Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-12-27
farthest corner Of the field:
"Sir Kniphts'

ldl SOIlel VI thS uCiu.
"Sr knights!
"The tournament to which We are
gathered today Is to us traditional; a
rite Of antiquity and monument OF
ancient generations. This relic Of the
jousts Of the Field OF the Cloth-og Gold
points us back to an era Of knightly
deeds, fidelity to sacred trust, obliga-
ton to duty and loyalty to woman-the
watchwords Of true knighthood.
eve like to think that when our
forefathers, offspring OF men who es-
tablished chivalry, came from over
seas, they brought with them not only
this ancient play, but the precepts 1t
symbolizes. We may be proud, in
deed, knowing that this is no hollow
ceremonial. but an earnest that the
flower Of knight-hood has not withered
in the world, that In an age when the
greed Of gold was never SO dazzling.
the spirit Of true gallantry has not
faded but blooms luxuriant in the
sparkling dews Of the heart Of this
commonwealth.
Yours is no bitter ride by haunted
tarn or through enchanted forest-no
arrowed vigil on beleagered walls. You
60 not in cleaning steel and fretted
mail to meet the bite OF blade and
crash of battle-ax. Yet is your trial
one Of honor and glory. l charge you
that In the contest there be no dark
ling envy for the victor, but only true
comradeship and that generosity
which is the badge Of noble minds.
81 summon you to bow the knee
Loyalty before your queen. For az the
contest typifles llfes battle. so shall
she stand for you as the type of WON
anhood, the crown of knighthood. The
bravest thoughts Of chivalry circle
about her. The stars Of heaven only
may be above her head, the glowworm
| in the nightchill grasses the only fire
at her feet; still the spot that holds
her is richer than If ceiled with cedar
and painted with vermilion, and sheds
a light far for him who else were
lampless.
"Most Noble knights! In the name
Of that high tradition which this day
preserves! In the memory Of those
other knights who practiced the
tourney in its old-time glory! In the
sight Of your Queen Of Beauty.
charge you, Southern gentlemen, to
joust with that valor, fairness and
truth which are the enduring glories
Of the knighthood of Virginia."
Over the ringing applause Nancy
Chalmers looked at him with a little
smile, quizzical yet soft. Dear old
major!" she whispered to Betty Page
"How he loves the center Of the stage!
And he's effective, too. Thirty years
ago, father says. he might have been
I, <o Unit nT
States senator. But he would never
leave the state. Not that blame him
for that" she added; 'Td rather be a
church-mouse in Virginia than Croe
sus' daughter anywhere else
| The twelve horsemen were now
sitting their FESTIVE mounts in a group
at one end Of the list. Two mounted
monitors had stationed themselves on
either side of the rope-barrier; third
stood behind the upright from whose
arm was suspended the silver ring
The herald blew blast, calling the
/ title of the first Of the knights, In
fstantly, with lance at rest, the latter
galloped at full speed down the lists
There was sharp musical clash, and
as he dashed on, the ring flew the full
length of its tether and swung back,
whirling swiftly It had been a close
thrust, for the iron pike-point had
smitten it's rim A cheer went up
under cover Of which the rider looped
back outside the lists to his former
position.
| In an upper tier of the stand a
spectator made a cup Of his hands
"The knight Of the Golden Spur
against the field" he called. "What
odds?'
Give to one, spatteswood, voice
answered
"Ten dollars" announced the first
Good" And both made memoran
dums on their cuffs.
| A second time the trumpet sounded
and the knight of Castlewood flashed
|ingloriously down the roped aisle
miss.
Again and again the clear note rang
out and mounted figure plunged by
and presently, in a burst Of cheering
the herald proclaimed "The Knight o.
the Black Eagle-one!" and Chilly
Lusk, In old-rose doublet and inky
plume cantered back with silver rims
upon his pike.
| Inc naZarQS IN the StaHu multiplied
Now it was Westover's Knight against
him Of the Silver Cross; now, the Lore
of Brandon to win. The gentlemen
wagered coin of the realm: the ladies
gloves and chocolates. One pretty
girl. amid a gale Of chaff, staked 6
greyhound puppy. The arena swan 1r
lustrous light, and the greenswart
glistened in it's frame of white anc
dusky spectators. In the shunshine
the horses-every one Of them groomet
It'll his coat shone like black, gray OF
sorrel satin-curveted and whinnied
FESTIVE and red-nostriled under the
tense rein. The riders sat erect anc
statuesque, pixies in air. cloaks fappine
from their shoulders, waiting the cal
that sent each in turn fitting against
the glittering and elusively breeze
lswinging silver circlet.
No simple thing, approaching leis
,urely and afoot, to send that taperins
point straight to the tiny mark But
at headlong gallop, astrlde bloodet
horse straining to take the bit, deco
requiring nice eye, a perfect seat ant
= L. IL