The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-01-16

because OF Ignorant Enthual nsnl-Whcn
Intelligent Knights Took Part, Victory
Camo-Dfeu who Tod.
Peter the Hermit was a monk Of Pi-
cardy, who had made a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem. While there he had wit
messed the sufferings of those who tried
to preserve the true faith among the
hordes Of barbarians who had swarmed
upon and now possessed the lands Of
Asia Minor. He saw the shocking prof
anations Of the sacred places Of the Holy
City, and his heart burned within him
to release It from its oppression, At
nighttime dreams came TO him from
which It was pointed out to him that his
mission was to rouse the nations Of En-
rope to a holy war,
Fired with this ambition, he made his
way back to France. The reports Of his
powerful preaching spread, and greater
numbers flock each day TO hear him,
in November Of 1905, such a
company is gathered as probably has
never been seen together before,
The plain Of La Limagne, in Auvergne,
was covered with white tents, in which
were lodged 10000 people, 1000 priests
and 400 bishops and abbots were there,
while also there was there one man who
was mightier than all Of them, Urban
II, pope Of Rome, to whom all western
Europe did homage.
A lofty stand had been erected in the
open air, for no building would accom-
modato the throng. Upon this sat the
pope, and beside him stood the hermit,
holding aloft the cross. With burning
words and fearful eyes he described the
shameful sights he had witnessed in
Jerusalem, and called for volunteers 70
go with him TO wrest the Holy City from
the infidel.
His appeal was seconded by Urban,
who promised all who fought that if
they won the land they conquered should
be theirs; while if they died place in
heaven should surely be their reward
The cross was held out to them and they
were invited to come forward and take
1t to wear upon their persons as the badge
of their devotion.
Adhimar de Monteri, bishop of Puy,
was the first to come forward, and thou
sands poured after him.
The excitement spread and all Europe
resounded with the preparations for this
undertaking. Peter, with excess of zeal
and absolute lack Of wisdom, gathered a
multitude of peasant men, women and
children, unarmed and unprovided with
the sustenance for the march which he
undertook to lead in person to Jerusa-
lem across the mountainous parts Of
central Europe.
Extorting food from the people among
whom they passed, and set upon by
them in revenge, the pilgrims fell in
every road, cut down by sickness, star
vation and the sword. Others no doubt
ran back to their deserted homes, until
in Hungary Peter found himself alone.
Meanwhile very different army had
been gathering on all sides, made up of
the very flower of chivalry of all the
European nations,
Godfrey de Bouillon, duke of Lor-
iaine, the Count of Toulaun, Barmond,
Tancred, Felei de la Fhchs and many
another warrior whose name stands high
in history led their armies to join the
host
William Rufus was now king of Eng
land, man SO avaricious and unscrupu-
lous that he never hesitated to take by
force any possession Of his mobiles that
was left unguarded. Under such a mas
ter it is not strange that the English no
bles were loath TO leave their castles for
so long journey, and hence few Eng
hsh names have figured in the first cru
sade.
Impetuous, improyident, trustful Rob
ert Of Normandy, however, who never
could remember evil of his brother the
next day after he had most cruelty
abused him, now turns to William for
aid His generous heart burning to re-
Heve the sufferings of the Holy Land
leads him to sacrifice evefy future pros
pect for the purpose Of obtaining the
means of gratifying the present impulse.
He mortgages his duchy of Normandy
to his brother William Rufus, king Of
England, and with his money thus OBJ
tanned fits ont his portion of the holy
army.
The science of navigation was in that
age too crude to be able to provide
means of transit for so large an army
by water, and the whole force, 100000
infantry and 1000 cavalry, marched
by land across central Europe and over
the Hellespont into Asia Minor.
The pitiless sun, the flinty soil, a
strange climate, lack Of food, want Of
water, all fought on the side Of the Turk
against the Crusaders, and the path Of
the devoted army was marked by trail
Of graves.
At Nicea, at Antioch, and in other
places the contending armies met, As
general thing the Crusaders were Vieto-
rious, and on a January morning IN 1908
the advancing army, Tancred in the
lead, ascending a hill, looked for the
first time upon the city Of Jerusalem.
General and soldier, prince and
peasant, fell prostrate upon the ground.
Some wept for joy at the sighti others
with sorrow, because above the temple
and the sepulcher the crescent Of No
hammed glistened In the sun.
The siege which followed lasted for
months, and when at last the city was
taken the few inside whom the assaults
had spared fell by the swords Of the con-
querors.
In making arrangements for govern
ing the city the conquerors decided to
elect one of their number king, and the
crown was offered TO Robert Of Nor
mandy, who declined it. Afterward
Godfrey de Bouillon, who seems to have
been an irreproaehable knight, was
chosen to this high place with its cares,
but would not take this title nor the
crown. He made a most successful
ruler until his death, only one year
later,
Courier.
November in American History.
A most notable Noyember IN our his.
tory was that one In 1895, the first day
Of which was observed throughout the
thirteen colonies az a period Of mourn
ing, on account Of the going into
effect Of the hated stamp act It in.
creased the burden OF taxation upon
those who had no voice Ia their own gov
ernment and aroused them to such
sense Of injustice that ten years later they
rebelled and the war Of the Revolution
was begun. On the first day Of NoveIn-
Der, therefore, the church bells were sol
emnly tolled, flags foated at half mast
and business was everywhere 6us-
pended. All over the land such men as
Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, james
Otis and John Adams addressed patriotic
speeches 10 throngs Of their country
men and fred their hearts with thoughts
Of glorious independence. KIRK Mum
roe in Harper's Young People.
A Suit Made Of RatsEins.
A thrifty Welshman at one time ez-
hibited himself publicly in England at
tired In a costume composed from top TO
toe Of ratslzins, which he had spent three