The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-04-30
ENGLISH PLUCK
a Young Lad OF Long AEo who Faced an
Angry Lord.

A Young Lad Of Long Ago who Faced an
Angry lord.
In the May ST Nicholas John Benz
nett has story of life in England cen-
turtles ago, entitled his Fathers Price"
Several lads have thrown clods Of clay
at proud baron, who captures one OF
them This scene follows:
The fellow they have clodded was
Sir Richard ScrOOpe, the lawyer lord
Of Bolton Manor. The lad turned sick,
but did not finch a hair II Is a
strange English way, that, Of taking
ones dose and making no to do!
Sir Richards garb was dull in tone,
but rich In stun. His cloak and hood
were frinEed with miniver. although
the day was warm. His ray-cloth SUR
coat was wlne-color and blue. The
closely girded gaberdlne beneath It was
OF fine watchet-blue, with broad band
of shimmering cloth OF gold. His strong
white hands were bare, but his legs
were covered with double-thonged
cookers Of russell cordovan from ankle
to mid-thigh. His spurs were heavily
gilded. and he wore a short double
edged Sheffield dagger,
"Art thou one of those who did this
unto me?" he asked, In stern hard
SAY" replied the boy husklly.
"who set We on to do this thing?"
mo one, slre."
y" Il have ma lied" The boys voice
"why did We do 1t, then2"
The lad made no reply. He was won
derlng II the rest had gotten away safe;
wondering that he was still alive-and
II II were not all dream that the lord
baron was asking him why
"Dost hear me, knave?" said Sir
Richard.
Yea, sire" :.
For marvel that may, sire" re-
piled the boy,
stern eye at that, and he looked even
more shrcwdly than before at the up
turned, sunburnt face, honestly fear
full, yet unafraid. 'rhen why did ye
do this cowardly thing? Speak, knave;
my time Is horter than my temper with
At the word cowardly." the lad
flushed. For sport, sire" he replied.
"For SPORT" cried Sir Richard stern
~. "Thls?"-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:
Eye knew not who / was, perchance!
mot then, sire; but now right Well
my lord baron"
IF thou hadst known me thou
wouldst never have thrown"
"Ay, but / would. with a right good
WILL" answered the boy, dOggedly; but
/ would not now for gold rose-noble!
AS he spoke he threw back his head:
"How nOw?" said the baron, sharply,
why nOt?"
lord baron should!" cried the boy look
ing up frankly, though choking little
as he spoke.
OF the baron's iron mouth on that blunt
reply, and a sparkle OF satisfaction
lighted his naughty eyes. Little USED 10
such fair, plain speech from either
young or old, the boys pluck struck ms
fancy, What is thy name?" he asked.
walter, sire"
"Doubtiess; but whose son art thou?"
The boy looked up with a glance OF
sharp dlstrust, and did not reply. SF
Richards mouth set hnrshly again.
Answer me. thou forward rogue!.
What Is thy fathers name?
The boys lips whltened, but he did
not speak.
me-" warned the knight, gathering his
bride as he spoke.
The boys heart sank, and his face
grew pale.
''My father has ma clodded thee" he
replied. husklly. 'rhe fault is nine not
his"
Sir Richards eyes were full of queer
looks that day, but never more than
then. Thou stubborn knaveE quoth
he, shortly. "Thy father fathered thee
that Is enough. Here, stand thou at
my stirrup-leather"
The boy obeyed, trembling.
u Lay hold" said he. The boy lad
Mold upon the leather
Now follow where l ride, upon thy
"a 90, tI,o,, Soro5 N T2oiton Castle