Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-03-30

OF Lbe Mtddte ages. H OSt IuHtOuS "
these tales are the French tales Of
the thirteenth century, and from
one of them IS taken the story pre-
semted today. 1t deals Witb that
part of the Champagne from Sois-
sons to ReimS, where today long
line IS held desperately By French
and Germans, who are face to face,
and IN some parts almost aOithtn
touch of each other.
Messire William was a loyal knight
of Champagne who was hOnOred by
all men who priced truth and nobility.
His fortune, however, did not equal
his merit. He possessed a castle, it is
true: but the only income that he had
was obtained painfully in tournaments,
out Of the ransoms of his overthrown
adversaries.
He owned only one thing that was
valuable. 1t was his horse. Gray it
was, fiower-bright Of coat. Never had
men seen another such steed, so proud,
so impetuous and yet so dainty of foot.
Men near and far coveted it and offered
him wealth for it, but he would not lis
ten. Between these two, knight and
horse, there was a great love as be-
tween brothers.
Poor as he was, Messire William set
his heart on the daughter of the rich
est lord in all the Champagne. She
was as good as she was beautiful,
which is no scanty praise, since the
MINISTRIES all sang that she was In
truth part and parcel of the loneliness
of their land.
She gave her heart to the tall, SPLEEN
did knight, but never could they meet
Her father kept her close, never per
uniting her to pass from the battle
ments and walled gardens. Still the
knight rode to her castle every day,
and every day they saw each other and
talked love, though they could do it
only through a gap In the masonry of
a great wall.
Although he we'll knew the futility
of it. Messlre William ventured at
last to ask her father for her hand.
S'Think you l am so besotted as to give
my child to knight who lives by
playY roared the old man. "She shall
marry no beggar l have not yet found
the man, from Scissors to Reims, and
from Reims to Chalons, or from the
Lorraine to Germany, who is rich
enough to match mel This fruit is too
high for your seeking"
Cursed be your fathers wealth p
said the knight when he saw his sweet
heart again.
Il would 60 with you gladly, and be
a beggar" said she. "But my father
is old, and prayers will not move him
for age and youth cannot understand
each other. Yet would counsel you
Have you not an uncle, fully as rich
as my father? And do these two not
greatly honor each other? Why do yor
not ride to him and ask for his inter
CeSsiOnW
The knight took courage and rode Il
his aged relative, who not only agreed
to help him, but started at once, tell
ing the knight to return to his owl
castle and wait for word from him.
1t was an evil word that reached
him after week of anxious waiting.
friend brought him the news that hi
uncle had wOoed indeed, but not TO
his nephew. He had wooed and VOL
for himself, and the girl, locked safel,
within the castle, could do nothing blu
wiring her hands.
Scarcely had the news reached tn
poor knight before one of the noble
mans varlets arrived to ask him TO
his steed. my lord prays you," wa
the message, ito lead your beautiful
horse to carry his daughter in homo
and state to the church on her wed
ding morn"
May heaven bless my wicked incl
. never for this foul, reasonable deed !
lamented the knight. "He has kille
b. met Cain wrought no redder wrong
Yet will send my horse gladly to he
who gave me her dear love. 1t is tn
last service can do her. Never sha
:. hear her sweet voice again or see he
come to meet me, dainty-fair! Saddl
the horse with my best gear and lea
it TO the most tender of maidens!"
That night the wedding company /
the rich mans castle Toasted and mad
so merry that when the warders sounC
ed their trumpets at dawn to awake
all for the wedding journey to tn
church, city guests and guards wer
alike sleepy and before they had riC
den far they were nOdding in their SAT
dies.
Even those who were detailed
guard the bride rode with closed eye
Soon there was none to guide IL
brides horse, for she rode weepin
with thoughts far away, and the reiI
lay idle on the animals neck.
., When the procession entered a dev
Gus forest trail, the horse, being left
itself, turned off on his own accoul
and entered hidden woodland pat
that led to Messire Williams home.
The weeping bride became aware
last that she was alone; but as u
II