The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1896-08-06
ENGLISH PLUCK,
A Young "a of Long Ago Who
Faced an Angry Lord.

In the May st. Nicholas, John Ben
nett has a story Of life in England,
centuries ago. entitled, His Fathers
Price" Several lads had thrown
clods of clay mt n proud baron. who
captures n of them. The scene fol-
lows.
The fellow" they had clodded was
Sir Richard Scroope, a lawyer, lord of
Bolton Manor. The lad turned sick,
but did not finch a hair. 1t is a
strange, English way, that. of taking
one dose, and making no to do.
Sir Richards garb was dull in tone
but rich in stuff. His cloak and hood
were fringed with minerver, although
the day was warm. His ray-clOth sur
coat was wine-color and blue. The
closely-girdled gaberdine beneath it
was of fine watchet blue, with a broad
band of shimmering c~loth-of-gold. His
strong, white hands were bare but his
legs were covered with double-thongcd
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 a stern, hard
voice.
"Ay," replied the boy, huskily.
"WhO set We on to do this thing?'
mo one, sire"
"No lies to me, knave. Who set ye
on?'
Il have ma led The boys lip quiv-
cred.
WHY did We do it, them"
The lad made no reply. He was Won
dering if the rest had gotten away
safe; wondering that he was still alive
and if it were not all a dream that
the lord baron was asking him why.
"Dost hear me, knave?" said Sir
Richard.
yea, sire"
'Then why dost not answer"
For marvel that l may, SIRE" re-
piled the boy.
A queer look came into Sir Richards
stern eyes at that, and he looked, even
more shrewdly than before, at the un-
full, yet unafraid.
thing? Speak, knave; my time is
lo 1 tIdh NY tttillft1 WIN Htt
At the word '~cowardly" the lad
For SPORT cried Sir Richard, stern
ly. "This'-and as he pointed mean
ingly to his swollen forehead.
THAT was your end of the game,
sire, not ours" said the boy. stoutIy
and with a certain of humor.
The dark eyes cleaned queerly again.
CIV, ly,,nu, nhf xrhn xx-a onr.1,a moo ~
"Nct then, sire; but right now well,
my lord baron"
IF thou hadst known me thou
wouldst never have thrown?"
GAY. but l would, with a right good
will answered the boy; but would
not now for a gold rose-noble!" And
as he spoke be threw back his head.
How nowT said the baron, sharp
ly. "Why not?"
Because We bore yourself as a right
lord baron should!' cried the boy, look
ing up frankly, though choking a 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 a glance of
sharp distrust, and did not reply. Sir
Richards mouth set harshly again.
Answer me. thou forward rogue!
What is thy fathers name?"
The boys lips whitened, but he did
not speak.
1T were better for thee to answer
me- warned the knight, gathering his
bride as he spoke.
MY father has ma clodded thee he
replied. huskily. 1.-The fault is mine.
not his
Sis Richards eyes were full of queer
looks that day but never more than
then. Chou stubborn knave" quoth
he. shortly. Thy father fathered thee
that is enough. Here, stand thou, at
my stirrup-ieather."
The boy obeyed, trembling.
"Lay hold" said he. The boy laid
hold upon the leather.
"Now follow where ride, upon thy
life
And so they Jared to Bolton Castle.