Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-09
NOR KING NOR COUNTRY.
Gilbert ParEeEl
Author of "Pierre and His People. "
copyright, 1,J6, by Bachelor, johnson and
Bachellerl
PART l.

copyright, 1,J6 by Bachelor, johnson and
Bacheller.l
PART l.
OF all the good men that Lincolnshire
rave to England to make her proud,
strong and handsome, none was strong
or. prouder and more handsome than
John Enderby, whom King Charles
made knight against his will.
"Nour gracious majesty" said John
Endcrby, when the king was come to
Boston town on the business of drain
ing the Holland fen and other matters
more important and more secret, the
honor your majesty would confer IS
well beyond poor man like myself,
for all Lincolnshire knows that ! am
driven to many shifts to keep myself
above water. Times have been hard
these many years, and, craving your
maiesty's pardon, our taxes have been
heavy"
"Do YOU refuse knighthood of his
maicsty?" said Lord Itippingdalc, with
a sneer, and patting the neck of his
black stallion with "A gloved hand.
"The king may command my life,
my Lord Rippingdale," was Enderby's
reply, "he may take me, body ond
bones and blood, for his service, but my
poor name must remain as it is when
his majesty demands too high price
for honoring it,"
"Treason," said Lord Rippingdnle
tust so much above his breath as the
king might hear.
This in our presencel" said the king,
tapping his foot upon the ground, his
brows contracting, and the narrow
dignity of the divine right lifting his
nostrils petulantly.
mo treason, may it please your
majesty" said Enderby, 'and it were
better to speak boldly to the kings
face than to be dsloyal behind his back.
My estates will not bear the tax which
the patent of this knighthood involves.
! can serve the country no better as
Sir John Enderby than as plain John
Enderby, and | can serve my children
best by shepherding my shattered
fortunes for their salics."
For moment Charles seemed
thoughtful, as though Endcrby's rea-
sons appealed TO him, but Lord Rip
pingdale had now the chance which for
ten years he had invited, and he would
not let it pass.
1.-The honor which his majesty offers
my good Lincolnshire squire, is more
to your children than the few loaves
and fishes which you might leave them
We all know how misery John Ender
by has grown!"
Lord Rippingdale had touched the
tenderest spot in the kings mind. His
vanity was no less than his impecunios-
ity, and this was the third time in one
day he had been defeated in his efforts
to confer an honor, and exact 4
price beyond all reason for that honor
The gentlemen he had sought hat
found business elsewhere, and were
not to be seen when his messengers
called at their estates. 1t was not
the kings way TO give anything foi
nothing. Some of these gentlemen
had been benefited by the draining o.
the Holland fens, which the king hat
undertaken, reserving a stout portion
of the land for himself; but John En-
derby benefited nothing, for his estates
lay further north, and near the sea
not far from the town of Mablethorpc
lie had paid all the taxes which thu
king had levied and had not mur
INJURED beyond his own threshold lii
spoke his mind with candor, and t'
him the king was still man to whom
the truth was TO be told with direct
ness, which was the highest honor on,
man 1niUht show another
Rank tseason," repeated Lord Rip
pingdale, loudly. "Enderby has been il
bad company, your majesty. If yol
are not wholly with the king, you arr
against him. He that is not with INT
is against me, and he that gatheretl
not with me scattereth abroad
a sudden anger seized the king, ant
turning, he set foot in the stirrup
muttering something to himself whicl
BODIED no good for John Enderby. 4