The times., 1899-08-17

III nlalCeS are on MINNIE seti--
lie pointes, he strikes, his lance hath missed
And braver knights ryde forth TO lyste.
-Ye Marylande Tourney.
1t was indeed gallant day for We
knights of many States and their ladies,
was Yesterday Full twenty mobiles, with
shining escutcheons, rode forth TO try
skill at arms in the XIIIth annual tour
nament at River View, and the trials were
indeed fearsome. Once in every twelve
month a grand assembly of gallants from
all the noble houses of Virginia and Mary
land is held at this point, and the tourney
of this year was indeed wondrous.
Full 5000 folk from city and country
were present to laud the efforts of the
favorites, and all roads led to the lists.
while all boats seemed to bring new thou
sands. Goodly prizes had been offered for
the most gallant rider, and for many suns
the famed seions of many houses had prac-
ticed TO do justice with their prowess. A
large purse of money, with an addition of
$50. which was given by Capt. E S. Ran
dali caused many to venture forth, but the
most goodly incentive was the privilege
Of crowning the Queen of Love and
Beauty.
So ii was that the muItitudes gathered al
the lists at River View and so il was that
nearly score of knights were present to
strive for honors. 1t was like unto fair day
at 4 town, for everywhere was music and
banners, and fair damsels and gay colors
The families of all the houses of Maryland
and Virginia seemed TO be present, and a
! great army of city folk came with stiff
raiment and furbeows. All the place was
| great May fair. Here stood ten-score
of wagons, wherein country folk laughed
/ and ate lunches. Here were long lines Of
happy onlookers. Here great throngs OF
| city folk found enjoyment and amazed
those who knew these Journeys with strange
questions as TO what was this and what was
| that.
The knights Assemble.
Anon the knights assembled within a pad
dock and FURNISHED spears and lances and
tightened the small grths of their chargers
All was buzz and hustle and pleasure The
lists were ready and the course was a long
| pathway which had been fenced in with
| such ropes as might serve to keep back
| the crowd. Across the path and at such
certain distances as were proper stood three
gala arches. and from each of these hung a
rod, which supported a small ring about
| one inch in diameter. In place of the sir
! knights doing battle one with the other
10 90 DOulif lHey were 10 SlTEY6 dUu
pierce the rings with their lances and carry
of the trophies, each ring counting fully
| as much as one life in'ys olden Journeys.
When all had been made ready, then
| arose ye master at arms. James c. Rogers.
| who hied from Hyattsville and charged the
sir knights that they do strive valorously
The knights being assembled, they were
thus charged that they do retain the honor
of We ancient and most honorable CUSTOM
- II, y arr
further charged that they do most nobly
strive 10 crown certain lass in all the
multitude of beauties assembled, with suct
title as might make glad her heart, and
much poetry and rhyming was also used
TO charge the knights. These, having seer
the glances of certain eyes and heard the
sound of certain voices, bowed low ana
strove to make good the promise.
The Signal Trumpet.
Upon the signal of a trumpet blast, W
master at arms cried aloud, Appear, Sil
knight of Beltsvillel" Whereupon the
knight, having appeared, the trumpet blast
sounded, and the cry went forth, "Cbarge
sir knight,' The knight then wheeled
about his charger and having couched his
lance, charged at full gallop at the rings
suspended from the arches. "One, two
three!" cried the crowd as the knight
passed in a whirlwind, and certain happy
faces grew happier. But the judges hat
discovered that but one ring was upon the
point of the lance, and the knight of Belts
vile rode back to await another trial ant
reclaim his honor.
Again the trumpet sounded and tn
master at arms cried, Appear, Sir Knigh
of Accokeek." The Knight of Accokeel
then charged and with true skill carrie'
away all three rings. Then went forth
great shout, and the band struck up music
The gallant knight bowed and rode bacl
to await all comers, while happy, freckled
face maidens primped their locks and won
dered who might be chosen queen. Blu
, the end was not yet. The twenty knight
, rode and rode, and tilted and rushed unit
| the day was far spent. Each new victor
brought new cheers and new smiles fror
. new maidens. And the five most gallan
knights were tied for honors, and were I
run the course again and again until tn
prizes were won.
, No Sir knight Gallahad rode these lists
but several Sir knight Gallouses wer
. present. Each had taken his defeat i
good faith and none found smiles or com
. fort in the freckled-faced naidens, who ha
, eyes but for those who might win th
victory. On rode the laundering chargers
on pressed the knights. Each new rim
added new laurels to the taker and eac
miss meant smiles for some more tortu
nate knight And so the fair. tickle maid
ems and the gallant, tireless knights ra
out the tourney of hearts and lists.
Knight of Accokcek.
> At last the lists were ridden, and grea
cheers and applause went up for the vic
tor. the gallant Sir Knight of Accokeel
who had obtained the first prize and Nigh
crown the lady OF his choice as Queen c
y Love and Beauty
: The unromantic band struck up II gues
4 I'll have to telegraph my baby" and a
admiring swain roared out, Il tell you tha
r knight can marry any girl in Prime
George county, But the victor wa
q modest and declined the offer. Then tn
e gallant sir knights who had suffered de
0 feat tucked their trousers into their boot
n smoothed down their hair and wipin
: away the stains Of dust from Their coat
e welcomed and applauded the vlctorlol
y knight.
e The tired, faithful horses were taken I
: rest and shelter the lances were place
away to await another tourney and tn
t knights strobe forth TO chute I'll
d chute and find other amusement. Son
n rode. with their ladies' upon woode
n chargers while a great organ Dime
;, hymns OF praise into their ears. Other
r rode the tourney over while receiving tt
coincidence of sympathetic friends, an
here and there cooling couple Shove
that defeat cannot always drive trl
heart from the side of her knight
r 1t was indeed a glorious day, and whi
these tournaments have descended for Il
s years through the good old families
= Maryland and Virginia, they have not lo
any OF their interest. This is the thirteent
! md