Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1896-05-22
/ nIT OF PLUCK
Young Lad OF Long Ago "
an Angry Lord.

Ia tut MAY ol. lNlCtkOldB JOun J8rkA4
has story of life in England centurfex
ago. entitled His Fathers Price" Sew
eral lads have thrown clods of clay at
proud baron, who captures one Of them.
This scene follows:
The fellow they had clodded was
Sir Richard Scroope. the lawyer lord of
Bolton manor. The lad turned sick, but
did not finch a hair. 1t is a strange
English way. that, of taking ones dose
and making no to do!
I Sir Richards garb was dull In tone
but rich In stuff. His cloak and hood
were fringed with miniver. although the
day was warm. His ray-cloth surcoat
was wine color and blue. The closely
girdled gaberdine beneath it was of fine
watchet-blue, with a broad band of
shimmering cloth of gold. His strong
Write hands were bare. but his legs
were covered with double-thonged cock
ers of russell cordovan from ankle to
mid-thigh. His spurs were heavily gild-
ed, and he wore short double-edged
| Sheffield dagger
art thou one of those who did this
| unto me?" he asked, in a stern hard
voice.
.Ay," replied the boy huskily.
Who set We on to do this thing?'
mo one, sire"
on?"
II have ma lied" The boys voice
quivered.
Why did We do 1t, then?'
The lad made no reply. He was won
dering IL the rest had gotten away safe:
wondering that he was still alive-and
If 1t were not all q dream that the lord
baron was asking him why.
"Dost hear me, knave?" said Sir Rich
ard.
Then why dost thou not answer?"
For marvel that may, SIRE" replied
the boy.
A queer look came into Sir Richards
stern eyes at that and he looked even
more shrewdly than before at the up
yet unafraid. Then why did We do this
cowardly thing? Speak, knave: my
time is shorter than my temper with
thee!'
At the word "cowardly" the lad flush
| ed. For sport, sire" he replied
For sportr cried Sir Richard stern
ly. This? "-and as he spoke he point
| ed meaningly to his swollen forehead
That was your end of the game, sire,
| not ours said the boy, stoutly, and
with a certain sense of humor.
The dark eyes cleaned queerly again.
I'VE knew not who 1 was, perchance?"
mot then, sire; but now right well.
| my lord baron"
IF thou hadst known me thou
| wouldst never have thrown"
iN L
will" answered the boy, doggedly; ''but
[ would not now for a gold rose-noble"
| As he spoke he threw back his head
How now?" said the baron, sharply.
| why not?'
Because We bore yourself as a right
lord baron should! cried the boy, look
ing up frankly, though choking little
| as he spoke.
A grim smile twitched at the corners
of the baron's iron mouth on that blunt
reply, and a 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 thou?"
The boy looked up with glance Of
sharp distrust, and did not reply. Sir
Richard mouth set harshly again.
Answer me, thou froward rogue!
What is thy fathers name?"
The boys lips whitened, but he did
not speak.
ut were better for thee to answer
me-" warned the knight, gathering his
bride as he spoke.
The boys heart sank, and his face
grew pale.
MA father has ma clodded thee" he
replied. huskily. THE fault is mine, not
his"
Sir Richards eyes were full of queer
looks that day, but never more than
then. Thou stubborn knavep quoth
he, shortly. THY father fathered thee
that is enough. Here, stand thou at
my stirrup leather"
The boy obeyed, trembling.
Lay hold" said he. The boy laid
hold upon the leather.
Now follow where I ride, upon thy
life"
And so they Jared to Bolton castle