Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-04
sopyrisht 1896, BY Bachelor. johnson Bachelor,


Copyright 1885, BY Bachelor, johnson & Bacheller.)
PART I.
OF all the good men that Lincolnshire
gave to England to make her proud, strong
and handsome, none was stronger, prouder
and more handsome than John Enderby,
whom King Charles made knight against
his will.
your gracious majesty" said John En-
derby, when the king was come to Boston
town on the business Of draining the Hol-
land fen and other matters more important
pnd more secret, 1.-The honor your majesty
would confer is well beyond a poor man
Ike myself for all Lincolnshire knows
that / am driven to many shifts to keep
myself above water. Times nave been hard
these many years, and, craving your ma
1esty's pardon, our taxes have been heavy"
do you refuse knighthood Of his najes
ty?" said Lord Rippingdale. with sheer,
and patting the neck of his black stallion
with gloved hand.
THE king may command my life, my
Lord Rippingdale," was Ender5y's reply,
''he may take me. body and bones and
blood, for his service but my poor name
must remain as it is when his majesty de-
nands too high a price for honoring it."
Treason" said Lord Rippingdale. just
so much above his breath as the king
might hear.
This in our presenter said the king,
tapping his foot upon the ground, his
brows contracting, and the narrow dig
nifty of the divine right lifting mis- nostrils
petulantly.
No treason. may it please your majes-
ty," said Enderby, land IL were better to
speak boldly to the kings face than to be
1isloya1 behind his back. My estates will
not bear the tax which the patent of this
knighthood involves l can serve the
as plain John Enderby. and 1 can serve
my children best by shepherding my shat
tered fortunes for their sakes."
For moment Charles seemed thought
full, though Enderby's reasons appealed
to him, but Lord Rippingdale had now the
chance which for ten years he had in
vited, and he would not let it pass
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 Enderby has
grown"
Lord Rippingdale had touched the tender
est spot in the kings mind. His vanity was
no less than his impecuniosity, and this was
the third time in one day he had been de-
feated in his efforts to confer an honor, and
exact price beyond all reason for that
honor. The gentlemen he had sought had
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 for nothing Some of these gen.
tlemen had been benefited by the draining
of the Holland fens, which the king had
undertaken. reserving stout portion Of the
land for himself. but John Enderby bene-
flied nothing, for his estates lay further
north, and near the sea; nor far from the
taxes which the king had levied, and had
not murmured beyond his own threshold.
He spoke his mind with candor, and to him
the king was still man to whom the truth
a 6tracfnpSS
the highest honor one man might show an
other.
Rank treason repeated Lord Ripping
dale, loudly. "Enderby has been in bad
company, your. majesty. If you are not
wholly with the king, you are against him.
He that is not with me is against me, and
he that gathereth not with me scattereth
abroad"
sudden anger seized the king and, turn
Ing, he set foot in the stirrup. muttering
something to himself which BODIED no good
stirrup while he mounted and, with Lord
Rppingdale beside him in the saddle, he
turned and spoke to Enderby. Self-will and
resentment were in his tone.
Knight of Enderby we have made YOU"
he said. land Knight of Enderby you will
remain Look to it that you pay the fees
lot the granting of your patent"
Your majesty said Enderby reaching
out his hand in protest, II will not have
this greatness you would thrust upon me-
Did yoLr majesty need. and speak to me as
one gentleman to another in his need, then
would part with the last inch of nv land:
but to barter my estate for a gift that /
nave no heart nor use for-your majesty, 1
carnot do itr
The Rand Of the king twisted in his
Dridle rein, and his body stiffened in anger.
See to 1t, my Lord Rippngdale." he
eald, tiiat our knight here pays to the last
penny for the courtesy of the patent. You
shall levy upon his estate"
We are both gentlemen your majesty.
and my rights within the law are no less
than your majesty's," said Enderby, stout
ly.
The gentleman forgets that the king is
the fountain Of all law" said Lord Rim
pingdale obliquely to the king.
we Will make one new statute for this
stubborn knight, said Charles; "eyen a
writ OF outlawry. His estates shall be con-
nscate to the crown. Go seek a king and
country better suited to your tastes our
rebel knight Of Enderby"
L am still an Enderby Of Enderby and
man of Lincolnshire your ma jesty" said
the squire the king rode toward Boston
church, where presently he should pray
Assembled:
Most heartily we beseech Thee with Thv
IaSor TO behold our most gracious sover-
eign King Charles Endue him plenteously
with heavenly gifts; grant him in health
and wealth long to live; strengthen him
that he may attain everlasting joy and fe-
1icity."
With a heavy heart Enderby turned home
wards: that is, towards Mablethrope upon
the coast, which lies between Saltfieet
Haven and Skegness, two ports that are
places of mark in the history of the king
dom, as all the world knows.
He had never been so vexed in his life.
1t was not so much anger against the king
for he had great reverence for the mon
archy of England; but against Lord Rip