The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-07-09
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BY LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

Famous In English history is that
Duke Of Gloucester who murdered his
two nephews in the Tower of London,
one of whom was the rightful heir to
the throne. and made himself king Of
England In the princes stead.
At that time there lived In England
Robert Percy, u young man Of the
most admirable qualities. 1t was some
time before the secret Of the murder
Of the young princes began to leak
out, and when 1t did there were low
mutterings on the part OF the people.
Percy, who was familiar with the
kings t%reachery, was more loud spoken
than others. and Richard. aware Of
the young mans influence with the
masses and fearing that he would
bring about a revolt. ordered his arrest
on IL charge of high treason.
On the day that Percy was conduct
ell along a street leading to the Tower.
surrounded by men at arms, the curbs
were lined with s%ympathizers, who
breathed prayers that he might escape
the danger threatening him and NUT
tered maledictions on the head of tho
tyrant.
At an upper window stood Lady
Gwendolen Bickford, a younger daugh-
ter Of the Earl of Clarendon. She
looked down on young Percy, walking
erect between his guards, his bearing
indicating that he was ready and will
ing to lay down his life in contcnding
against crime. Every n believed
that he was going to his death. His
manly beauty, his noble bearing and
the crown of martyrdom rendered him
an object Of pity to all. But to Lady
Gwendolen he was more than this.
Within those few minutes during
which he was passing her heart left
her bosom and settled upon him. Per
cy, happening to look in her direction,
saw the lovelight in her eyes, and bis
load was lightened.
Richard, fearing to order Percy to
execution without a trial, lest 1t excite
the people to revolt, directed attorneys
to prepare a case against him. Per
sons were bribed to swear that he had
been heard advocating the kings as
sassination and placing the Duke Of
Richmond on the throne. Lady Gwen
dolen, hearing Of this, begged her IA
Their to induce lawyers to defend the
accused. The earl not only knew that
the case was hopeless, but did not dare
to oppose the king: consequently he
refused to have anything to do with it.
One day Lady Gwendolen went to
that quarter Of London given over to
lawyers and found Roger Moore, an
old attorney who had served her ia
Their, and consulted him as to what
might be done to save young Percy.
After listening to what the girl had to
say he replied that Percy's case was
hopeless because the king had decreed
that he should die. Gle will surely be
convicted" said the old CATER
his conviction there is but one way by
which he may legally escape the gal
lows. But should he go free under this
statute the king would doubtless find
some other way to get rid of him."
Lady Gwendolen asked the attorney
to what law he referred. and he re-
piled that it was a decree of King Ed
ward w.. naming a condition OF which
a man about to be hanged should 60
free. As soon as the girl heard the
condition her face lighted with hope.
10 fulfill 1t was possible. but would it
avail in the end?
Percy was convicted Of high treason
against the king and sentenced to be
hanged and quartered on a certain
date. At the time an army was gath
.ering under the Duke Of Richmond to
depose the king, and Richard was gath
ering his forces to meet 1t. There had
been a former attempt to put the duke
on the throne in the kings place, but
Richard was as bold and energetic as
he vas wicked and had defeated all
attempts, against his authority.
There was no n he feared to leave
In his rear so much US Robert Percy,
and when he had made all prepara-
tons to march against his opponents
he delayed a day to make sure that
this dangerous enemy was dead.
The day before the one set for the
execution Lady Gwendolen Bickford
was closeted with Roger Moore, and
on the following morning, when the
crowd went to Tyburn to witness the
hanging, these two were Of the num-
Der. and when the prisoner arrived
they occupied seats neat the scafn:!
When all was ready and the can
demned nan was about to be SWIM.
OF Roger Moore arose and said:
"Mr. Sheriff, as counsel for the rnis-
oner l claim his body under an e,:"
Of King Edward w.. who decreed tn Z
whenever a man Is convicted Of crians
and is about to be hanged. IL there L..
a woman willing to marry him. liz.
shall go free. This woman beside me i,
willing and ready to marry the pris,
oner."
This speech naturally disconnected
the sheriff. who had never heard OF
the statute. The Judge who had con.
victed the prisoner was present at the
hanging and the matter was referred
to him. He at once confirmed Roger
Moore's statement. whereupon Percy
was unbound. the black cap taken
from his head. and he looked dow.