The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-10
THE EVENING STORY
In Fashion Cavalier.
(By Barry Preston.)

The Knight of the Golden Helmet
rode briskly down the lane. His
sword made a pleasant clanking. in
the rusty scabbard. which it was
never intended to fit: his eyes
spanked; his plumes waved bravely
in the breeze.
Anon from sheer exuberance of
spirits the Knight of the Golden Hell
met let out a wild and joyous whoop,
which startled the grazing cattle and
set the mild-eyed sheep budding to-
gether in trembling wonder.
The general get-up of the gentle
man of the aureate headpiece was a
basket the handle beneath his chin
and its bottom Cor rather top in its
present position) decorated with the
tail-feathers of an incautious rooster;
about his waist was red sash stuck
full of wooden dirks; from the left
side of this sash half tangled, half
dragged the naval sword in the old
cavalry Scabbard.
A rake handle answered the pur-
pose of a lance and bore as its per-
son a fiuttering, three-cornered piece
of red flannel; upon the knights fat,
chubby legs were fastened pieces of
zinc, evidently intended for greaves.
The steed he bestrode was a crooked
piece of apple limb, with a bit of
Irvine about one end of it for reins.
1t is quite needless to state, per-
haps, that the Knight of the Golden
Helmet had recently been filling his
small head with certain romantic
literature relating to the days of
chivalry.
It is probably quite as needless to
cite that, now the literature had been
absorbed, he thirsted for deeds of
valor.
Hence the ride down the lane, and
hence the whoops. But very unfor-
tunately it seemed to be an off day for
opportunities.
The cattle gazed upon him in
together and sent up discordant
bleats. Aside from these the land
scape gave no evidences of life.
1t was a sorry world. Whatever it
the knightly gentlemen reflected
sadly. One couldn't perform deeds of
valor with nothing at hand but sheep
and cattle People were necessary to
his plans-live. red-blooded, much
troubled people-languishing ladies
The world was full of 'em. There
must be some about somewhere. The
only way to get 'em was to find EN-
With another full-throated below
spurred his good apple limb steed to
a yet more furious pace, and sped
down the shaded lane in quest of ad-
venture.
he ndQ just SplQSneQ through the
muddy pool where the cattle drank
each evening. and was cantering
past the birches beyond, when
he saw a young man approaching-a
young man in f1annels, very tall and
straight. pleasant-faced, too. although
just now the forehead was wrinkled in
a frown and the firm jaw was set in
The young man was
putting vigorously at the briar pipe be-
tween his teeth, sending out great blue
clouds of smoke in his wake.
The Knight of the Golden Helmet |
reined in his steed and accosted the |
man before him with a familiar:
Hey, Charliet" -. --.:
Then suddenly remembering the dig
1ity of his position he squared his
small shoulders and threw up his chin.
What no, Charles" he corrected his
irst salutation. Hold a bit. 1
vouldst have converse with thee
The young man seemed aware for the |
irst time of the others presence.
Hello, Billy" said he, abstractedIy |
glancing at the queer figure before him. |
What's up now?"
81 am the Knight of the Golden Hell
net" was the grave response.
You don't say. Where are you
0ound?'
Where is thy lady?" the knight de-
MY lady? You mean your Aunt
Margaret?'
The knight nodded.
Down the lane a bit, by the walnut
rees. Know the place, don't your"
Sure was the unknightIy reply.
He drew a bit nearer; one hand rest
ID upon the hilt of the sword.
"Why are you here, varlet?" he de-
handed. why hast thou deserted thy
ady?"
"Huh?" said the man in hanneIs.
Then he burst into laughter, but there
vas a certain grating noise in 1t.
well, Billy-Mr. Golden Helmet 1
nean-Im here because she sent me.
re you on? And hardly think you're
orrect in calling her my lady. She's
ust told me mighty plainly that she
wasn't"
The young gentleman astride the
tick pondered deeply and to aid his
ogitations he removed the basket from
is head and swung it idly to and fro
n one hand. Then he replaced it with
considerable show of frmness.
Back you go, craven" he declared
atty.
Huh? what?" said the man in the
annels.
Back you go. I ride to the succor of
aides in distress" 1
epned. II think you'd better go alone, ,
1ough."
Never" bawled the knight. "Turn
round
After several futile eHortS ne man
ged to yank the sword from the
He waved it threateningly
bove his head. 6
''See here" the young man began {
ritably ~ he took a step forward;
ut at thai moment they both heard &
lick steps down the la1e. V
Around the bend cam, the lady I'M
ar discussion. She sta ted violently y
the sight of them. Her face was r
lshed and her eyes were suspicious
red. \
1--WE got him. shouted the knight :
yously; "he's in my power. He was
eserting you, but 1 held him up. I'll
e he begs your pardon, If you say '