Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-03-21
gHE LAST OF THE SALONS
n Romance of history.
nyJ.1.rwrN McLEIsn.


4 was the close of dark and stormy
...smber day in the year 1864. Old
,,vo, GUY with large number of retain
stood on the battlements of Ponthlen
~ m the coast of Normandy, looking
wsrd The object OF their gaze was a
s'e sbip leaving the English standard,
"a which despite the efforts OF the crew
~ rapidly being driven on the rocks.
amt Guy addressed one OF his retainers
4 me- following manner;
4 epaoul Fitz-0sborne, take twenty of
y nen-at-arms and HE thee to the shore.
Ers. bark resembles that belonging to
<p-oce Harold Of England, and If so he
|-rl hiring a large ransom. Place your
.so in ambush and as the sailors land
IN nrDn them, make them captive and
r-ag tbem to the castle.n The count
NM giving these instructions re-entered
XII castle, leaving the men-at-9rms TO Sc
rrp their game. The feudal system was
4, this period at its height, and the Nor
Iusn barons settled on the simple plan
I'm those should keep who had the
8D5wer to retain. Guy of Ponthien was
~ Of the most powerful men Of the
Norman nobility, and had more than once
8gaed Duke William of Normandy.
|{Ihe count soon heard loud clamoring in
I'M courtyard, and immediately after
3R,oul Fitz- Osborne burst into the apart
krent. CRYING: "Count Guy! Count Guy
ftlhee hasten to the courtyard; It's as
oa coniectured; the ship bore Prince
EHrold, and as he landed we rushed upon
I'SIn and, after brief struggle, brought
( lmhither,"
n Guy followed his faithful retainer, and
soou after found himself in the presence
EaEarl Godwin's son. Prince Harold of
EErgand was of truly noble bearing, being
I feet three inches in height, and his
\ be- was of that pale complexion which
distinguished the Saxon race. ON per-
Hriyng Count Guy, Harold exclaimed;
4 aCount of Ponthien! in the name OF
8Kng Edward of England, demand you
( release mel / was on my way to
ZROuen as ambassador from Edward the
Onlessor to william, duke OF Normandy.
NJ ship was driven by adverse winds
mon your coast, and on my landing these
ben pointing to retainers) attacked and
Tiled my party and brought me captive
eren
As he concluded Prince Harold gazed at
Aecountas If expectinga reply. Guy mere
remarked: "Harold of England! You
we're captured by my retainers upon my
asst. According TO the laws OF chivary
pl are my prisoner, and will be held I'M
u the sum requh ed for your ransom be
celyed.n Harold was about to make
Nne angry retort, but Guy of Ponthien
notloned to his men, who bore the unfor-
nnate prince to one of the dungeons OF
Foathien castle. Three weeks passed,
,lier which time Duke William ransomed
Prince Harold and brought him to Rouen,
shere he was entertained with great
tonp Meanwhile the Norman duke was
not blind to his own interests. One day
william, accompanied by Harold and 3Ot
Norman knights, repaired to the church a.
sgeuS. Harold swore over casket o.
slSer covered with damask cloth to re-
aHquish all claims to the throne OF En-
gland and to aid William in obtaining
Ald throne at the death of Edward thu
oonlessor. After this, 0do, bishop O
Bayeux, raising the cloth, exhibited, Z
Harolds horror, skeleton clothed II
complete suit of armor ant
Aaldlng a silver cross clasped in II
Dony fingers. To increase Harold's con
sItTnation Odo exclaimed in a solem
olce; "My Lord you have sworn
1emn oath over the remains OF 81
cuthbert, the patron saint OF Normandy
you violate your VOW your soul
loomed to perdition, Beware Lor
Harold, bewarcln After this the knight
aAnted a weird air and the cortege re
arned to Rouen. Shortly afterwards Primo
Harold returned to London, where he wa
seartily welcomed by King Edward, tn
goniessor. Meanwhile, Coun
Spy was waging a fierce war with Raou
Ieaat OF Martcl, one of the neighborln
'lons. A few months following tn
HHents recorded above, Count Guy, cha
asuit Of Milan steel, set out for Marie
asle at the head Of two hundred mel
warns. After q Journey OF two DAY
~ as the somber shades OF night oega
Ell y tall the tall towers of Martel met IN
pc OF CONT Guy and his retainer'
sot a sound was heard save the occi
sonal clang of sword or the voice
.eant Guy as he issued his orders. II
gAa was to scale the walls OF Mart
sssue and secure the sentinel
9sslbls before any alarm could be givel
y iheY neared the walls no one was see
ale single sentinel who paced the pa
ssmenls with slow and measured trea'
Ae ladders were placed upon the wal
~ Count Guy, followed by Raoul Flt
seorne and the retainers, rushed npe
y sentinel crying;
hiYe no alarm and all will 90 we
Alh you; but II you attempt TO spe'
w must die.n The faithful seryit
sN not to be bribed. He raised his 90
M and aimed terrific blow at Cou
WY at the same time crying;
10 arms To arms The enemy
ri y sentence was neyer1nished, Tor Rao
a V'Osbome dealt him blow on the he'
~ ne sentinel fell TO the ground--sens
~ Meanwhile Raoul De Martel selz
massive battle-ax and, followed by :
sAiners, rushed into the courtyard CT
Back towards, that dare not me
M enemies in the field; get tn
rsce," And as If TO drive the !
.asfs before him the young cou
800 forward dealing terrific blows vi
n oattle-ax Ten men fell beneath
w. and among them Fltz-0sbome. .
X .+ t|4IIu ltnf1Nf a nj Dnnlll