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About The new age. (Portland, Or.) 1896-1905 | View Entire Issue (June 14, 1902)
iMxsr-.enexxKTrr.srf:,: THE NEW AGE, PORTLAND, OREGON. RALPH UHMTS nCDIAT BY WILLIAM MINTO. kiWiWaM.'jtfWk'iA'iA'iA'rAiKftft CHAPTER XX Continued. Tho first Jmlf of tliu Fourteenth cen tury, putting it broadly, una n crucial etagc in tliu hlhtory of villolnno in KiiKinnd, tliu natural tcndcncicH to ex press for virtual emancipation being helped liy the intervention of tlie inin intern religion, wlio urged upon iimstcrti that tliu titnnuuiisHiou of Hlaes was a pious and a nieritorioiiH net before God and man. Then came a variety of caiiH'M telling unfavorably upon all who lincl either thomsulvoH lieon, or whom ancestors had been, in a Htnto of rerf dotn, and who could not produce docu mentary evidence of their freedom. First, there was tho terrible calamity of the ISalcK Plague, Which enormouHly increased the value of labor. Masters wore thereby tempted not only to oxact the utmost possible from such torfs as remained to thorn, but also to reclaim many who had been using tho priv ileges of freemen. Foreign wars and court splendor increased tho number of absentee lords; a general rise in tho ecnlo of living augmented their de mands upon thoir estates, and stimu lated tho sharpness of uuscruplous bailiffs- Tho substitution of leasehold farniB for domesno farms told In the same direction of nggravatihg tho con dition of tho bondmen. Tliolr t-orvlees were often part of tho lease, and were nioro sharply scon to than they had been under the customary lord. Sim ilarly with estates that were sold to commercial Investors eager to mako tho mcift out of the soil. .Many causes thus combined to exas perate tho agrarian population. In ov ory parish tho machinery of tho law was in action under tho plea of tech nical rights to thrust thorn back into tho base torvltudo from which they had gradually freed thoniselves. Thousands who had tasted tho sweets of freedom found thomselvos in danger. They had no chanco In tho courts of law agalnvt superiors who claimed rights of service over them. Apart from chicanery and corruption the law naturally laid stress on formal documents, and tho valuo of Uiomi was only now bocoming apparent to tho poor and ignorant, homo vlll olns who had purchnml tliolr freedom met to carouse over tho happy ovent. Tho carousal was prolonged Into tho night; tliolr lights failed them; and they used tho wax seals of tliolr deeds of manumission for candlos. Thoir lord, hearing of this, reclaimed them, and tho law suttainod his claim. In another case, a wealthy (armor, of ser vile origin, was called upon to pay an exorbitant rent. Ho refused. The ab bot, who was his sufierlor lord, sent a force of men to his houso, who broke It open, beat him and his servants, and carried off as much of his stock as thov pleased. Tho farmer brought an action against the abbot, but tho abbot simply pleaded that the man was his nativus, Ills horn t-orf, and no serf could sue his owner in a court of law. Thero were hundreds of such caues, Old court rolls uero produced with tho names of tenants or tliolr ancestors in thorn a bondmen; if no formal deed could be produced on the othur side, tho cam was at an oud. r'orgorlos wore fnoly made, and still more freely MHpected: legal learning and skill weru all on the side of the rich. This was how "the craft of clerks" became hateful to the peasantry, so that among the more ig norant, ability to read and write was regarded as a criminal accomplishment. Of course there was another side to the ipinriel between master and bond man. The matter could make out a good enough cai-o to justify his con K'ioimi in pressing for his legal righK It was ho that was tliu ill-used man in his own eyes; the serf that was un grateful ami unreasonable. It was for the kindness and iuilulgiico of himself and his fathers that ho was now made to suffer. In effect, It came to this, that he was liko a big brother, who should allow the use of his toys to a yo ngor when he did not want them hiuitolf, or when Iim chanced to he