The record-union., 1897-07-11


ton? Where are they going?"
I For the little crowd had silently melt
ed away, with the exception of the
Vicarage party and old Giles and Betty
An very good sarmon, too" said
old Giles in his cracked voice, so ful
as it went; an I allus stands up fur
thy sarmons, pason, whatever folks
med say
Betty shook him by the coat sleeve.
Tent a sarmon," she ba.Wled; "'tis
summat dotty-like WI no sense int.
Don't say nowt, or EMIL hear zee. CONS
on home
They hobbled away across the green
and the Vicarage party followed the
other revelers to the Butts, the Vicar
with his enthusiasm quenched for a
moment.
In the walled meadow lay the great
may-pole on the frame of wagon,
which had been borrowed (for a con-
| sideration) for it's transport -Four
oxen (also borrowed for consideration
grazed in the field Hither came all
the youths and maidens, and prepared
to yoke the unaccustomed oxen to their
load. There was now a goodly assem-
blage of people waiting in Butts Close,
for the novelty of the thing had at
tracted visitors from other villages. A
murmur went up from the crowd as the
gayly decked oxen came into sight from
the Vicarage avenue, followed by a
| large number of laSses and lads, all
| singing their May chant. The gentle
beasts We're led each by two men, car
rying long wands which streamed with
ribbons and garlands of flowers. They
came slowly along the road, and We're
halted on the green, where a great hole
| had been dug to receive the may-pole.
With much difficulty it was hoisted into
it's place, and the earth filled in around
the base. The gay streamers fioated
on the breeze and the flowers scented
the air with their sweets. The parson
clapped his hands, and all the people
followed suit.
Wasn't 1 right?'' he said with ex-
ultation to Clifton. 'This is a day that
every one viii remember"
A shrek went up from the boys, who
had crowded about the oxen. Mr.. Cur
tees heart sank. He ran to the lit
tie group, and there upon the ground
lay the chief treble of his choir, writh-
ing with apparent agony and screaming
Justify.
what has happened?" cried Mr..
Curtice as he came up.
"The bulls gored Tommy Sell. The
bulls gored Tommy Sell" replied the
bystanders in reproachful chorus.
II knowed summat would come O.
this yer gammut," added one of them.
Mr. Curtice gently raised the pros
trajte boy.
GO fetch his mother" he said.
He turned the child over, but no
wound was visible, though a long rent
displayed itself in the little jacket. He
stood him upright, and the boy stopped
bowling. A woman broke through the
crowd and seized him.
you little varmint, you,' she cried,
''a-gettin' your best clothes tore. I'll
gle thee what-fur, an no mistake, an
you'll hev these dalied revels to thank
| fUr't an them as started them"-here
she glared at Mr.. Curtice-"an' If L
don't get the price of new jacket out
O. somebody I'll know the reason why. "
She shook the child and glared again
at the parson.
HE shall have a new jacket, Mrs.
Sell. I am thankful he was not hurt,
said Mr. Curtice apologetically.
Mrs. Sell retired across the green to
her cottage, dragging Tommy unwill-
| ingly with her, and Mr.. Curtice breath
! ed again. He went to look on at the
play. which was about to begin, and
vet all the actors continued to hide
themselves behind the screen of boughs
which had been put up for green
room. He stepped up to it and spoke
through the twigs.
It's time to begin,'' he said to those
inside.
His eldest son, Percy, came to the
barrier.
"AlI right" he said, 1--WE won't be
| long-at any rate, hope not"
HAS anything happened"
Nothing worth mentioning. Go away,
father, and come back when We ring
the bell; we shall be ten minutes yet"
Mr.. Curtice went away, and returned
| in a quarter of an hour. Still all the
| players were crowded in the green
ROOM and the shrin cackle of the girls
betrayed that something was amiss.
The parson pushed aside the branches
which stopped the opening, and en-
| tered. The young man who personated
| Robin Hood was being trotted briSkly
up and down the inclosure, supported
on either hand by two of his compan-
| ions. His bravery was sadly dashed,
| for Percy held a bucket in his hand,
and threw water at intervals into the
young mans face.
lis he ill?' asked Mr.. Curtice with
concern
"a little" answered Percy. ''We
shan't be long now. 1 shall take Robin
Hoods part if he is not better in five
minutes. Will you go and get the peo-
pie together?"
| He hustled his father towards the
opening, but bold Robin Hood held out
his hand and stopped him.
"Goor old parshon," he hiccoughed; !;
gimme parshon ash push barrelsh in
Flaxpieshes. hatsh short o. parshon f.
me- Three cheersh f. Parshon Cur'sh--
hip, hip"
"'Tent no good-on, SIR said Little
John pathetically; 1--WE med as we'll roll
un into the Garner, an leave un alone;
he wunt do no Robin Hoodin' to-day"
Mr.. Curtiee fed as the young man
was rolled like a log to the side of
the greenroon. and Percy went into the
dressing-tent behind to don those of the
garments which could be dragged from
| the inert form.
The play was an undeniable success.
Maid Marian deserted the Friar Tuck
Of her affections,a nd devoted herself
assiduously to Robin Hood. She flung
| her arms round his neck and kissed him
at the right time, and even at the wrong
time, as she had never cared to do
with the young man who now lay in
| the greenroom. She clung to Robins
/