The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-28
AREPORTER'S DREAM

Torn Chatter resolved to make column
of Tewkesbury church. So, having secured
adlnittance, he wandered about among the
tombs.
What wonderful men were theseP'
thought Tom as he communed with him
solf. what pity that they are all dead
and have been in history so long that moth
ing concerning them could now be coasid-
cred news! There's an old fellow, now
said Tom, sitting down upon a stone bench
in convenient nook, and regarding one
of these moss grown records of departed
greatness, "that would make my fortune
If he were living now, and could send
report of what he had to say for himself 60
The National Balloon
1t was the tomb of Bithric, earl OK
Gloucester, which Tom regarded as he
spoke. 1t was quiet place, pleasant, too,
on that bright summer day, and Tom be-
gan to feel little drowsy, though he AYERS
distinctly that he did not sleep.
A sigh aroused him at last, and he
looked up. An immense being, clad in
stone colored armor and leaning on a
shield, stood close beside him, regarding
Bithric's tomb-only the tomb, for the
statue was gone.
Tom started, shivered, and, rising has
tily, made a bow. The figure bowed in re-
ply Tom felt thankful that in its ponder
Gus politeness it did not topple down upon
him.
"I-I-I'm delighted, I'm sure, - said
Tom. Give little appointment with
a man where m putting up II you'll al
low me to pass, I'll go.
But the figure did not stir. It simply
{fc baad md
rolled forth from the lips under the helmet
these words:
81 am Bithric. earl of Gloucester.
GOOD gracious!' said Tom. Then, de-
spite his terror, the ruling passion reas-
! serted ITSELF and lac began with Bithric,
earl of Gloucester, as lie did with other FIRE
quently interviewed WORTHLESS, sit must
be very gratifying to read che records Of
your former triumphs, sir, said Tom.
"Read My father made soldiers of his
sons not clerks. But if you are clerk,
sir
sob. no; I'm not" said Ten, thinking
of dry goods stores and saying to himself
(this aloud), "rm a reporter"
The being gazcd on Tom for a moment
and then repeated:
81 am Bithric, earl of Gloucester -
This time Tom put it down in short
hand.
''I was one on whom women always
looked kindly" said tho warrior, crossing
| his hands upon his sword, but 1 had a
true heart. 1 loved but ole among all
women Let the others smile upon me as
they might, only Althea. Alas, she is
! changed, even as am!
| ''You should have seen me when 1 went
| upon an embassy to Normandy. My hair
fell to my shoulders, my beard fell to my
waist. They were of red gold. My shout
ders were cloth yard from tip to tip 1
was worthy of Altheas love. We plighted
our truth again. 1 placed ring upon her
finger and she gave me tress of her soft
| hair.
- Forget me not for any Norman dam
sci, saith she.
Saith 1, On earth there is no damsel
! worth looking on when one hath looked
on thee And kissed her, and we parted.
"a little after and I was among the
shaven Normans. And I had fulfilled my
| mission and was Hospitality entreated by
Baldwin, duke of Flanders and paid my
duty to his daughter, the beautiful Ma
tilda.
Handsome girl, sirP'' asked Tom.
"She was fair to look upon. Her eyes
were black and her hair, braided with
| Jewels was black as night. She led me on
to WOO her by many a womanly vile, but
/ could not forget my Saxon Althea.
81 seemed TO heed her not, so her love
waxed hotter. She wept and said none in
! Normandy had any of her heart. At last
she whispered that if 7 fain would be her
true knight might even be so.
81 thanked her for her courtesy and
kindness, and for the honor that she would
| have done me- but which / must decline.
! She pointed to the door:
"'Go,' she said. Leave the castle and
the land lut remember my love is all
changed to hate, and will have revenge
Il went back to England. I found
| Althea true. wooed and won her. But
oven ere she was my bride news came to
me that Matilda was married to Duke VIII
liam of Normandy And 1 was glad, for
no true knight would willingly deem 6
maiden 1ovelorn because of him.
land 1 dvvelt happy with my Althea
| until the rumors of war filed our land
| DuEo William of Normandy came unto our
| shores with his shaven band, like unto so
many priests, but fierce in the fight withal,
and good men at arms. And left Althea
and fought for Harold, my king, for q
long and weary while.
Wounded sore, I was made prisoner
and cast into dungeon in Winchester.
One hight my dungeon door opened and
there stood at it lady yelled. The
thought that it was Att On filled my heart,
and [ cried out. Then she put back her
veil. The light of torch fell ON her face.
It was Matildai
''Shu looked at me steadily.
Said not beware Of my vengeanceF
she Kissed. 1t is attained. Upon my
knees I have asked boon of my lord, and
he has given it me. You are my prisoner,
not his. l have laid waste all your lands.
For your person, it shall lie here in dirt
and dark and starve and thirst and ache,
and dsy by d..y die by inches
''wi,A PAL ] lifted myself unto my
knee. Lady 1 give you honor and no
scorn. ] was but a true knight to her
unto whom my vows were plighted. Let
nly wife com, but cree Cd me-"
THE soldiers WHO tieapoiled your home
had commands from Inc.
''Thcn Mrs.-I beg your pardon, the