The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-03-20

a parsonage than the ballitf of st. AL
bans. and his manner heftted such a
man, for it seemed to indicate that he
thought himself heir to all the powers
OF the old abbots under whose broad
thumb HIS father and grandfather had
grotned.
My conscience prickins me, l felt
some misgiving when l saw him. after
staring at me and whispering to Two
or three of his neighbors, beckon the
Landlord aside. His big round face and
buriy figure gave him n general like
ness to bluff King Hal. and he p
peared to be aware of this himself and
to be inclined to ape the stout kings
ways. which, I have heard my uncle
say, We're ever heavy for others
toes. For awhile, however, seeing my
supper come in. I forgot him. The bare
IN whom my draggled condition seemed
to provoke feelings of a different ma
ture lugged up q round table to the
lire. On this she lald my meal, not
ecrupling to set aside some of the SINUS
dry townsfolk. Then she set a chair for
me wen In the blaze, and folding her
arms in her apron stood to watch me
fall to. I did so with q will, and with
each mouthful Of beef and draft of ale
spirit and strength came back to me.
The ctts round me might sheer and
shake their heads and the travellers
SAAAAS ~ NY appetite. IN nVe minutes
! cared not a whit. could give them
best of them.
Indeed had clean forgotten the ball
III when he stalked back to his place.
But the u yes met l guessed
there wa trouble afoot. The landlord
came with him and stood looking at
me, sending of the wench with a flea
In her ear. and I felt under his eye an
uncomfortable consciousness that my
purse was empty. Two or three late
! arrivals, to whom 1 suppose master
bailif had confided his suspicious, took
their stand also in a half circle and
struck me suddenly that I was In a
tight place and had need Of my wits.
"Ahenl!" said the bailiff abruptly,
taking skillful advantage OF a lull in
the talk. Where from last. young
man" He spoke in a deep. choky
winked one Of his small eyes In the di-
rection of his friends. as though to say,
Now see me pose hint"
But 1 only put another morsel In my
mouth. For The moment indeed the
temptation to reply "Towcester," see
road was something to brag of before
the highway law came in, almost over
came me. But In time 1 b%ethought Of
Stephen Gardeners maxim. BE slow to
speak!' and l put another morsel in
my mouth.
The bailiff's face grew red, or rather
redder. Come young man, did you
hear me speak?" he said pompously.
Where from last?"
From the road. SIR" I replied. turn
Ing to him as II I had not heard him
before. And a very wet ROAD it was"
a man who sat next me chuckled.
being apparently a stranger like my
self. But the bailifr pulled himself into
a still more striking likeness to King
Henry, and including him in his scowl
shouted at me: "Sirrah, don't handy
words with me. Which way did you
come along the road" I asked.
1t was on the tip of my tongue to
answer saucily. The right way!" But
l reflected that I might be stopped.
Il to be stopped might mean to be
hanged at worst. and something very
unpleasant at best. So 1 controlled my
self and answered, though the mans
have come from stratford, and I am
going to London. Now you know as
much as I do"
D II" he said with a sheer and a.
wink ut the landlord.
Yes. j think So" I answered patient
Well. I don't" he retorted in vulgar
that you have come from London"
went on with my supper.
DO o. hear?" he asked pompouslv.
sticking his arms akimbo and looking
round for sympathy. You will have
man. We will have no penniless ror,aes
and sturdy ~vagabonds wandering about
st. Albans." '
"Penniless rogues do not 20 a horse
PACK, l answered. But 1t was won
derful how my spirits sank under that
So aWa apea a bis.* he 1t ! h,t me %r, hard; ~.
finger to command attention for for his
next question. What is your religion
young mann"
oh" replied, putting down my
knife and looking. open scorn at him.
you are an inquisitor, are your" At
Wnlch words of mine there was a kind
OF stir. You you'd burn me as I hear
they burned Master sandars at Gov
entry last week. would YOU? They
were talking about it down the road"
You will come to a bad end. young
man. he retorted viciously. his out.
stretched finger shaking as IL the palsy
haa seed MIN, for this time my taunt
a g.'ne home. and more than one
OF the Listeners standing on the outer
edge ct the group, and SO beyond his
ken, sd muttered Shame" More than
one faee had grown dark. You will
come Q a bad end" he repeated. "If
~ Do wv liCISs lueE somewhere e1go
1t is my opinion that you have lust
come from London and that Won have
been In trouble. There Is a hue ana
cry for a young fellow just your age.
anc a cock OF your hackle. 1 judge. who
IL wanted for heresy. a Londoner. too.
You do not leave here until you have
given an account of yourself. Master
Jack-a-Dandy!" The party had ali
risen round me. and some OF the hind
most had got on benches to see the
better. Among these, between two
bacon bitches. I caught a glimpse Of
the serving maids face as She peered
at me. pale and scared. and a n1eer
impulse led me to nod to her-a re-
assuring little nod. 1 found mvself
growing cool and confident. seeing nv
self SO cornered.
Easy, easy!" 1 said. LET a man
peace" eN o III
Bishop Bonner will warm you'll"
cried the bailiff. A
i dare say-as they warm people in
Spain!" l sneered. eop'e M
he VIII be Bishop Burner to won't"
shrieked the bailiff, almost beside him
seif with rage at being SO bearded nv
a lad. So aoe ny
Take care!" l retorted. "Do nor
Q speak evil of dignitaries, or you
VII oe getting into troubled"
lie fairly writhed Under this reioind-
er.
Landlord" he spluttered, 81 shall