Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-02-29
A MODERN KNIGHT.

wearing. Jehoshaphat, adorned with q I
long beard manufactured from the con-
tents of his mothers cottonwood bag,
and spectacles confiscated from his
grandfather's pockets, was lecturing to
an array of the dining-room chairs, in
emulation of the wandering patriot who
addressed a crowded meeting in the Mu-
sic Hall last week.
1t was an old, well-thumbed boolsthat
Tom was reading. 1t was filled with
stories most wonderful TO hear, of the
golden days of chivalry, when every
body was a knight, and every knight
fell TO fighting with every other knight;
when beautiful young ladies' were very
often lost in the woods, and every
knight that happened to come a,ong and
lint them was instantly seized with
desire TO knock hall a dozen other
knights on the head; when there were
entertainments and spells of fairies upon
earth; when the human race consisted
entirely OF gentlemen and ladies; and
when disagreeable people, who will
have coarse hands and ragged clothes,
were never heard of. Altogether it was
most charming book.
"Do pull up that curtain, Sue,
haven't got but half a streak of light in
this corner remarked Tom. He con-
sidered employment good for his sisters
health. and used kindly to prescribe for
her, even when her business was most
pressing. That Susy, rising in haste to
obey his orders, should lose her thimblc,
break her needle and tip over her work
basket did not in the least ruille his
composure. Great minds are never dis
turbed 10y TRIES.
All but they were pleasant reading
these stories! There were the wonder
full adventures OF Sir launcelOt--
Launcelot the brave and bright, fairy-
guarded, iron-armed, deadly in stroke
and gracious in pardon; he who was the
pride of the good King Arthur. and the
knights of his Table Round; who for
many a long year loved the Queen,
Guinevere the Beautiful, rs never
Queen was loved before; who fought
with the iiercest and strongest of
knights that trod the shores of ''Merric
England" and led warriors into battle
and conquered Kingdoms; who faced all
enemies, all hardships. all danger; who
would lave yielded life itself for her
sweet sake.
Swords and daggersr' exclaimed
Tom at last. What a stupid age we
do live in! No chance for a chap to be
anything or do anything. The fair sex
are not appreciated; they are not prop
erly defended. | will be their cham
pion-I will fight for them-I will die
for themr'
"Oh, Tom! please do look out; you've
got your feet on my sewing!" cried
Susy.
''Make those button holes smaller
than the last" said Tom, tripping out
of labyrinth of cotton and putting on
his cap.
Dear as the sisters az our firesides!"
shouted Jehoshaphat, bringing down
both fists on his desk with a force that
knocked of his spectacles. ''Where'rc
are you going, Tom?"
where are you going?' asked Susy,
| laying down her work. Tom looked
impatient. 1t was impossible, Won
know, to make a girl understand his
great schemes of adventure.
"Oh, won't you take me out skat-
ing?" pleaded Susy. I've got my new
skates, and l can't learn because can't
go alone. All the other girls brothers
go with them; did want -
Couldn't possibly" interrupted
Tom, sporting his fathers cane. ''I've
got so much business on hand to-day;
it's out of the question-out of the
question"
"Sue," said Jehoshaphat, meditative-
ly, "what are youP"
"What am l? A girl, l suppose
"Will they fight and die and bleed
for them?" began Jehoshaphat again,
gesturng frantically at his audience,
while he set them up against thewall.
Tom started out for walk, shoulder
ing his cane like musket; then he re-
tlected that knights did not have mus
kets, and tried 10 carry il like n sword;
but il got between his feet and nearly
tripped him up. However, this was but
a slight drawback in the career Of glo-
ry upon which he had entered. He
would find all the fair maidens who
were plunged in distress: he would be
their delivercr; they would smile upon
him, and he would wear their favors
He wOald revive the old dead DAYS of
chivalry; he would be dubbed Sir Per-
cival, new hero of romance, before
whom even Launcelot's fame should
pale.
"Have you found any of em yetp''
called voice behind him. And there
was Jehoshaphat. He had followed,
unseen, all the way, and was now walk
ing demurely in his brothers footsteps,
those unutterable spectacles across his
nose, AMI huge umbrella. shouldered
after the manner Tom carried his cane.
3D." said the indignant Sir Percival,
''go home TO the nursery
"When's it going TO be time to fight
and die?" persisted Jehoshaphat, walk
ing on.
''Jehoshaphat," said Tom, sternly.
81 should like to give you good shak-
ing"
IL rather think you are, said Je-
hoshaphat, struggling to. free himself
from his brothers hold. 81 thought
big boys never pitched into little ones. :"
Tom let go his unSnightly grasp,
and walked on. He would not waste
another breath on that child-not be.
Jehoshaphat put his spectacles into
place, ,smoothed the folds of his UNI
brella, and trudged along comical
shadow of Sir Percival. Presently they
met an old woman with basket of po-
tatoes. She was very old woman,
and she walked with tottering step on
the lee. Just as they got up to her,
she slipped and fell, dropping her
basket, and scattering her potatoes far
and wide.
''Ohl my landsl Obi mercy mel" she
began TO cry. They're all there is for
dinner; and / did nigh about break
every bone in my body"
Tom stepped over her with his hands
in his pockets.
"Hillor' said Jehoshaphat, heres
onei''
But Tom paid no attention. He was
] just then thinking of the brave Lord
Somebody who rescued the beautiful
Lady Somebody-else from robbers Je-
hoskaphat helped the old woman up.
picked up the potatoes for her, and
then ran after his brother. After
awhile they came to the top of bin,
which ssoped down to he pond. Sud-
denly Tom struck an attitude, and