The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-02-20
CHAPTER /.

mist Could be found FOR q score or
miles round In the time OF which L
write-that 1t was made by the Ro-
mans. It runs north and south along
the narrow spine of the country, which
Is spread out on either side | X a
map or q picture. AS you fare south
ward you see on our right hand the
green orchards and pastures OF Wor-
c~estershire stretching as far as the
Malvern hills. You have In front Of
you Bredon hill, which Is a wonder
ful hill, for IL a man goes down the
Avon by boat It goes with him, now
before and now behind, a whole days
journey, and h and in the same
place. And on the left hand o have
the great forest Of Arden and not much
besides, except oak trees, which grow
well In Wa~rwfckshire.
/ describe this road firstly, because
It Is a notable one and 40 years ago
was the only Queens highway to call
q highway in that country. The
rest were mere horse tracks.
Secondly, because the chase wall
Of Cotton End runs along the side
OF 1t for two good miles. and the
Cluddes-I am Francis ~Cludde-have
lived at Cotton End by the Ridgeway
time out of mind, probably--for the
name smacks OF the sois-before the
Romans made the road. And, thirdly,
because 40 years ago, on a drizzling,
February day in ~1555-second year of
Mary, old religion just re-established
Ia number of people were collected on
his road, forming a group of a score
or more, who stood In IN ordered kin
of disorder about my uncIe's gates and
looked all n way, as IL expecting an
arrival, and an arrival of consequence.
First, there was my uncle Sir An
thony, tall and lean. He wore his best
velvet doublet and cloak n had put
them on with an air OF huge import
ance. This increased each time he
turned, stan in hand. and surveyed his
Following, and as regularly gave place
to a "Pshawt" of vexation and petu-
liant glance when his eye rested on
me. Close beside him. looking import
ant, too, but anxious and q little fright
ened as well, stood good Father Carey.
The priest wore his silk cassock, and
his lips moved from time to time with
out sound, as though he were trying
over a Latin Grafton, which indeed was
the fact. At a more respectful dis
lance We're ranged Baldwin Moor, the
stewart, and a dozen servants, while:
still farther away lounged as many rag
muftins--landless men, who swarmed'
about every gentleman's door In those
times and took toll OF such abbey lands
as the king might have given him.
Against n of the stone gate pillars
l leaned myself, 10 years and six.
months old, and none too wise, though
well grown and as strong as one here
and there. And perched on the top of
the twin post, with his chin on his
knees and his hands clasped about
them, was Martin Luther, the fool.
Martin had chosen this elevated posi-
ton partly out OF curiosity and part
perhaps under a strong sense of
duty. He knew that, whether he would
or no, he must needs look funny I'D
there. His nose was red, and his eyes
were running and his teeth chatter
1 Ing and ha Hid Innir f,,r-.r 49,
as he felt the cold most his patience
failed first. The steady, silent drizzle,
the mist creeping about the stems OF
the oak trees, the leaden sky. proved
too much for him in the end. "a
watched pot never boils," he grumbled
uncle angrily. This is no time for
your fooling. Have a care how you
talk In the same breath OF pots and
my lord bishop"
"Sanctae ecclesiae." Father Carey
broke out, turning UP his eyes In a kind
OF ecstasy, as though he were knee
to e with the prelate-"te defen-
sorem inclytum atque ardentem"-
"Pottum!" cried ], laughing loudly
at my wit.
1t was an Ill hammered word, but I
was cold and peevish. / had been
forced to this function against nv
Will I had never seen the guest whom
we were expecting, n who was no
other than the queens chancellor.
Stephan Gardiner, but I disliked him
as IL / had. In truth, he was related
TO us In a peculiar fashion, which my
different standpoints.
f Sir Anthony viewed with compla-
cence, TX not with pride, any connection
with the powerful bishop of Winches-
ter, for the knight knew the world and
could appreciate h value II sets on
success and the blind eyes IT has for
spots II they do but speckle the ris-
ing sun. l could make no such allow
ance, but, with the pride OF youth and
family, at once despised the great bish-
op for his base blood and blushed that
the same lay on our side. I hated this
parade OF doing honor to him and
would fain have hidden at home with
Petronilla, my cousin, Sir Anthony's
daughter, and awaited our guest there.
The knight, however, had not permitted
this, and / had been forced out, be-
ing In the worst of humors.
So / said "Pottum," and laughed.
SILENCE, boyl" cried Sir Anthony
fercely. He loved an orderly process
sion and to arrange things decently.
"Silence!" he repeated, darling an
angry glance first Mt me and the at his
followers, "or / will warm tina Jacket
of yours, lad! And you, Martin Luther,
see to your tongue for the lex "a
hours and keep IL off my lord bishop.
And, Father Carey hold yourself
ready +.
For here Sir Hot Pot cometh,"
cried the undaunted Martin, skipping
nimbly down from his post Of vantage,
and a dozen of London ~saucepans
with him, or may I never lick the In
side OF n again"
A jest on the sauciness OF London
serving men was sure to tell with the
crowd, n there was a great laugh
at this, especially among the ladless
men, who were on the skirts OF the
party and well sheltered from Sir An
thongs eye. He glared about him,
provoked to find at this critical moment
smiles where there should nave been
looks of Difference, and a ring round
a fool where he had marshaled
a procession. Unluckily he chose
to visit his displeasure upon me.
You won't behave, won't you.
you puppy" he cried. you won't won't
you'll" and stepping forward he aimed
a blow at my shoulders which
would have made me rub myself IL IL
. had raarhad ma Rnf Il was tho nuInE