Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-10-01

than to the wearing out Of the same
material in the form of boots. Horse
and man were SO subtly suited, each tC
each. that such another pair might well
have given to some early artist the first
idea of centaur. Armstrong was evil
IDENTITY familiar with the district he
traversed, for he evinced no surprise
when, coming to the crown Of height
he saw in the valley below him one
stored stone building, whose out
houses and general surroundings pro-
claimed it solitary inn, but the horse,
less self contained and doubtless more
fatigued, thrust forward his ears and
gave utterance to a faint whinny of
pleasure at the near prospect Of rest
and refreshment. The hand Of the
rider affectionately stroked and patted
the long black name, as If in silent
confederation Of the animals eager an
ticipations
| The young man was as fair as his
mount was dark. A mass Of yellow
| hair flowed out from under his Scots
| bonnet and over his broad shoulders.
A heavy blond mustache gave him
semimilitary air, look Of the cavalier,
as If he were remnant Of that strick-
en- band across the border which was
fighting for King Charles against dali
ly increasing odds; but something Of
jaunty self confidence in Armstrong;
manner betokened that the civil war
raging in England was no concern Of
his, or that, If he took any interest In
it, his sympathies inclined toward the
winning side, as indeed was the case
with many Of his countrynen. His
erect bearing, body straight as one Of
his native pines, enhanced the soldier
like appearance Of the horseman, and
1t needed but a glance at his clear
skinned but resolute face and powerful
frame to be convinced that he would
prove dangerous antagonist to meet
in combat, while the radiant good
nature Of his frank countenance indi-
Gated q merclful conqueror should vic
tory fall to him. as seemed likely I'M
less the odds were overwhelming:
Both prowess and geniality were on
the instant of being put to the test as
he approached the inn, where way
farer Is usually certain Of welcome
If he has but money In his pouch. A
lanceman. his tall weapon held up
right, stepped out into the road from
the front Of the closed door before
which he had been standing, when he
saw that the traveller was about to
halt and dismount.
"Ye'll be fur dawnerin on q bit
faurer forret," limited the sentinel in q
cautious. insinuating manner, as II he
were but giving expression to the
others unspoken intention.
"a wise man halts at the first public
house he comes to after the sun Is
down." replied Armstrong.
"All'm thlnkin Il mans no verra
wise that stops whaur he's least want.
ed, If them that's no wantln' him has
good arm III their hauns."
AYE, my lad. steei's a bonny argu.
ment, rightly used Whut's a. tn steer
here, that n tired man. willing to pay
his way. Is sent doom tn rod"
"Weel. We see, there's muckic folk IN
ben yonner that has mony a ching tn
chatter ABBOTT. an that's a. An ken
OF, except that Ah'm Ia let name inside
tn disturb them"
"Whose man are your
"Ah belong tn tn Yerl O. Traquair."
"And very good friend Of mine the
Earl Of Traquair Is. VIII you just go
inside and tell him William Armstrong
Is sitting here on his horseT
"That wull All no, fur II tn king
himself were tn ask All munna let him
by tn door. Sa jist tax fule's adj
vice fur vince and gang AVA tn tn
next inn afore 1t gets darker an ye're
like to lose yer rod amang tn hills"
81 must get something for my horse |
to eat. He's done and should not be |
pushed farther. I'll wait outside until
their lordships have finished their coun.
Gil"
9TH stalls are a. fou already. an.
II not wi better nags, at least wi the
nags O noblemen, an Ah'm thinkin
that's neither you nor me-"
"The stalls may be fou, but my
beasts empty, and must get feed Of
corn, noble or simple. Ye tell the earl
It's me and yell be thankit."
Indeed, me Draw man, All TAX or
1ers fra the yerl himself an fra name
else. Jist ticket yer beast wi the spur,
Dr. Anil gle him jab WI tn point O.
this spear"
The descent Of young Armstrong was
30 instantaneous that the man at arms
had no opportunity Of carrying out his
threat or even, Of leveling the unwieldy
weapon in his own defense. The
lorseman dropped on him as IL he had
fallen from the clouds, and the pike
'ang useless on the, rough cobble-
stones. The black horse showed no
sign Of fright, as might have been
but turned his intelligent
head and calmly watched the fray as
f accustomed to any eccentricity on
he part Of his master. And what the
Inc eyes of the quadruped saw was
tartlinp enough Tho wide snread |