The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-17
The DRAGON OF MnnfleY.

What a terrible creature he wasl Just
read this description of him, and judge
for yourselves:
This dragon had two furious wings,
Each one upon each shoulder;
With sting in his tail as long as fail.
Which made him holder and holder.
''He had long claws. and in his jaws
Four-and-fOrty teeth of iron;
With a hide as tough as any bun.
Which did him round environ"
Terrible as he was to look at, the mon
ster was as cruel as he was ugly. There
Is picture Of him in one of the books in
the British Museum, I'm which he is re-
presented crunching up one monk with
those teeth of iron," and stamping on
another. while timid king is holding up
his hands in helpless astonishment
But before we go any further 1 may as
well tell you where Wantley is. Close to
Sheffield there is a place called Wharn-
cliffc. and that is supposed TO have been
the home of this monster. Wharncliffe
having been turned into Wanuey by con-
slant repetition Here the dragon lived.
In a hedge close to the hillside. coming
out whenever he felt hungry. which seems
to have been pretty often.
"Devoured he poor children there
That could not with him grapple,
And at one sup he ate them up
AS a man would eat an apple"
This was bad enough, but there was
worse still to follow:
"Ali sorts of cattle this dragon did eat
Some say he ate up trees.
And that the forest. sure, he would
Devour by degrees.
For houses and churches were to him
geese and turkeys;
He ate all. and left none behind"
Regular nonense verses they sound. do
they not? But of course. they are all
true--at least, as true as any other fairy
tale.
Well, things went on In this way till the
poor people OF Wantley began 10 feel that
they really could not bear IL any longer
There was a very fierce and very brave
knight living close at hand. and some Of
the wisest men thought that they might
perhaps get him TO kin the monster.
THE worst OF IL is" said one. Moore
OF Moore Hall seems 10 be nearly as fur
ious as the dragon himself. DO YOU re-
member his swinging that great horse by
his name and tail?"
"Ay. ay. that we doi' was the answer:
and then some one added. in a solemn
whisper: 'Didn't he eat him all up. TOO,
except his head?"
I don't suppose people In those days
talked about jumping out OF the frying
pan iato the fire. but II they did. ] 'm
sure some one must have proposed at
that meeting that they ought To be care
ful lest IN their anxiety to get rid of
the monster. they fell into the clutches
OF another
But. nevertheless, when a day or two
afterward some more children had been
devoured by the dragon. a crowd OF men.
women. and children. went signing and
sobbing 10 the knights house;
"Oh. save us all. Moore OF Moore Hall,
Thou peerless knight OF these woods;
do but STAY this dragon, who wont leave
US a rag on.
Wen give Thea all our goods"
mo. no." raid the knight; II do not
want any reward. But / must first 40 20
shelheld. and have some strong armor
made with long spikes all over Il; then
WIZ light the dragon for you"
what sword will you have. Sir
KNIGHT they inquired. anxiousiy.
meme at all. good people / viii fight
n'm with my feet and hands alone"
well might the people groan with fear.
10 go without a weapon against ruch
: monster as the dragon OF Wantleyi
snefe was not much chance OF success
sney thought But they changed their
snAas vhsa they saw tbs knight return