Milford chronicle., 1896-05-15
ENGLISH PLUCK.
The Story of Young Lad Of Long Ago
Who Faced an Angry Lord.

The Story Of Young Lad OF Long ago
Who Faced an Angry Lord.
In St. Nicholas John Bennett has a
story of life in England centuries ago en-
titled His Fathers Price" Several lads
have thrown clods of clay at a proud bar
On, who captures one of them. Phis scene
follows;
she fellow they had clodded was Sir
Richard Scroope, the lawyer lord Of Bolton
Manor. The lad turned sick, but did not
finch q hair 1t is a strange English way,
tsat, of taking ones dose and making no
to do.
sir Richards garb was dull in tone, but
rich in stuff His cloak and hood were
friugcd with miniver, although the day
was warm. His ray cloth surcoat was wine
color and blue. The closely girdlcd gabor-
dine beneath it was of fine watchet blue,
with a bread band Of shilnmering cloth of
gold His strong white hands were bare,
but his legs were covered with double
thongod cookers of russell cordovan from
nnklo to midthigh. His spurs were heavily
sildod and he wore short double edged
Sheffield dagger.
Art thou one Of those who did this unto
meY'' he asked in n stern, hard voice.
AYE, " replied the boy huskily.
''Who set yo on to do this thing?
mo one, sire "
''NO lies to me, knavel Who set ye ony'
81 have ma lied y" the boys voice quiv-
cred.
"Why did ye do it, thenw
Tho lad mado no reply. He was Won
;iering II the rest had got away safe; won
dering that ho WAS still alive, and If 1t
were not all dream that the lord baron
was asking him why.
'Dost hear me, knaves" said Sir Rich
ard.
Yea, sire"
'Then why dost thou not answer~
"For marvel that may, sire, " replied
tho boy.
A queer look came into Sir Richards
stern eyes at that, and he looked even
more shrowdly than before at the upturned
sunburned face, honestly fearful, yet un-
afraid. ''Then why did ye do this cow
ardly thing? Speak, knavel My time Is
shorter than my temper with theel"
AT the word "cowardly'' the lad flushed.
"For sport, SIRE" he replied.
"For sportl" cried Sir Richard sternly.
"ThisY" and rs he spoke be pointed mean
ingly to his swollen forehead
"That was your end of tho game, sire,
a certain senss Of humOr.
The dark eyes cleaned queerly again.
'sYe knew not who was, perchanoer
'Not then, sire, but now right we'll, my
lord bsron.
III thou hadst known me, thou wouldst
never have thrownf"
"Aye, but would, with a right good
will )" wered the boy doggedly, "but !
would not now for gold rose noble"
AS he spoke he threw back his head.
GLOW nowY' said the baron sharply
"Why notY"
because We bore yOurselfas right lord
baron shouldV cried the boy, looking up
frankly, though choking a little as he
spuke.
A grim smile twitohed at the corners of
the baron's iron mouth on that blunt re-
ply, and sparkle of satisfaction lighted
his naughty eyes. Little used to such
fair, plain speech from either young or
old, the boys pluck struck his fancy
"What Is thy name?'' he asked.
walter, sire"
Doubtless, but whose son art thOuP
The boy looked up with n glance Of
sharp distrust and did not reply. Sir
Richards mouth set hnrshly again.
Answer mo- thou frOward roguel What
Is thy fathers manner"
The boys lips whitened, but he did not
speak.
1t were hotter for thee to answer me,
warned the knight, gathering his bride as
he spoke.
The boys heart sank and his face grew
pale.
My father has ma cloddod thee, " he re-
piled huskily. "The fault is mine, not
his.
Sir Richards eyes were full Of queer
looks that day, but never moro than then.
"Thou stubborn knavel" quoth he short
ly. "Thy father fathered thee-that is
enough Hero, stand thou at my stirrup
leather"
The boy obeyed trembling.
Lay hold" said he The boy laid hold
upon the leather.
show follow where I ride, upon thy
life "
And so they Jared to Bolton castle