The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-30

Laurence stood forth at a word OF
/ command from the earl. He saluted
and then dropped the point of his sword
meekly upon the ground. His white
. and rose cherub's face expressed the
! utmost goodness and innocence.
] Dear kinsman," said the abbot to his
nephew, Il have request to prefer
1 which 1 hope you will grant, though il
! deprive you of one retainer. This
/ youth is not fit company for rude sci
/ diers and rUfflers of the camp. His
mind is already on higher things. He
hath good, clerky Latin, also, being
/ skilled in the humanities, as 1 have
heard proven with mine own ears. His
grace of language and department is
manifest, and he can sing the sweetest
and most spiritual songs in praise of
Mary and the saints. I would have him
in our choir at Sweetheart abbey,
where we have much need both of q
voice such as his, and also of a youth
whose sanctity and innocence will
leaven with the grace of the spirit the
neophytes of our college, and the con-
sideration of which may even bring re-
pentance into older and more hardened
hearts"
Malise MacKim could not believe his
ears as he listened to the abbot S
rounded periods. But all the same his
gray eyes twinllled, his mouth slowly
drew itself together into the round OF
an o, from which issued a long. low
/ whistle, perfectly audible to all about
him except the abbot.
Lord have mercy on the innocence
and clustered quiet of the neophytes If
they get our Larrie for an eXampler'
muttered Malise to himself as he turned
away.
Even the young earl smiled, perhaps
remembering the last time he had seen
the youth before him, clutching and
tearing like a wildcat at his brother
throat in the smithy at Carlinwark.
You desire the life of a clerk" said
Lord William pleasantly to Laurence.
He would gladly have purchased his
uncle's at even a greater price.
IF your lordship pleases,'' said Lau-
renee meekly. adding to himself, TT
cannot be so hard work as hammering
at the forge, and if I like it not, why
then I can always run away"
You think you have call to become
a holy clerk?'
Il feel it herer quoth Master Lau-
renee hypocritically. indicating correct
~, however, the organ whose wants
have made clerks of so many-that is.
the stomach.
Earl William smiled yet more broad
ly, but, anxious to be gone. he said:
Mine uncle here is the lads father,
Malise MacKim. my master armorer
and right good servant. Ask him con-
corning his SON."
Iris all up rotten tree nowr NUT
tered Laurence. My father will reveal
ALL"
Malise MacKim smiled grimly. but
with salutation to the dignitary of
the church and relative of his chief
he said: Truly, I had never thought
Of this, my son. as worthy to be holy
clerk. But l will not stand in the way
of his advancement or thwart your
favor. Take him for year on trial.
and if You can make a monk of him.
do so and welcome. I recommend a
leathern strap. well hardened to the
fire, for the purpose of making a begin
ming"
He shall. indeed. have penance if
he need it. For the good of the soul
must the body sufferr' said Abbot VIII
liam sententiously.
Saints bones and cracklingsi" NUT
tered Laurence, This is none so cheer
full But I can always run away if the
strap grows over timber, and then let
them catch me if they can. Sholto will
help me-
Fall out" commanded the earl
sharply. land join yourself to the com
pany Of Abbot William. Come. Malise.
we lose our time"
Thus was one of our heroes brought
into the way of becoming a learned and
holy clerk. But those who knew him
best agreed that he had a far road to
travel