The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-03-05
A MODERN KNIGHT.

brother, were both in the room. Susy
was binding her eyes and pricking her
fingers over an endless seam in shirt
which Tom intended to honor her by
wearing. Jehoshaphat, adorned with
long beard manufactured from the con-
tents of his mothers cottonwood bag,
and spectacles coniiscated from his
grandfather's pockets, was lecturing to
an array of the dining-room chairs, in
emulation of the wandering patriot who
addressed crowded meeting in the Mu-
sic Hall last week.
1t was an old, well-thumbed book that
Tom was reading. II 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
find them was instantly seized with n
desire to knock half dozen. other
knights on the head; when there were
encnantments 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
a most charming book.
"Do pull up that curtain, Sue! |
haven't got but half 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 thimble,
break her needle and tip over her work
basket did not in the least rulile his
composure. Great minds are never dis
turbed by tribes.
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 Ring Arthur, and the
knights of his Table Round; who for
many long year loved the Queen,
| Guinevere the Beautiful as never
Queen was loved before; who fought
with the fercest and strongest Of
knights that trod the shores of "Merrie
England" and led warriors into battle
and conquered kingdoms; who faced all
enemies, all hardships, all danger; who
would have yielded life itself for her
sweet sake.
'Swords and daggersn exclaimed
Tom at last. "What stupid age we
do live in! No chance for a chap to be
anything or do anything. The fair sex
ore not appreciated; they are not prop
erly defended. 1 will be their cham
pion-I will fight for them-l will die
for thcmr'
"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 at our firesides"
shouted Jehoshaphat, bringing down
both lists on his desk with a force that
knocked oil his spectacles. "Where'rc
are you going, Tomg"
Where are you goingP" asked Susy,
laying down her work. Tom looked
impatient. 1t was impossible, you
know, to make a girl understand his
great schemes Of adventure.
"Oh, won't you take me out skat
ingP" pleaded Susy. i've got my new
skates, and can't learn because | can
90 alone. All the other girls brothers
go with them; ! did want -"
Couldn't possibly" interrupted
Tom, sporting his fathers cane. "Iv'
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 1? A girl, / suppose"
"Will they fight and die and blee'
for themP" began Jehoshaphat again
gesturing frantically at his audience
while he set them up against I ewall.
Tom started out for walk, shoulder
inc his cane like musket; then he re
fected that knights did not have mus
kets, and tried TO carry il like sword
but il got between his feet and nearl
tripped him up. However, this was bu
slight drawback in the career Of Clio
ry upon which he had entered. HI
would find all the fair maidens VIII
were plunged in distress; he would b
their delivercr; they would smile upol
: him, and he would wear their favors
He would revive the old dead days O
chivalry he would be dubbed Sir PEI
cival, new hero of romance, befor
whom even Launcelot's fame shoul,
pale.
"Have you found any of 'em yetp'
called voice behind him. And ther
was Jehosbaphat. He had followed
unseen, all the way, and was now walk
ing demurely in his brothers footsteps
those unutterable spectacles across hi
nose, AMI a huge umbrella shouldere
after the manner Tom carried his cane
, 3D." said the indignant Sir Percival
"go home to the nursery"
: "When's IL going TO be time TO fgh
and diep" persisted Jehoshaphat, walk
, ing on.
: "Jehoshaphat," said Tom. sternly
81 should like to give you a good shak
ing"
, 6HI-I rather think you are" said J,
h0shaphat, struggling to free himse
: from his brothers hold. IL though
} big boys pever pitched into little ones.
Tom let 20 his uukniQhtly 0rasr