The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01
Since day before yesterday he has become

Since day before yesterday he has become
a monk. and he is now praying and fast.
ing In penance for his sins
When Whiteface had finished his sneech
the King was much puzzled to know what
TO do. On the one hand were the facts az
gwen by the Witnesses. on the other was
the shrewd argument of the uephew Re-
sides, If the fox had really become a monk.
1t seemed shame to punish him for crimes
Tor which he was doing such heavy pen
ance L really believe that the King would
nave let him off if strange procession
nad not that moment appeared before the
throne. At its head walked the red cock
fsossei; behind him came his two sons
carrying on bier the headless body of
MIS-. Dorking, who in her day had been
the best hen in the country. Behind the
bier walked two of the cocks daughters,
bemoanins the fate of the mother RosseI
TOOK out his handkerchief, blew his nose.
and in fearful voice began his sad
tale:
y month ago 1 lived over yonder in
the cloister, happy husband with twelve
bright Industrious children From early
morning till sunset we wandered about
the garden, all scratching honestly for our
food Alasi one sad day when we gathered
at our accustomed roost one OF my chill
dren was missing. The abbess noticed our
bereavement and suspected the fox. She
had dogs brought who protected us at
night; but in the daytime when we were
separated in the fields, somehow the sly
murderer made away with my children
until now only four were left / can
| never tell the sorrow endured; but my
true wife was still alive and that was
something to be grateful for Behold now,
yesterday afternoon as we scratched about
the stables (for we all fear to go far from
the house,, who should appear but Rey-
nard. He was very still and quiet, for the
dogs were in the stalls. He was robed
like priest, and he had his head shaved
and in his hands he carried prayer book
Very humbly he came up to me and said
| My friend. L have been very bad and
wicked to you and your family. But
my sins have found me out, and my con-
| science burns. l have come to tell you
that repent Of my misdeeds. and that
| nevermore shall harm you yours. Fare
we'll! My blessing be with you"
All. mel foolish man that am con-
tinued the cock, I believed the deceiver
and crowed for Joy. We were all happy,
for now we might wander again in the
broad fields. where food was plenty, away
| from the protection of the dogs; for we
thought we had no longer to fear the fox.
| So in joyful procession we started out into
| the meadow. But, o King, hardly had we
got beyond the garden when Reynard
leaped from behind bush and killed my
wife. Here is her body which the murderer
/ IN 1.
after him. 1 call upon you to avenge the
wrong done to your faithful servant and
to punish the murderer and forsworn
monk
"AI1 the courtiers had noticed during
the cocks tale how the King had frowned,
and now when the sad story was finished
he cried out:
1--WE swear 1t, by our beard we swear
| it. This monster must come to court and
defend himself. And If he prove not limo
| cent, by our beard he shall hang. Cousin
Bruin, do you go to Reynard's castle and
command him to appear before US without
fail. Only beware lest he play some trick
| upon you and so insult the Kings mes
senger; and take good care that you bring
him before u.s.
Never fear, replied Bruin, let me once
get to him, and I shall bring him to judg-
ment. And to satisfy the anger of these
noble lords, I promise by this time to-
| morrow to have the rogue before you for
your punishment
Then all the courtiers applauded Bruins
noble words, and he set out to bring
other tale.''