St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-05-21
A CASE OF
DESTINY%
By ATHOL HOLLOWAY

a HEAVY shower or rain had LEFT
~ me stranded in the ancient and
sleepy city of Chichester The country
roads, bad enough at the best of times,
were SO sloppy as to put bicycling out
of the question. l knew nobody in
the town, and, as there is only one
place of interest-the cathedral
went there.
In doing this believed l was spend
ing an idle hour. AS a matter of fact,
was unconsciously fulfilling the OBJ
ject for which l was probably brought
into the world
The building appeared to be empty,
and I amused myself reading the
tablets that recorded the lives of
worthy people who existed genera
tions ago. l found them interesting,
for my own name happens to be Clut-
ton, and, though have never troubled
myself about family "trees," l knew
that we came from the west of Eng
land. In other words, the knights and
danes who lay in Chichester cathedral
were in all probability my ancestors.
I wish that they had had the foresight
to leave me some of their property.
Wandering through the cloisters,
came across living picture of much
greater interest and beauty than the
images of stone and iron lying around
me.
1t was young lady, who was sketch
ing corner of the building, and maxi
ing frantic attempt to do justice to
the wonderful arches and quaint win
dows.
In order to get peep at her face, !
made a pretense Of examining a monu-
ment close at hand. 1t was erected to
the memory of "Sir Francis Clutton,
1153-1201." His legs were crossed at
the knees, which signifled he had
fought in three crusades; and had it
not been that some barbarous visitor
had broken off the gentleman's nose,
he would have made most imposing
figure.
took the liberty of standing for a
moment by her side to see her work
'If you will excuse my saying So" 1
ventured, you have drawn that arch
wrong. 1t is out of perspective"
II know it is" she answered, with a
little moue. "But l can't get it right
Are you an artist?"
mot exactly" said. s.eBut / know
of architectural drawing"
Il wish you would. show me how to
get the wretched thing in so that it
doesn't seem to be standing on one
leg"
with pleasure!"
took her place on the camp stool,
and, on another piece of paper, made
a rough drawing Of the corner which /!
had puzzled her.
what number of people Of the |
name ca Clutton are buried here!" l
said, by way Of opening the converse
ton.
ooh, yes; they used to be a great
family in the days gone by" she said.
Henry VIII. took them away when
he was reforming the church. The
Cluttons didn't change their religion
fast enough. Edgar Clutton was the
asst of them. But he deserved to be
punished she added. "He did a |
shabby thing"
What was that?" inquired.
"He was betrothed to his cousin,
Dorothy Clarence. and Tilted her"
"And what became of Mistress
Dorothy Clarence?"
"She went into a convent. They say
The died of broken heart, and soon !
lfterward Sir Edgar was executed for
high treason"
"a severe punishment" l suggested. |
mot at ALL" she said, warmly. "He
vas mean wretch to behave as he
lid! Since those days a Clutton has
lever owned an acre of land in Devon
hire. And they will never get back
heir position of land owners unless
She stopped.
''Unless what?" asked
well, there is ridiculous old
egend which has been handed down;
tut I don't suppose it will ever come
rue. 1t runs:
My lord shall come to his own again
When 3Clutton squire weds a
Clarence dame
$50 the theory is that when Clut-
on marries Clarence, and so repairs
he wickedness of Sir Edgar, then
will return?"
Eyes; but I am afraid that will
ever happen now" she said, with
title sigh. Nobody knows what has
ecome of the Cluttons, and the Clar-
noes are nearly extinct"
"It appears to me-" said, "that you
re superstitious about the country
,gends."
WHEN THE JOKES ON Is.