Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-04-18
t Ten Minute Classics /
Famous Tales and Legends Told in Brief Form
Love Story Of the Battle Scared Land Of Champagne
J. W. MULLER
I.....
Copyright BY ]. W. Muller
BY J. IA. ULLE r

May heaven bless my wicked uncle
never for this foul, reasonable deed !"
lamented the knight. "He has killed
me! Cain wrought no redder wrong |!
Yet l will send my horse gladly 70 her
who gave me her dear love. 1t Is the
last service | can do her. Never shall
hear her sweet voice again or see her
come to meet me, dainty-fair Saddle
the horse with my best gear and lead
1t to the most tender of maidens!"
That night the wedding company in
the rich mans castle Toasted and made
so merry that when the warders sound
ed their trumpets at dawn to awaken
all for the wedding journey to the
church, city guests and guards were
alike sleepy and before they had rid.
den far they were nOdding in their sad
dies.
Even those who We're detailed to
guard the bride rode with closed eyes.
Soon there was none to guide the
brides horse, for she rode weeping
with thoughts far away, and the reins
lay idle on the animals neck.
When the procession entered a devil
Gus forest trail, the horse, being left to
itself, turned off on his own account
and entered hidden woodland path
that led to Messire Williams home.
The weeping bride became aware at
last that she was alone; but as the
horse ambled Oh with great gentleness,
and she did not know which way to
go, she permitted it to take her with
er it would. Soon it stopped before
castle.
A warder ran to the knight, who was
wan and broken from long hours of I'M
availing grief. "Oh. sir" cried the
man. There is before the draw-bridge
O most wondrous lovely woman. clad
richly in scarlet and gold. Never have
we seen any so slim, so dainty, so
sweet! And, lord, she rides on your
horsei"
The knight bounded down the stairs
and through the portal. He lifted down
the bride, kissing her hundred times
and more. Then he sent for chaplain
and led her to the chapel of his house
where they were married forthwith.
In the meantime, there was wild
trouble among the wedding party. The
old lord and the old bridegroom tore
their boards and laid Justify with whip
and boot on the guards, who made mad
clamor, blaming each other. To them
at last spurred rider sent by Messire
William with this message:
"Sr, my master sends you assur-
ance Of his great friendship. He also
charges me to say to his uncle. who
betrayed him so shamefully, that he
pardons him the more easily for the
reason that your daughter has given
herself to him as gift this day"
The old lord listened with wonder
and anger. But he took thought TO
and concluded that since she
was married. nothing he could dc
would undo it. Therefore, presently,
all the company rode peacefully to the
knights castle, where the old noble
embraced his undesired son-in-law with
all courtesy, while the graybeard of
bridegroom who was not q bridegroom
tried in vain to discover a few crumbs
of comfort that mil ht console him.
Failing in this, he went home and
died, which was a favor to Messire
William, since all his wealth went to
the knight. And there is no trouba-
1our in Champagne who ever has told
Or sung this story who was not forced
to add, in accordance with the truth,
hat there never was horse in all the
world that was so honOred and beloved
IS the horse that stole the bride and
brought her to her bridegroom.