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Show THEJS) LVCK 9f RASTVS THE LION'S WHELP A Story of Cromwell's Time. fore she Jumped up an' said: "Maw, you gotter help me cancel ali dem Invites, right quick, 'cause ey won't Do be no reception heah BY AMELIA E. BARR. to-nig- ht Author of "The Bow of Oran Ribbon." "I. Thovi and tho Othor "Tho Maid of Maiden Lno." Etc. hurry!' "De ole lady looked like she'd drop in a faint. 'What on earth done all you, Grace? she ax. 'What's in dat Lemme resd it dla very letter? (Copyright. minit.' "Yes, Suh, I suttenly doe3 b'lleve in luck, Suh," said Rastus, wiping the lather out of his victim's eye and spreading a fresh layer on his bristly chin. "Some folks says dey ain't no sech t'lng as luck. Huh! Dem's de very folks dat ain't nevah had no luck. Dat'B why dey don't believe In it. Dat's Tight, Suh. Ain't I got a neat li'l business heah? Don't I make moan in a week den most cullud folks makes In a month? Well, Suh, it all come from a stroke uv luck Jest pure, plain, eve'y-daluck. Like to heah all about it, you say. Suh? Suttenly I'll tell you. "When I fust struck N'York I warn't wurth a dollar. All I could get was a ole close Job goin round buyin up ole close, you know. Suh, an holler-ICash paid.' "De man I worked for larnt me how to clean and press close, which I done rainy days. Dat where luck struck me one day when I was brushln up a mighty nice black coat dat warn't hardly worn none, but had got too li'l for de gent that owned it. I turned de pockets Inside out an had started to press it when I felt surapin rattle twlxt de linin' an' de tail of de coat. It was a letter, done sealed an' stamped an' addressed to a lady over in Eighty-firs- t street. "You know, Suh, de finder keeps. I didn't let my boss see dat letter, but made out to spell through It myself. It was a sure enough love letter tellin' de lady dat Mr. Jack Winters had done make up his mind to go to Drazil de very next day an' he Jest couldn't go widout tellin her how much he love her. It sure was a purty letter. 'Peared like dey's had a sort of fuss an Mr. Jack Winters was might' anxious to make up, but was 'feared the lady warn't uv dat opinion. He didn't ax her tl write back. Stead of dat he tell her to be down at de warf de next afternoon to bid him good-byso's he know by dat whether she give him any hope for the future. De date was eight months old, so it look like a losin' Job to waste any time deliverin dat letter, but I Jest fought I'd try an' see what come uv it, so I went ovah to dat address dat ve'y evenin'. "Well, suh. I found de young lady ure enough a powerful purty girl she was, too, but she didn't look to say real happy, spite uv her good looks. She hadn't no moah den glanced at it y n e "De young lady didn't pay no 'ten-tio- n a tall. She set down 'fore her desk an' writ an' writ faster den I evah see anybody chase a pen, an' in Jest about five mlnits Bho had a pile uv notes ready for me to 'stribute. " 'I'll give you a dollar apiece to deliver dera letters,' she says. 'Don't fergit a single one, 'cause de mattah is ve'y impohtant. "Well, suh, mebbe I didn't hustle. Dey was eighteen notes to deliver, an I done it all Inside uv two hours. When de folks axed questions I say, like de lady told me, 'Miss Grace ain't well.' Dat's all she say foh me to tell 'em. At 9 o'clock I was back an' she gimme eighteen dollars sure enough in spite of her maw's objections, which was ve'y strong, for de ole lady was still mad as a hornet 'Now,' says de young lady, 'I got one moah letter for you to take care uv, an' when I gits de answer you're goin' to heah from me right off, so leave me your address so's I can write to you.' "Well, Suh, dat last letter was addressed to Mr. Jack Winters in Brazil de answer to de one I found in de coat. Long about five weeks later, when I'd begun to fink Mr. Jack Winters never got his letter after all. here come a rote from de young lady sayln' she wanted me to call at a certain office down town, where I'd find sum-pito int'rest me. What you s'pose I found? Five nice new five dollar De bills, sure as you're bawn, Suh. me Mr. to said 'em handed dat gent Jack Winters ordered de money to be delivered to me. He said he was Mr. Jack's brother, an' de ve'y man what fergot to mail dat letter, not dat he actually plum fergot, but when he looked In his pocket an' found it gone he Jest natehully 'lowed he'd done dropped it wid oder letters in the box, an never give It anoder thought. "He said Miss Grace come mighty near bein persuaded Into havln' an oder man dat she as well as promised her maw to nke dat ve'y night I brung her de letter what broke up de pahty. He mentioned dat Miss Grace an Mr. Jack aimed to git married soon as he could git back from Brazil. dollars "Well. Suh, em forty-threbought out de pahtner uv de man