Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1908-03-19

"Yes!" he shrieked out, suspecting
my purpose and bouncing about i'm his
saddle like a parched pea. Yes. I say"
he roared. DO you near me? You so
your way. and I will go mine"
THAT is a bargain" I said quietly,
and mind you keep to It,"
1 put up my sword with my face
turned from him, lest he should see the
curl OF my lip and the light in my eyes.
In truth. l was uncommonly we'll
pleased with myself and was thinking
that If l came through all my advent
ures as we'll l should do merrily. Out
wardly, however. I tried to ignore my
victory and to make things as easy as
I could for my friend-if one may call
4 man who will not fight him a friend.
a thing I doubt. (Which way are you
going%" l asked amicably-"to STRAIT
ford?"
He nodded, for he was too sullsy to
speak.
"All right" I said cheerrully, feel
ing that my dignity could take are
of itself now. Then SO far we may
go together. Only do you remember
the terms. After dinner each goes his
own way"
He nodded again. n we turned and
went on in silence, cycling one another
askancc, like two ill matched dogs
coupled together. Blu luckily u
forced companionship did not last long.
IL quarter OI u IIillC dIlO u DGIO III luc
road bringing us to the first low. gray
houses of Stratford. A long. struggling
village 1T seemed. made up OF inns
strewn along the road, like beads
threaded on a rosary. And. to be sure.
to complete the likeness. we came pres
entity upon an ancient stone cross
standing on the green. I pulled up in
'front.' of this with a sigh OF pleasure.
.or on either side of 1t. one facing, the
sther. was an inn of the better class.
WELL" 1 said. (which shall 1T be-
the Rose and Grown. or the Crow
without the rose?"
Choose for YOURSELF" he answered
churlishly. II go to the other"
Il shrugged my shoulders. After all,
you cannot make a silk purse out of a
COWS ear, and If a man has not courage
ne is not likely to have good fellow
hip. But the words angered me new
srtheless. for a shabby, hulking fellow
ounging at my elbow overheard them
and grinned. A hiccoughing. blear
:yed mar he was as l had ever met.
~ith a red nose and h rag of a tat
cred cassock about him. I turned
away in annoyance and chose the
Crown at hazard. and pushing my way
through the knot Of horses that stood
.ethered at the door went in. leaving
the two to their devices.
I found Il roaring fire in the great
room and three or four conan stand
ing about it, drinking ale. But I was
hot from walking, so after saluting
them n ordering my meal I went and
sat for choice on a bench by the win
dow away from the fire. The window
was n of a kind common In War
Wickshire houses, long and low and
beetle browed. the story above propect-
ing over it. I sat there a minute look
ing idly out at the inn opposite, a
heavy stone building with a walled
courtyard attached to 1t, such an inn as
was common enough about the time of
the wars Of the roses, when wayfarers
looked rather for safety than comfort.
Presently I saw a boy come out of it
and start up the road at a run. Then.
a minute later, the ragged fellow I had
seen on the green came u n lurched
across the road. He seemed to be maxi
ing, though uncertainty. for my inn.
and, sure enough. just as my bread and
bacon-the latter hot and Kissing
were put before me. he staggered into
the room. bringing a strong smell OF
ale and onions with him. PAX vobis-
cum!" he said, leering at me with tipsy
solemnity.
1 guessed what he was-a monk. one
of those u~nfortunates still to be found
here and there up and down the coun-
try, whom King Henry, when he put
down the monasteries. had made home-
less. did not look on the class with
much favor. thinking that for most Of
them the cloister, even IL the queen
legs again. would have few attractions.
But I saw that the simple farmers re-
ceived his scrap of Latin with respect.
and I nodded civilly as / went on with
my meal.
I was not t get of so easily how
ever. He came II planted himself
opposite to me.
"Pay yobiscum nv son." ne repeat.
ed. THE ale is cheap here and good.''
$50 is the ham. good father" I re-
piled cheerfully. not pausing in my at
tack on the victuals. Il will answer
for 81 much"
We'll. WE'LL" the knave replied, with
ready wit. II breakfasted early. I am
content, Landlord, another plate and a
full tankard. The young gentleman
would have me dine with him."
could not tell whether to be angry
or to laugh at his impudence.
THE gentleman says he will answer
for it," repeated the rascal. with q
twinkle in his eye. az the landlord hes
itated. He ri by no means so drunk
as he looked.
mo. no. father" I cried. joining in
the general laugh into which the farm
ers by the fire broke. "A cup Of ale IL
In reason. and for that I will pay. but
for no more. Drink It and wish me god
speed"
II will do more than that, lad" he
answered. Swaying to and fro my cup,
which he had seized In his grasp, he
laid his hand on h window ledge be-
side me. as though to steady himself.
and stopped until his coarse. puffy face
than that he whispered hoarsely. and
his eyes. peering into mine. were now
sober and full Of meaning. re you do
not want to be put In the stocks OF