Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-26
Honest. I won't"

Honest, I won't"
with a clothespini'
"A clothespin?" and broad grin spread
over Bob's face. And you a kIng2"
See here" and Tom brought from his
pocket two small aficles. resembling tiny
glove stretchers They're the new kind
of clothespin. Ever see one before?''
mo, but it isn't half bad. How does It
work."
You press the pin open-so; then take
the edge of the crown and lock OF hair
slip one blade of the pin under, and the
other over the crown and hair, and let the
pin snap tight on both. The crown can't
come off as long as the hair don't pull out
You do the same on the other side, and
smooth some hair over each pin to hide It,
this way
That's great" said Bob. admiringIy
TITS a wonder those kings never thought
of the trick"
They didn't have the pins"
II suppose not"
And some of them didn't have hair. It
wouldn't work without hair"
Bob was greatly impressed by his friends
ingenuity. You'll look like a king, all
right. But say? Did you know Sam broke
his shield?"
Now, isn't that Sans luck How did he
do it?'
wei, he didn't really do it. His brother
thought it was kite and tried to fly IL;
but the shield caught in a tree and smashed
all to pieces"
What Will Sam do?"
But we can't spare him. We are short
of knights already. Wait until I put these
| things away. Now come on and help make
him another shield
All through the afternoon work went
steadily on until Sans shield was finished.
When Tom went to bed that night 1t was
to dream of kings and knights and castles,
to wake up at frequent intervals and look
anXiouSly at the clock, fearful lest he had
oversight himself But the hour so eager
ly longed for arrived at last.
1t was dark without. and just before the
dawn, but the faint light that came through
the windows of the barn revealed the pres
ence of dozen boys in strange attire. They
had come in groups and singly, that the
hOnors TO be paid the little rooster might
not lack ceremonial betting their nigh
gard.
Within the barn Pete roasted on the altar
by his sword AS the knightly throng
marched slowly in, the rooster started from
a peaceful sleep and eyed them curiously
There was a martial air about the lads
who thus disturbed his slumber. To their
minds the making of a knight meant much
of pomp and circumstance, and all had
tried to carry out the knowledge gained
of that ancient custom. This may have
accounted for the sweaters worn-each with
a big white cross upon its front-which
the boys decided was the only way to i'm
ttate those snugly fitting shirts of mail
with closely woven links that gave protec-
ton to the men of old. Upon the back of
every knight was slung a shield of strange
from heel to shoulder; and from each paste
board helmets top, pumes swayed and
futtered in the faint night breeze that
blew in through the doorway.
1t was rather a sleepy band that ga tn
cred in the early morning. Perhaps that
was why they leaned upon the long two
handed swords, fashioned so carefully and
painted so cunningly; or they may have
thought thus to initiate mail-clad knights
so pictured. There was a look of satisfac-
ton in eyes that scanned the smallest de-
tail, for busy hands had changed the barn
into the semblance of a feudal hall OF
course the light was dim which aided the
illusion, for only candles burned upon the
altar and here and there a lantern swung
aloft. To the highly wrought imagination
of the boys the blankets tackled upon the
walls. the silk and velvet portierres and
hangings from the moth-protected store of
draperies in the attic suggested ancient
tapestries Soft rugs were laid upon the
floor, rustling flags and bannerets, and
shields with quaint devices hung from the
joists and beams. Even the outlines of
the harness shaped themselves into knight
ly trappings, and the shafts of wagons and
carriages. strapped securely aloft, seemed
like cfump of spears.
In robes of state Tom stood among his
mobiles. tableeloth of rich velour falling
from his shoulders trailed upon the floor.
Behind him rose the altar with Its spotless
covering, tall cross and giittering candle
sticks; fitting place for sacred vows and
solemn midnight vigiis. Upon his curly
met on his followers heads; and round his
waist a broad strong belt was strapped.
from which there hung slender sword
and a butchers eleaver, keen and sharp
that served for an ancient battle-ax
Coloring deeply, his majesty addressed
his subjects:
my lords and gentlemen. In token of
valiant deeds performed Of blameless life
and loyalty to our person, we are about to
receive into the ranks of chivalry the
squire who kneels before you. Lord Robert,
has he made Suitable PREPARATION"
He has, sire. Having tasted long and
spent the time In solemn meditation, re-
ceiving from our mother church full alb
solution
Administer the oath to the candidate"
Bob bowed low and then addressing Pete:
Peter Velton, do you solemnly swear
that you will not fight against his majesty.
who is about to bestow upon you the dis
tinguished honor of knighthood?"
II swear, answered the boy assigned to
make Pete's responses.
do you solemnly swear that you will
maintain and defend all who are in distress
and need your help and assistance. and
shun no adventure of your person In any
war wherever you shall happen to be?"
IT swear" repeated his sponsor.
Peter velton, said ais majesty, 'I hang
this sword about your neck. 1t has been
blessed by holy hands Weld 1t yaliantly |
and ever for the right"
Then the king took from his pocket a
bottle and brush. Upon the bottle was
plainly marked Liquid Gold Paint" and |
upon the royal face was q smile OF salts |
faction. While Bob held the bantam the /
king removed the cork from the bottle. ana |