what uster run dis barber shop when It warn't what it am now. I tented strictly to business for six months, when I bought out de oder pahtner an set up for myself. Dat warn't much moah'n two years ago. You see for yourself. Suh, how well I done. It all come from flndin dat letter. If dat warn't luck what was it, Suh?" New York Times. n' 1101, by Dodd, Mead CHAPTER VIII. (Continued.) There was no use prolonging a conversation so hopeless. She was both angry and scornful, and she sought out her mother and found her resting in her own room. "I get tired soon in the day, Jane," she said, "I think it is the London air, and the strange life, and the constant fear of some change. No one seems to know what a day will bring forth. Did you see Stephen?" "Yes." "It can't be, I suppose?" "You know it can't be, mother." She was hurt at the question. It was a wrong to Cluny, and she said with some temper, "it could not be under any circumstances. The man is mean, he has just threatened me. If I bad not been a woman I would have given him his threat back in his teeth. I would rather be Cluny's wife, if Cluny had not a crown." The next day Cymlin went to Jev-erHouse and reported on his return, its forlorn emptiness. There were only two or three servants there, and they had no idea when the family would return. Aoout a week after Matilda's departure Cluny called early one evening and asked Jane to go with him to Mr. Milton's house In Petty France. They sauntered through St. James' park, and soon lost sight of all humanity, and were conscious only of each other's presence. So much so, that they never noticed a figure which emerged from behind a clump of shrubs, and stood looking at them. It was the Lord General. His face was grave, but not unhappy, and when he saw Cluny and Jane he stood still a moment, and then quietly withdrew into the shadow he had left. A smile was round his mouth, and his lips moved In words of blessing as he took another path to the gate he wished, 'and there was a feeling of pleasure yet in his heart when he entered the sombre apart- y & Company. On." All rights re.erved.) things which makes spring so delightful. Early in the morning Jane's friends called for her, and they went away together full of youth's enthusiasm and anticipation. They took the road to the river, and to the sound of music and the falling and dipping of the oars they reached Richmond and soon spread the contents of their hampers upon the grass under some great oaks in the secluded park. After a happy, leisurely meal, they spent the rest of their holiday in wandering through the palace, until its melancholy, monastic grandeur subdued them almost to silence. It was like passing from death unto life to come out of these caverns into the light and glory of the westering sun, to feel its warmth, and see its brave colors, and hear the cuckoo, like a wandering voice among the trees. Soon they were at the river stairs, and as they passed through the city they were instantly aware of great excitement. It was Impossible not to feel that something of great moment had happened, or was going to happen; and when Jane entered the hall at Sandys and saw Doctor Verity's hat and cloak there, she expected that he had come with information. The next moment Mrs. Swaffham came hurriedly forward. "Mother," cried Jane, "what is the matter? What has happened?" And Mrs. Swaffham answered: "The strangest thing that ever happened in England." Even while she spoke they heard Gen. Swaffham coming up the steps, the clatter of his arms emphasizing his perturbed feelings. He had scarcely entered the door ere Doctor Verity came into the hall crying: "Is it true. Israel? Is It true?" "Quite true." "And well done?" "Well done. I am sure of it." Men and women went into the parI lor together, and a servant began to I e Rs Our Savior Looked 3 In the Vatican, at Rome, is carefully preserved an epistle to the senate and people of Rome, written by Publius Lentullus, who was a ruler In Judea about the time of Christ The document reads as follows: "There appeared In these our days a man of great virtue, named Jesus Christ, who Is yet living amongst us, and by the Gentiles Is accepted for a prophet of truth, but His own disciples call Him the Son of God. He ralseth the dead and cureth all manner of diseases. A Han of stature somewhat tall and comely, with a very reverend countenance, such as beholders may both love and fear; His hair is of the color of the philibert full ripe; and plain almost down to His ears; but from the ears downward somewhat curled, and more orient of color, waving on His shoulders. In the midst of His head goeth a seam or partition of His hair, after the manner of the Nazar ites; his forehead very plain and smooth. His face without a spot or wrinkle, beautiful with a comely red; His nose and mouth