Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-08-04
ROBIN HOOD AND THE CLOUTED
BEGGAR.

Robin Hood sometimes did wrong, and
at such times, as is usually the case with
those who willfully misbehave, he re-
ceived evil in return. Tfr
One day, he met strengthening
beggar in the road. The fellow was
covered with many thicknesses of rags,
or clouts; in fact, his cloak was so patched
and repatched that, in its thinnest
part, it was more than twenty-fold. His
hat was really three hats put together
so as to form one heavy covering for his
head. He carried sack of meal swing
ing from his neck by leather strap,
fastened by strong buckle.
1t was near night-fall when Robin
stepped out of the woods, and called to
the beggar to stop and talk awhile with
him. But the clouted tramp paid no
heed to his words, and walked right on
as if he had not heard.
''Stop when l speak to your cried
Robin, growing angry.
II won't do it, responded the beg
gar, quite boldly. 1T is some distance
to where lodge, and I don't care to
miss my supper
'Lend me some money!" jeerinely
cried Robin. IL must have supper,
too"
1--WE no money for you," responded
the beggar, grufiiy. "You are as
good-for-nothing. If you wait for your
supper till l give you money to buy it,
you'll be apt. to fast the rest of the
year!''
This last speech made Robin very
angry.
IF you have but one farthing," he
exclaimed, 'I'll take it from YOU SO
you may as well lay aside your ragged
old cloak and offer no further resist
ance. Unite your sack, and let me see
what is IN it, and if you make any
noise, / will see what effect a broad
headed arrow can have on beggar's
hider'
But the beggar only grinned at the
outlaw, and very quietly said:
You'd better let me alone. I'm not
afraid of your bent stick and little point
ed shafts which are only fit for pudding
skewers. If You offer me any harm,
I'll haste you till you'll be glad to let
me 60"
Robin at once flew into towering
passion, and bent his bow to shoot the
beggar; but, before he could draw an
arrow, the clouted tramp struck at him
with his oak staff and knocked his bow
into splintcrs. Robin drew his sword;
but, before he could use it, the beggar
struck his sword hand, disabling it, and
knocking the weapon away. Poor
Robin was in bad fix. The sturdy
vagrant now fell upon him, all defense
less rs he was, and belabored him
nightly. He basted his head, his
shoulders, his back, his legs, till at last
Robin fell down senselcss.
30 fie! stand up, man! Don't lie
down to sleep this time o. day! Wait
till you get my money, and then 90 to
your tavern and be merryr' shouted the
beggar, in derison; and thinking Robin
was dead, he trudged on his way, not
caring whit for what he had done.
Shortly after, Little John, Much and
Scathclock came UP TO where Robin lay.
He was moaning and writing, the
blood flowing freely from his basted
head. They poured cold water on his
face, chafcd his hands and finally re-
stored him to consciousness.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, with deep
sigh, II never before was so thrashed
1t is forty years that have wandered in
the greenwood, but no man ever so
maulcd my back as has that beggar
whom you see trudging away up the hill
yondcr. / did not think he could do me
any harm, but he took his pikestaff and
beat me so ! fear / never shall be well
again. If you love me, you will run
and catch him and fetch him back to
me. But beware of his staff; get hold of
it first, or he'll pound the life out of all
of YOU"
Never fear" said Little John;
"Scathclock and will take him. Much
may stay and take care of you"
So the two seized their bows and ran
after the beggar, who was leisurely pur-
suing his way over the distant hill.
They did not 90 along the road, how
ever, but took route through the
woods, and running very fast got ahead
Of their victim and hid on each side OF