in a generous moot). Tho day conies when tho big brother wants to have them back, and ho tluds to bis auger that a new right of property has been estab lished, and that they are no longer re garded as his. If he tries to reclaim them, bickerings and heart-burnings urine. With children of a larger grow th tho resentment on both sides is propor tionately fierce. To such outrageous lengths won) technical rights, real or spurious, pushed by tho lords of tho foil, and such pitiless cruelty was used lu en forcing them, that tho champions of the enraged peasantry saw no hope of relief except in the total abolition of t-orfdout by tho issue of wholoalo charters of manumission direct from tho king. They t-tlll had a touching faith in him as tho foundation of jus tice, the supremo tourco of law and or der. To him they still looked for pro tection against pillage ami extortion, if only his ear could bo disabused of tho (also H)rsuasioiis of evil couutollom. The leaders whom wo have toon at work organiilug combination among tho discontented peasants know tho value of a definite demand, the justice of which was widely felt, in binding scattered units together, A novel and unpopular tax to which every adult was liable guvo them additional lever ago. The time was now ripe for formulat ing their demands uud supporting them by what Is known in International pol itics as a "moral demonstart lop ;" the demonstration Mug made hi this case not with ironclads, but by u great ris ing of the poor commons with anus in on mmmmmmw thoir hands. It was hoped that tho mere show of ctrenuth would suffice. That their professions on this head were sincere was abundantly proved by thoir ftibVqucnt conduct. IJutflrht tho young king from whom rortonallv thoy were to demand eman cipation, and of wnom thoy had more hope than of older men hardened in their iniquities must bo clearly In formed as to their objects and assured of their loyalty to his person. No show of strength could bo made till midsummer, when tho days woro long and the nights woro warm, and there was little work to bo done in the fields; but meantime tho king's mind might bo prepared for their demands. And for this mission, John Klrby, who passed under tho namo of Simon d'Ypres and other aliases, thought of Ilalph Ilardelot. It was a mlBslon not without danger, as Klrby well know. Out Ilalph was of tho stuff of w.hlch martyrB arc mndo. There was no reason why ho should bo dented his destiny. At any rate, somobody .must bo had for tho servlco, and Ralph was at hand. His liberation from Cambridge Cos tlo was easy enough. It was a slmplo matter of brlbory. With an Inconsis tency of which perhaps ho was not conscious, Klrby did not hostltato to mako uso of tho corruption that It was his aim to uproot. If It did cross his mind that thero was any harm In bribing Ralph's jailors, tho end doubt less justified tho means. There was greater difficulty In per suading Ralph to tako tho liberty of fered Id m. Ho clung obstinately to tho Idea that oscnpo would look like guilt; but at last whon all that Law ronco had learned was mado known to him, ho was brought to sco that in escape lay his only chanco of clearing his character. About a fortnight after Clara's in terview with Lawronco, Klrby's ne phew, a little bit of stick planed on one of Its faces was put Into hor hands by a beggar as alio came out of St. Paul's In tho train of tho princess. This rudo tablet had written on It tho single word FREE. CHAPTER XXI. February and March had passed, and tho warm rains of April had bo gun boforo tho princess was called upon to redeem hor promlso to pro euro an Intorvlow with tho king. Lawrence Klrby moro than onco saw Clara, and brought heroic wspf Ralph's welfare. The oxcuso he gave for tho delay waB that Ralph had suffered so much from his throo months' Im prisonment In Cambrldgo Castle that It would tako him, some tlmo to re cover his strength. Thoro was an other reason, but of this Clara was not informed. Simon d'Ypres was In no hurry. Tho champions of tho com-' nions did not consider It advisablo to approach tho king too long boforo tho