so formed as His nothing can be reprehended; beard somewhat thick, agreeable in color to the hair of His head, not of any great length. In the midst of an innocent and mature look; His eyes grey, clear, and quick. In reproving He Is terrible, in admonishing cour teous and fair spoken, pleasant In speech, mixed with gravity. It can not be remembered that any have ever seen Him laugh, but many have se?n Him weep. In proportion of body. well shaped and straight; His hands and arms right and delectable to be hold; In speaking, very temperate. modest, and wise a Man for slngu lar beauty surpassing the children of men." Quaint French Town It seems hardly credible that not more than thirty minutes from the noise and bustle of Paris there lies a village that is so quiet, so peaceful, and so old fashioned that one would Imagine one's self at least a hundred miles away from the gay capital. Here at this Tillage, La Frette by name, and about fifteen minutes' walk from preparations for midday and venlng repasts have to be made very such thing early in the morning, for nowalk to as a cafe Is near, and the ! one which one considers twice before taking, for It Is up steep and rough roads. So dally, butcher, baker end green grocer pass this ualnt place, nd the villagers gather about the tradesmen and make their purchases. They also buy clothes In this manon ner, and may often be seen tryingmid-ale bonnets, dresses and boots In the seenio a From of the street. point Cor-meille- s, Cor-tneill- es of view, all artists have agreed that there is no place to equal La Frette. To the left of the village Is the park of Maisons Laffltte, and facing the park Is Cartrouvllle, while opposite lies the forest of St Germain, In all Its splendor. To the right is Herblay, quite an Important place, whose church is visible for miles along the Seine. La Frette itself has the quaint est villagers possible. Many of them speak worse French than those of the Midi, and It Is an event when one makes a Journey to the capital They are Unlftiest of the thrifty. Only short time ago one of the peasants gave his daughter 250,000 francs on her wedding day, and another is to receive the same amount on her ap And yet this proaching marriage. man, who must be worth 4,000,000 or 1,000,000 francs, lives In a patched-uhouse and digs In the fields from earl morning till late at night. p Take that bauble awayP meet where Irrael Swaffham. with a remove the General's cavalry boots guard of soldiers, was In attendance. and spurs. "I told you. Doctor, this He then entered a lofty, royally morning, that a settlement of some furnished room, wbere the council kind must come When I were waiting his arrival officers of reached Whitehall I found the Lord the army, and members of Parlia- General waiting for Sir Harry Vane ment. and the members who bad promised Cromwell opened the discussion by to come and continue the conference reminding the members that be had relating to the bill early In the day. already held more than a dozen meet- The General was occupying himself ings, in order to Induce Parliament to with a book, but as the hours went Issne an Act for the election of a new by he grew restless and laid It down. Parliament, and then discharge Itself. Then be turned to me and said. "This is what the people want In Truly these men are long In coming; every corner of the nation, he said, are you ready. General?' and before "and they are laying at our doors I could answer he asked again 'ready of this duty and and willing? 1 told him a word the of their wishes.' would move my troop as one man, Hazelrig reminded him that Parlia- if that word came from himself, and ment had determined to dissolve on he waited silently a little longer. the td of the ensuing November, Then Lord Cluny Neville came in after calling for a new election. very hastily, and said a few words, I "It is now only the 19th of April." know not what they were, and he had answered Cromwell, sharply. "Give scarce gone when Col. Ingoldsby enme leave to tell you that the 3d of tered, and ther was no secrecy then. November will not do. 8uch a far-of- f "My lord! he cried, 'Parliament promise Is but words for children. I is sitting at this moment, and Sir will better It. I will say Harry Vane, Sidney and Henry MarThis speech had a marked effect. ten are urging the Immediate passThe Parliamentary members agreed age of the bill so hateful to the s whole nation.' to let the bill for perpetuating live over until after another "Then Cromwell roused himself conference to be held the following like an angry lion. His passion at day, and with this understanding, the this perfidious conduct leaped Into members of the Council separated. flame, he shouted to Lambert and his own troop of Ironsides. He gave me CHAPTER IX. the signal I understood, and we went quickly