The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-09
A MAY-DAY STORY.
BY LUCY G. LILLE.

BY LUCY G. LILLE.
Perhaps some of my readers may re.
member a sketch of mine which appeared
in the Independent two years ago this
May-dsy. 1t was chiefly the story Of a
boy who was connected with the May. day
festivities in England, and who was the
means toward most desirable end-that
of preventing daring robbery. 1t so
CHANGED that this paper was read by some
PARKWAY friends of mine who took an in
terest in hunting up the association of
the period might almost call it festi-
val, since as such it is still regarded in
many parts of England. Among various
"reminiscences, suggestions and anecdotes
brought to me aprOpos Of the question,
the story am about to tell seems to me
worthiest OF recording, and have the
full permission of the narrator to use it
and vouch for its authenticity, singular
and improbable as it seems. I must be-
gin very far back in the annals of Eng
lish history, and remind my readers of
the fact that May-dsy sport has distinct
connection with what are called Robin
Hood games. These games consisted Of
a psntomime which was 30 thoroughly
understood by the English people that it
could take place with entire spontaneity;
the actors in it having their parts assign
ed to them; Robin Hood, Maid Marian
and Little John, all of whom were we'll
known characters to the English public.
On the first day of May company of
country people would assemble, dressed
to represent these characters, and go
through the pantomime known as Robin
Hood games. 1t began by the entrance
of six young men dressed in leather Co.'S
tunes, and with indications of their pro-
fession as woodlanders. They wore gar
lands of ivy leaves and carried axes upon
their shoulders. Following them came
six young girls belonging to the village,
attired in spring-like costumes, prim-
roses making their wreaths, their dresses
looped up with such woodland flowers as
were at that period of the year to be
found. Six foresters equipped in green
tunics followed these. and after them the
special characters of the pantomime. A
May-pole was placed in the center of
whatever green or square they had Sc
lected for their performance, and upon
this the pantomimists gathered, going
through most amusing and pretty play,
the simple ndivete of the performers ad-
ding much to the charm OF the occasion.
Should strangers be among the perform
ers, they were always introduced with an
impromptu song detailing their object in
being there, whence they came, etc., and,
generally speaking, ending with sort of
flourish which called particular attention
to themselves. Sometimes these strang-
ers we're made use of as collectors OF the
"pence" which was taken up after the
Msy-dsy performances, since it was taken
for granted that more would be given to
them than to the originators OF the play.
In B these May-day Robin Hood
games took place, year after year, assem-
bling all the country people and towns
people, and establishing kind of char
acter Of their own by the prominence
with which, year after year, the same
psntomime was enacted. The Green, in
which the performance generally took
place, was large enclosure surrounded
by the streets of the village, one of which
led up toward the park of Mr.. H,
country gentleman, who always befriend-
ed the Robin Hood people and did what
he could to encourage their simple fes-
tivities. At the lower part of his park
was large inclosure, we'll swarded and
tended, and which at present is used for
a tennis court. Here, on two or three
occasions, the Robin Hood people per
formed their games; Maid Marian, Little
John and the rest being attired in COS
tunes which were especially attractive in
consideration Of the privilege accorded
them. Mr.. rs little daughter, a child
of scarcely more than four years of age,
was carried down 10 the Green to witness
the May day festivity, and, being of a very
lively temperament, quick and magma
tive, amused the household afterwsrd By
initiating many Of the sports or antics
she had seen. Maid Marian had espec-
tally attracted her attention, and for days
after this she kept the nursery in rosrs of
laughter by going through with the pc
euliar performance Of the maid, dancing