Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-20
A LITTLE ROUNDHEAD.
How a Boy Served Oliver IrOnSides.
The Great Protector and King Char
les Rough Rider Prince Rupert.
RY T C. HARRAUGH.


Copyright. 1896. by S. S. Mcclure Coz
Toward the close OF a summer day
during the times when roundhead and
cavalier were having it up hill and down
dale with their broadswOrds in England,
a plainly dressed, but ruddy looking
boy riding a large roam horse stopped IN
front of a cross road inn not far from
Bristol and looked at the aproned land
lord who came out TO inquire what ne
wanted.
Jock has gone lame" said the boy,
stroking the neck OF his horse.
The landlord who was somewhat of
veterinary surgeon, lifted the fore
foot of the roam and examined it with a
professional air.
Move off with him, boy" he said,
setting down the limb.
The lad did so and the master OF the
Owlet inn watched the animals mo-
tons.
who are you?" asked he as the lad
came back and waited for his opinion.
Il am Eben Whylock, the bound boy
of the mill. | have been to WesseX on a
mission for the miller and Iwould like
to get back tonight
But you can't on that horse. He
needs rest and some OF my liniment.
Your master doesn't want a crippled
horse in his stables; I'm quite sure OF
that, for | happen TO know Philip Tow
son, the miller. have a stall for the
beast and a bed for you and in the
morning you can go home
Ebm concluded 70 take advantage OF
this chance to rid a we'll horse back
and accordingly dismOunted and turned
Jock over to the farrier-landlord.
EBEN'S PRUDENCE.
In little while he was seated in the
dining room of the Owlet eating hearty
supper, while Jacob Seton, OF the Owlet,
stood at his chair, with the smell OF lima
ment on his hands.
How goes the war about Wessex?"
asked the keeper of the Owet.
Fairly well, thank YOU" answered
Eben. Prince Rupert is making some
headway against the parliamentary
forces, but now and then Oliver comes
back at him with interest"
WHAT side do you take, Master Why
lock?"
oh" said Eben, in a careless manner,
I'm a boy, you know, and boys are not
expected 10 take any part in war"
But your master?"--
He grinds for all" was the ready re-
ply. His burrs make meal for round
heads and cavaliers. They show no par
TALLY"
But all the same he sends the army
of the king lot OF meal made in his
best manner with his compliments"
Il believe he does
Then that shows that Philip is with
us and that he would sooner grind for
his royal master than for Oliver Iron
sides"
Eben made no reply to thse remarks
and presently the landlord left him to
finish his meal in silence.
Il know where Philip Towson stands"
said the boy to himself. He wants to
keep on the good side of such a wild
maurauder as Prince Rupert, but. all
the same, his heart is with Oliver, and
when it comes to the pinch they will
find that this is true
Ii was dark when Eben steppd out in
front OF the inn. where he found the SER
wants congregated and some of these
were inclined 10 make sport of his flour
sprlnkled doublet, but the boy did not
resent the covert slurs.
He went to the stable and found that
even the brief rest had benefited the big
roam, which was still at his good meas
ure OF oats, and when he came back he
said quietly that, as he was tired, hav-
ing ridden a long distance, and would
have TO be up very early the next day,
he would retire.
A peaked-faced boy of his own age
showed him to room and left the rush
light on a stand.
How do YOU sleep, Master Whylock?"
asked his con1utor, hating at the door.
ION brick" answered Eben, where
at the boy smiled.