to the Parliament house, Cromwell Interfere. "But what then?" asked Doctor Daylight came with that soft radi- Verity, his face burning with the ance of sunshine over fresh green eacar soul behind It to-da- them-selve- "I stood at the door watching him. Ht went to his usual seat, but In very great and majestic manner, and for a little while he listened to th debate. Then he beckoned Majoi General Harrison and told him ht judged 'It was high time to dlssolv this Parliament.' And Harrison toll me this afternoon, that heaavised Cromwell to consider what he would do, for It was a work great and da gerous, and who, he asked, 'is suffi cient for it?" And Cromwell answer ed, 'The Servant of the Lord, he Is sufficient, yet he sat down again, looking at me as he did so, and I looked back straight into his eyes thai I and mine could be depended on. "In a few minutes the question fot passing the bill was put, and the man He could be restrained no longer. stood up, took off his hat, and looked around the House, and it quailed under his eyes, every man in It shift ed on his seat and was uneasy. He began to speak, and it was with a He reproached tohgue of flame. and theti them for their hypocrisy and oppression, and as h went on, there was the roar of a lion in his voice, and the members, being condemned of their own consciences, cowered before him." "Did no one open their mouth against him?" "No one but Sir Peter Wentworth. He said, 'My Lord General, this Parliament has done great things for England,' and Cromwell answered, 'The 6poke in the wheel that creaks most does not bear the burden in the cart!' Then Sir Peter told Cromwell his abuse of the Parliament was the more horrid because it came from the servant of the Parliament, the man they had trusted and obliged." At these words Dr. Verity laughed loudly "Cromwell, the servant of such a Parliament!" he cried. "Not he; what then, Israel?" "He told Wentworth to be quiet. He said he had heard enough of such talk, and putting on his hat, he took the floor of the House. I watched him as he did so. He breathed inward, like one who has a business of life and death in hand. I could see on his face that he was going to do the deed that had been the secret of his breast for many days; and his walk was that quick stride with which he ever went to meet an enemy. He stood in the middle of the House, and began to accuse the members personally. His words were swords. He flung them at the men as If they were javelins; shot them in their faces as If from a pistol. He told them that the Lord had done with them. He said they were no Parliament, and that he had been sent to put an end to their sitting and their prating. "And at these words Cluny Neville spoke to tie Sergeant, and he opened the doors, and some musketeers entered the House. Then Sir Harry Vane cried out, This Is not honest,' and Cromwell reminded him of his own broken promise, and they began to go out, at first slowly, and then In a hurry, treading on the heels of each other." "What of Lenthall? He has a stubborn wilL" "He eat still in the Speaker's chair, until Cromwell ordered him to come down. For a moment he hesitated, but Gen. Harrison said, 'I will lend you my hand, sir;' and so he also went out." "But was there no attempt to stay such dismissals? I am amazed, dumbfounded!" said Doctor Verity. "Alderman Allen, the Treasurer of the Army, as he went out said something to Cromwell which angered him very much; and he then and there charged Allen with a shortage of one hundred thousand pounds, and committed him to the care of a muakefc eer for examination. I tell you, there was no gainsaying the Cromwell of this hour. He was more than mor tal man; and Vane and the others knew, if they had not known before, why he was never defeated tn batmy men being in the lobby. - self-seekin- g tle" "After the Speaker had left, what then? "His eye fell upon the Mace, end he said scornfully to some of the Iron sides, Take that bauble away!' Then he ordered the musketeers to clear the House, he himself walking up to Its Clerk and taking from under bis arm the bill which had caused the trouble, and which was ready to pass. He ordered the man to ge home, and he slipped away without a question. Cromwell was the last soul to leave the Chamber, and as he went out of It he locked the door and put the key In his pocket. He then walked quietly back to hit rooms In the Cockpit." "He will need God on his tight hand and on his left," said Doctor Verity. "More thsn we can tell will come of this Implacable hostility, rancorous jealousy, everlasting envy and spite. The members" "The members," Interrupted Gn tied themselves, Swaffham, "have hands and feet, with cords of their own spinning, and Oliver Cromwell holds the ends of them. They will not dare to open their mouths." (To be continued.) |