Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-09

"I am still an Enderby of Enderby,
and man of Lincolnshire, your maj
esty," said the squire, as the king rode
towards Boston church, where present
ly he should pray after this fashion with
his subjects there assembled:
Most heartily we beseech Thee with
Thy favor to behold our most gracious
sovereign King Charles. Endue him
plenteously with Heavenly gifts; grant
him in health and wealth long to live;
strengthen him that he may vanquish
and overcome all his enemies; and,
finally, after this life, he may attain
everlasting JOY and felicity"
With n heavy heart Endcrby turned
homcwards; that is, towards Mable-
thrope upon the coast, which lies be-
tween Saltneet Haven and Skeg-
ness, two ports that are places of
mark in the history of the kingdom, as
all the world knows.
He had never been so vexed in his life
1t was not so much anger against the
king, for he had great reverence for the
monarchy of ER or y butag ainstLord
Rippngdale his ia was violent.
Earl of Lindsc. and Lord Rippingdale,
upon public matter which parliament
settled afterwards, he had sided with
the Earl of Lindsey. The two earls had
been reconcilcd afterwards, but Lord
Rippingdale had never forgiven End
crby.
In Enderbys brain IDEAS worked
somewhat heavily; but to-day his
slumberous strength was infused
with u spirit of action and the warmth
of u pervnsive idea. There was no
darkness in his thoughts, but his pulse
beat heavily and he could feel the veins
throbbing under his ear impetuously.
Once or twice MS he rode on in the
declining afternoon he muttcrcd
to himself. Now it was: my
Lord Rippingdale, indeed" or Not.
even for king!" or "Sir John
Enderby, forsooth! Sir John Enderby,
forsooth!" Once again he spoke, roin-
/ ing in his horse beside tall cross at
four corners, near Stickford by the East
Fen. Taking off his hat he prayed:
Thou just God, do Thou judge be-
tween my king and myself. Thou
knowest that | have striven as an hon
est gentleman to do right before all
men. When l have seen my sin, oh,
Lord, have rcpented. Now l have
come upon perilous times, the pitfalls
are set for my feet. Oh, Lord, establish
me in true strength. Not for my sake
do | ask that Thou wilt be with me and
Thy wisdom comfort me, but for the
sake of my good children. Wilt Thou
spare my life in these troubles until
they be well formed; till the lad
have the bones of II man, and the girl
the wise thought of woman-for she
hath no mother to shield and teach her.
And if this be wrong prayer, oh, God,
forgive it: for l am but a laundering
squire, whose tongue tells lamely what
his heart feels"
His head was bowed over his horses
neck, his face turned to the cross, his
eyes were shut, and he did not notice
the strange and grotesque figure that
suddenly appeared from among the low
bushes by the fen near by.
1t was an odd creature pcrched upon
stills; one of those persons called the
stit-walkers. They were no friends of
the king, nor of the earl of Lindsey, nor
of my Lord Rippingdale, for the drain
ing of these fcns took from them their
means of living. They were messen-
gers, postmen and carriers across the
wide stretch of country from Spilsby,
even down to the river Witham, and
from Boston Deep down to Market
Deeping and over to the sea, Since
these fcns were drained one might
travel from Market Deeping to The
Wolds without wetting foot.
"Aw'll trooble thee moment, mais-
ter" said the peasant. "A stilt-walker
beant nowt j. the world. Howsome'er,
awe a woord to speak i thy ear"
Endcrby refined in his horse, and with
nod of complaisance (for he was a
man ever kind to the poor, and patient
with those who Jared i'll in the WORLDLY
he waited for the other to speak.
"Thoo'rt the great Enderby of En-
derby, MASTER" said the peasant, duck
ing his head and then putting on his
cap, "aw've known thee sin tina vast
40 bigger nor bit grass'opper T. the
H'Il' w III VIA ihc iOllS, DIT JOD1l
lindcrby, and anvil walk aside thee, ma
gray nag with thy sorrel." lie glanced
down humorously at his own lona
wooden legs.
Enderby turned his horse round ant
proceeded on his way slowly, the ole
man striding along beside him like
stork.
9 "Why do you dub me knight ?" h
asked, his eyes searching the face o
the old man.
2 "Why shouldna aw call thee knigh
: if the king calls thee knight? 1t is tn,
| dooty of common man to call the
= Sir John, and talk off his hat at saying c
it," His hat came Off, and he nodde,
, in such an odd way that Enderb,
Y burst out into a good honest laugh
1 "Dooth tina rememba little Tom Dowsb
+ that went hoonting with thee when tn
vert not yet come to age?" continue
= the stilt-walker. "Doost tina rememb
t when, for jest, thee and me stopped tn
t lord bishop, tina own uncle, in the high
!, way at midnight, and took his poors
from him, and the rich gold chain fror
= his neck? And doost tina rememb
that tina would have his apron 100, fo
tina said that if it kept II bishop clear
wouldna it keep highwaymen clear
whose work was not so clean as
bishops? Sir John Enderby, aw loov
. thee better than the king, an aw loov