peasants woro ready for action. Ono day during tho Portuguese am bassador's stay at WostmlnlBtor, tho king called at tho Wardrobe, where tho princess was lodged, and was told that Ralph Hurdclot was In waiting to see him. Tho princess was most unwilling to encourago hor son, who was not yet quite fifteen, to do any thing without tho ndvlco of his ap pointed guardians and counsellors, lint she held herself hound by hor pro mlso to Clara, and thought no harm could coino of giving tho young man an opportunity of clearing himself. Richard looked displeased at first, but catching Clara In tho act of steal ing an anxious look at his counton nnco, ho turned to hor and began to rally her on nnothor subloct. "Ah, Mistress Clara." ho said, "I havo tid ings for you about your doughty hus band. Ho has como back with my un cle of Hiicklngham, not n scratch the worse, and gouo down to Sturmcro to settle accounts with Ills tenants. Threo shiploads of good men wore cast away and polished on tho voyago homownrd; pity ho was not nmong them, but Sntnu Is kind to Ills own. Well, well, If Fnthor Neptune refuses to rid you of your encumbrance wo unist put our tniRt In tho pope. I trust, dt'ar mndnm," ho added, turn ing to his mother, "that Clara's suit to tho Holy Fathor has been moro favored liv fortune than our armies In Franco?" The hoy had a boy's lovo of tensing. Hut tho princess, seeing Clara's blank dismay, good-naturedly camo to tho rescue. "Hut you will not, mv dear son " sho said, "rolect noor Clara's suimll cstlon that you will soo hor cham pion?" Tho king turned to Clara. "It Is not for my own sake." sho faltered. "Hut ho has been slandered to your roval graco," "Did he not fico from his accusors?" asked the king. "Not," said tho prlncoss, "It ap peals, till long after you were told that ho had lied. And ho would not tako freedom when It- was offered to him, lest Hlght should look like guilt In your eyes." This was moro fully explained to the king. Hut still -he hesitated and looked uneasy. "What can tho trai tor say?" ho asked, petulantly, "Ho cau only deny what the others have said. However," ho added, aftor a pimso, during which Clara felt her heart beating with anxious excite ment, "1 supposo I must boo him." Haste was mado to bring Ralph Into his presence. At tho sight of htm tho hoy's prepossession In his favor ro vlved. Thero was llttlo chango In Ralph's appearance, excopt that he looked thinner and his faco had a moro steadfast expression. Ho bore himself with courteous humility In the royal presence, but his tall figure still had tho lltho, alert carriage of ready strength, and his eyes when ho spoke still had tho frankness and fearless ness which had won tho confidence of tho chivalrous boy-ktng at thoir first mooting. The king received him with graci ous dignity. "Ar. you not," ha said, I "afraid to show your face In our pre sence?" i "I havo no cause, sire," answered Ralph. "I labored honestly to acquit myseir or your majesty s gracious in structions." " "We havo heard otherwise," said tho king and was silent and thought ful for a space. "But It may bo," i ho resumed, "that tho movers of the common people aro slandered also. Did not tho churls say that our prof fer of Inquiry ino their grievances wob a.trltk7" "Nay, sire," answered Ralph. "On tho contrary, they wcro right joyful nt t nnd I wnn mvHolf rnttntl fnr In their assembly as ono who had had I tho honor of hearing your merciful I disposition from your own lips, to as .Biiro tho people that thoy might trust In your clemency." "This Is strangely unllko what wo heard," said the king, turning to his mother with a perplexed nlr. "Who am I to bellovo?" "You should nuestlon him further, dear son," said tho princess, mooting his looks of doubt nnd mlstruct with a benign smile. Richard shook his head and mutter ed Inaudlbly to himself. Aftor a pauso ho asked: "You say thoy woro content to havo an Inquiry?" "Thoy woro content, Biro," an swered Ralph; "but I pray your grnco to hold mo excused If I say that this would not content them, now. It Is of this principally that I am charged to speak to