New-York tribune., 1907-02-24

the distinction TO inspire ter O.. z-SEs> 49, =
ror the length and breadth OF N- z-y=ft' \ Z
a kingdom, to set a nation by Szsz g-- 2
the ears-nay, TO dis - X - ~, =,
turb the peace OF Church ~ - - =
When the Cromwellian W.
wars broke out, he was in ms ~ m
prime, stout, sturdy Eng IN 4
lshnan, suffering, as did his N\a .
fellows from the mlSrue OF I'M
the Stuarts, and ready for \N
any desperate step that might -
better his fortunes. Noluu-
reerlng, therefore, under the
Of blood and iron, tradition has il that from the
first battle to the last his drum heard inspiring
the revolutionists to mighty deeds OF valor. The
conflict at end, Charles beheaded, and the Fifth
Monarchy creating chaos in their noisy efforts
L. establish the kingdom OF God on earth, he lapsed
into ObsCurlty that endured until the RestOra-
ton. Then he reemeTged, not as a veteran living at
ease on laurels well Won but as a wandering beggar.
rowing from shire to shire IN quest OF aims, which he
ImplOred TO the accompaniment OF tearsome music
from his beloved drum
Thus he journeyed, undisturbed and gaining
sufficient living until he CHANGED in the spring Of
Io6I TO invade the quiet Wiltshire village Of Ted
worth At that time the interests OF Tedworth
identical with the interests OF certain Squire
Mompesson, and he, being a gouty, irritable indi-
v.duaI was little disposed to have his peace and the
peace Of Tedworth disturbed by the drummer loud
bawling and louder drumming At his orders rough
hands seized the unhappy WandereT blows raIned
upon him, and he driven from Tedworth minus
his drum. In vain he begged the indignant Nom
pessOn to restore II to him. IN VAIN, with the tears
streaming down his battle worn, weather beaten
face he protested that the drum the only friend
left to him in all the world and in vain he related
the happy memories It held for him. Co. he
=. IS roughly told-'gO and be thankful thou escapest
So Iightly!" So 60 he did, and whittier he went
nobody knew, and for the moment nobody cared.
The Pandemonium Begins
ID Ut all Tedworth soon had occasion to wish that
ID his lamentations had moved the Squire to pity.
Hardly month later. when MOmpessOn had jour
neyed the capital pay his respects to the KING,
has family was aroused IN the middle OF the night
by angry voices and Incessant banging on the
front door. Windows tried; entrance was
yehernently demanded. Within, panic Teigned at
once The house situated in a lonely spot, and
il seemed certain that, having heard OF its masters
absence, a band Of hghwaymen, with whom the
countryside abounded had planned TO turn burglar.
The occupants, consisting they did OF women and
children could at best make scant resistance; and
consequently there much qualing and trem-
bling until finding the bolts and bars too strong for
them, the unwelcome visitors withdrew
Unmeasured was MOmpessons wrath when he
returned and learned Of the alarm. He only hoped,
he declared that the villains would venture back
he would give them greeting such as had not been
known since the days Of the great war. That very
night he had opportunity to make good his boast,
for soon after the household had sought repOse the
disturbance broke out anew Whatever his taIllngS,
the Squire was no coward Lighting lantern, Slip
ping into a dressing gown and snatching up brace
II pistols he dashed down stairs, the noise becoming
louder the nearer he reached the door. Click clash
the bolts slipped back, the key was turned,
and lantern extended, he peered into the night.
The moment he opened the door all became still,
and nothing but empty darkness met his eyes. Al
most Immediately, however, the knocking began at
A second door to which after making the first fast,
he hurried only to find the result and TO hear.
with mounting anger, a tumut at yet another door.
Again silence when this was thrown open. But,
stepping outside he afterward told the story,
MOmpeSSOn became aware OF " a strange and hollow
sound in the air" Forthwith the suspicion entered
his mind that the noises he had heard might be of
supernatural origin. To him, true son of the seven