Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-04-20


and played my point about his leg. half
minded to give him little prod by way Of
earnest. Make up your mind"
"Yes." he shrieked cut, suspecting my
purpose and bouncing about in his saddle
like parched pea. Yes, l sayr" he
roared. DO you hear me? You go your
way, and will 60 mine.''
THAT is a bargain,' said quietly,
land mind you keep to it,
put up my sword with my face turned
from him, lest he should see the curl of
my lip and the light in my eyes. In
truth, I was uncommonly we'll pleased
with myself and was thinking that if I
came through all my adventures as well I
should do merrily. Outwardly, however,
I tried to ignore my victory and to make
things as easy as could for my friend-if
one may call a man who will not fight him
friend, a thing doubt. Which way
are you going?' asked amicably-''to
Stratford.''
He nodded, for he was too sulky to
speak.
'.All rieh:r' said cheerfully, feeling
that my dignity could take care of itself
now. Then SO far we may go together.
Only do you remember the terms. After
dinner each goes his own way"
went On in silence, eying one another
askancc, like two i'll matched dogs coupled
together. But luckily our forced COM
partnership Gid not last long, a quarter of
n mile and a bend in the road bringing us
to tho first low, gray houses of Stratford.
long, struggling village it seemed, made
up Of inns strewn along the road, like
beads threaded on a rosary. And, to be
sure, to complete the likeness, We came
presently upon an ancient stone cross
standing on the green. pulled up in
front of this with q sigh of pleasure, for
on either side OF it, one facing the other,
was an inn of the better class.
Well" said, which shall it be-the
Rose and Crown, or the Crown without the
rosc."
Choose for yourself" he answered
churlishly. Il go to the other"
shrugged my shoulders. After all, you
cannot make n silk purse out of a sow's
ear, and if IA man has not courage he is not
likely to have good fellowship. But the
words angercd me nevertheless, for n
shabby, hulking fellow lounging at my
elbow overheard them and grinned. A
hiccoughing, blear eyed man he was as I
had ever met. with red nose and the
rags of q tattered cassock about him
Crown at hazard, and pushing my way
through the knot of horses that stood teth-
cred at the door went in, leaving the two
to their devices.
found a roaring Ere in the great room
and three or four yeoman standing about
it, drinking ale. But l was hot from
walking, SO after saluting them and or
dering my meal / went and sat for choice
on a bench by the window away from the
fire. The window was one of a kind COM
mon in Warwickshire houses, long and
low and beetle Lrowed, the story above
projecting over it. l sat there minute
looking idly out at the inn opposite, a
heavy stone building with a walled court
yard attached to it, such an inn as was
common enough about the time of the
wars of the roses, when wayfarers looked
rather for safety than comfort. Presently
I saw a boy come out of it and start up the
road at run. Then, a minute later, the
ragged fellow had seen on the green came
out and lurched across the road. He
seemed to be making though uncertainty,
for my inn, and, sure enough, just as my
bread and bacon-the latter hot and hiss
iug-were put before me, he staggered
into the room, bringing strong smell Of
ale and onions with him. Pax vobis-
cumr' he said, leering at me with tipsy
solemnity.
guessed what he was-a monk, one Of
those unfortunates still to be found here
and there up and down the country, whom
King Henry, when he put down the mon
asteries, had made homeless. l did not
look on the class with much favor, think
ing that for most of them the cloister, even
If the queen should succeed in setting the
L., har- CO..
attractions. But l saw that the simple
farmers received his scrap of Latin with
respect, and 1 nodded civilly as went on
with my meal.
Twas not to get of so easily, however.
He caine and plantos himself opposite to
me.
Pax vobiscum, my son." he repeated.
The ale is cheap here and good
so is the ham, good father" I replied
cheerfully, not pausing in my attack on
the victuals. Twill answer for So much"
We'll, well,' the knave replied, with
ready wit, Il breakfasted early. l am con-
tent. Landlord, another plate and n full
tankard- The young gentleman would
have me dine with him."
could not tell whether to be angry or
to laugh at his impudence
it," repeated the rascal, with n twinkle in
his eye, as the landlord hesitated. He was
by no means so drunk as he looked.
No. no, father. ~ cried, joining in the
genera. laugh into which the farmers by
the FIRE broke. \ cup of ale is in reason.
and fer that ] will pay, but for no more
Drink 1t and wish me eodspeed s"
Il Will do more than that, lad he an
swerei. Swaying to and fro my cup,
which he had seized in his grasp. he laid
his hand on the window ledge beside me,
as though TO steady himself. and stopped
Unit. his coarse. puffy face was but few
inches from mine More than that" he
whispered hosrseiy, and his eyes. peering
into mine, were now sober and full Of
meaning If you do not want to te put
in the stocks or worse, make tracks,
Make cracks. ladi'' ne continued. Your
friend over rhere-he is a niggardly oaf-
has sent for the hundredman and the con-
stable, and you are the quarry So the
word Is, Go! That" he added nloud,
standing erect again, with a drunken
smile. lis for your cup Of ale, and good
coin toop'
For half a minute I sat quite still.
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