The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-04-15

I 4 day in the year of grace
Nos l2s5-doings the like of
which the old-world village had never
seen before, nor cqualcd since. All was
stir and hustle, the clachan was full Of
men-at-arms and vassals, followers of
the great and powerful barons who.
I'm their turn followed their licge lord
the King; and he for some days before.
hand had taken up his quarters with
I'm the precincts OF the stately abbey.
Ilither for days beforehand. too had
been docking all the vagrants, as well
ns the mobiles of the land. Pipcrs.
/ iiddlers. glee maidens and harpers
jostled, elbow with elbow, naughty
knights. portly monks and high born
dames-each and all eager TO take
their places In the pageant, or share
the spectacle arising out of good King
AleXandcr's wedding. For therein lay
| the reason of all the hustle and un-
/ usual display In this old Border ella
/ chan-King Alexander was that day
/ espousing the Lady Ioleat de Coney,
daughter of the noble Count of Drcux.
/ and all were eager to witness the ccrc-
mony. If not to share in the banquet
to be held that night In honor of the
occasion.
This Alexander was he who had
been surnamcd Tanner of the Ravens"
/ and was at that time man in the
prime of llfe-a man wise in the judg
ment hall. fierce on the battlefield,
gentle in lady's bower, and cnthroncd
/ In the hearts of his pcopc-takc him.
all in ALL king the like of whom
Scotland was destined To see but once
again. So. IL was no wonder the peo.
pie crowded TO share in the mirth and
jollity of the occasion. to wish him
long lfe and hope the gentle queen on
his arm would long be enthroncd in his
heart and theirs.
Meanwhile. the monks OF the abbey
grumblcd loud and long because the
king had hidden the villagers To at
tend the banquet that night and heir
on the dance The lord abbot had sent
TO countermand the order. bidding the
rustics. under pain of the diSpleaSurC
of Holy Church. TO bide In their owl
homes and refrain from indulgng IN
the sinful pleasure OF dancing But
this did not 20 down we'll with the
burghers. and VIII, the Cauldrou
Cloutcr. bold as n lion. walked into the
kings presence. where courtiers bowed
at his knee and gentle ladies hung
about, to complain Of the abbots in
reference with their pleasure.
"By ma sang" cried the good king
rising from his throne in displeasurc
and striding through the abbey hal
with the stride OF a warrior on the
battlefield. "this mauna be. Every one
has my leave to enjoy himser. for IT.,
no every day kings married: an
tax your pleasure while you may Il
q guild sayin'."
SO thereupon he sent for the abbot
and reprimanded him before the shol,
court.
what is this we hear. Lord Abbot? 2
he inquired. lis IL our wedding o
thine that We must needs turn tn
guests away from uS?"
"Sire." answered the abbot. makini
his obeisance with sour visage
dancing is a lure OF the Evil one. an,
II BELTS not these poor people to be lie,
sstray by such device"
by st. Andrews bones. Lord All
botr' cried the king. there Is no harm
In dancing and ye did wrong To gain
say me i'm this. Hearkcn now" h
continued. ito what | here ordain. lie
all the walkers. and wabsters and sou
tars. and merchants. and millers an
cedgers frae the kintra round that ar
20 minded set TO at once and dance
reel to celebrate our waddin'. An
every landward lassie that so likes ca
come the nlcht-the bonnie lassie fires
frae puin' lint II be as well receive
by US as ony naughty baron's dochtal
And TAX tent that nae monk intel
eefea"