Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-23

Yet the smile came again he rose and
clapped me the shoulder.
You're an honest lad, Simon, he said.
"even though it may have pleased God to
make you silly one. And, by heaven, who
would have all lads wise? Go to London.
learn to know more folk, learn to know bet
ter those whom you know. Bear yourself
gentleman. and remember, Simon,
whatsoever else the king may be, yet he is
the king
Saying this with much emphasis he led
me gently to the door.
why did he say that about the king?' I
pondered. l walked homeward through
the park; for although what we all. even
in the country. knew of the king, gave war
rant enough for the words, my lord had
seemed to speak them to me with some spe-
cial meaning, and as though they concern
ed me more than most men. Yet, what if
l left aside Betty's foolish talk, my lord
surely did, had ] to do with the king. or
with what he might be besides the king?
About this time much stir had been
aroused in the country by the dismissal
from all his offices of that great minister
and accomplished writer, the Earl of Clar-
endon. and by the further measure which
his enemies threatened against him. Thus
the village elders We're wont to assemble on
the days when the post came in and discuss
eagerly the news brought from London.
| The affairs of government troubled my
head very little, but in sheer ideness [ used
often to join them, wondering to see them
so perturbed at the happenings of things
which made mighty little difference in our
retired corner. Thus l was in the midst of
them at the King and Crown Tavern. on
the Green, TWO days after l had talked
with my Lord Quinton- l sat with a mug
of ale before ME, engrossed in my own
thoughts, and paying little heed to what
passed, when, to my Amusement, the post
man. lea ping from his horse, came straight
across TO me, holding out in his hand a
large Enclosure Of important appearance.
| To receive a letter was a rare event in my
I fol -21 irg no .1TA
on my amaZement. For the man, though
he was fully ready to drink my health, de-
manded no money for the letter, saying
that ii came on the service of his majesty
and was not chargeable. He spoke low
enough. and there was babble about, but
it seemed as though the name of the king
made its way through all the hubbub to the
Wears ears, for he rose instantly, and step
ping TO my side. sat down by me, crying:
What said he Of the king, Simon?"
Why, he said" L answered, that this
great letter comes TO me on the king SER
vice. and that L have nothing to pay for
it," and / turned it over and over in my
hands. But the inscription was plain
| enough. ITO Master Simon Dale, Esquire,
at Hatchstead-by-H Hatfield
By this time half the company was
around US, and my Lord Clarendon we'll
nigh forgotten. Small things near are
greater than great things afar, and al
Hatchstead my affairs were of more mo-
ment than the fall of chancellor the
that / should open my packet and disclose
what IL contained.
Nay" said the vicar. with an air of i'm
portance; lit may be on a private matter
that the king writes
They would have believed that of my
| lord at the manor they could not OF Simon
Dale. The vicar met their laughter bravely.
But the king and Simon to have pri-
| vate matters between them one day. he
I cried, shaking his fist at the Knockers, him
| self half i'll mockery.
| Meanwhile 1 opened my packet and read.
| To this day the amaZement it's contents
/ bred in me is fresh. For the purport was
! that the king. remembering my fathers
| services to the kings father, and forget
| ting, as it seemed those done to Gen.
| Cromwell. and being informed of my own
| loyal disposition, courage and good parts,
| had been graciously pleased to name me to
/ commission In his majesty's regiment Of
| Life Guards, such commission being post
| dated SIX months from the day of writing,
| in order that Mr.. Dale should have leisure
to inform himself in his duties and fit him.
! self for his post. to which end it was the
| kings further pleasure that Mr.. Dale
| should present himself. bringing this same
| letter with him, without delay, at White.
| hail, and there be instructed in his drill
| ana i'll all other matters necessary for him
| to know Thus the letter ended, with a
| commentator of me to the care of the AL
! mighty.
! 1 sat gasping. The gossips gaped around
Z
| somebody grumbled
| Il do not love these guards. What need
| of guard has the king except in the love
| Of his subjects?'
| so his father found did hep cried the
| vicar, all afiame in a moment.
| THE Life Guards?" / murmured. 1T Is
\ the first regiment of all in honor"
AYE, my lad" said the vicar. ut would
| have been well enough for you to serve in
| the ranks of 1t. but to hold his majesty s
| commission" Words failed him, and he
| flew to the landlords snuffbox, which that
good man, moved by subtle sympathy, held
| out, pat to the occasion.
Suddenly those words or my lords thai
| had at the time of their utterance caught
| my attention SO strongly flashed into my
| mind, seeming now to find their explana-
! ton. If there were faults to be found In
the king, 1t did not lie with his own ser
| wants and officers to find 1t. / was now OF
| his household; my lord must have known
| what was on the way to me from London
! when he addressed me 20 pointedly, and he