you. sire." "Charged to speak to mo," cried tho king In surprise. "Do you como. then, as a commissary from them?" Ho Fumed to tho princess oxcltoly. "My gracious mother," ho said, "1b not this a trick that you havo played on mo? I understood that It was of himself that this gentleman desired to speak, nnd now he addresses me as tho mes senger of discontented subjects whom Inquiry will not contont." Doforo tho prlncosB, who was Indeed as much surprised as the king him self, could frame a reply, Ralph throw himself on his knees. "I pray you, slro, to pardon mo If my devotion to your graco and my zeal for tho contontmont of tho realm carry mo too far. I do not como ns a commissary; I como of my own motlvo. This was strictly truo; for Simon d'Ypres had so managed that Ralph had volunteered to .speak to tho king. "I know theso men," Ralph con tinued; "I know what thoy fool and what thoy say nmong thomsolvcs; I know how loyal and truo In their hearts, thoy aro to you, and how thoy look to you ns thoy did boforo to your noblo fathor for comfort and re dress; and I bescoch you of your graco to hoar mo." Tho king was partly appeased, but still doubtful whether ho ought not to tcrmlnato tho Intorvlow. Ho looked doubtfully towards ho princess, and said to hor: "If this mattor concerns tho realm, I ought not to hear It ex copt In tho prosonco of my council." Dut It was evident from his .manner that curiosity was tomptlng him strongly. "You can Inform your council after wards," said the princess, softly. Sho also was interested In tho" ominous statement that moro Inquiry would no longer glvo satisfaction. "I ought, slro to say," addod Ralph, "that tho commons put llttlo trust In your prosent council." "Say on, then," said tho king, hasti ly. "Tell me plainly whnt thoy wnnt." Thus nuthorlzod, Ralph proceeded In cnrcfully respectful languago. and with ropoated protestations of tho firm loynlty of his cllonts. to Iny be fore tho king n statement of what they considered necessary to tho sat isfaction of discontent. It needed all tho graco and temper nnco of speech that Ralph could com mand to obtain n pationt hearing. For tho facts wore startling enough. Jt had como to this, that nothing short of tho almlitinn of vllloinngn and other forms of bondago would Mifilco. This was what Ralph had charged hiniFcIf to make known to tho king ns best ho could; and ns ho discoursed with respectful gravity ofitho high du ties of rulers pet by God over tho people to shield tho weak against the tyranny of tho strong, ho was warmed into un conscious oloquttnco by tho answering glow in the eyes of tho gonorous youth. Tho seed had not fallon on barren ground; if disinterested youth could have had its way, much bloodshed might havo been averted. (To bo continued.) SENATOR FRJE CAUGHT A DUCK. But the Distinguished Statesman Wat Fly Dining at tht Time. '' here was a session of tho Congres sional Fishing Club in tho coat rooms. "Did you over hear," said Senator Hlackburn, "of the time Senator Fryo caught the duck? It was this way: His specialty is lly fishing, and casting from a moving canoe, Well, ono day in tliu (all wo were fishing up abovo, anchored under tho loo of a projecting point of land. "'Just watch mo cast a minnow,' said tho senator, as ho tent the bait whizzing far out into tho river. Hard ly had tho minnow struck the water until tho lino paid out and tho reel began to slug. " 'It's a five pounder!' cried the boatman. 'Let him run, senator, let him runt' "Well thero wbb eomo excitement. Tho reel kept sliming tho sweetest mu sic in tho world to a fisherman. At length tho lino was ull run out, and much to tho senator's surprieo tho rod was pointed straight up in tho air, in stead of toward tho water, - "The old boatman nearly fell in a fit in the bottom of tho boat with laugh ter, (or there, up in tho sky, soared a wild duck, with tho senator's minnow. " 'Pull up,' said tho senator, in dis gust, 'and let's go buck to tho cJub house. I'll tlsh in the rain barrel off the porch with Undo Joo Cannon and Dave Henderson (or tho rest of this trip.' " 1 Uwvtrlui Countiei In Texas. Thero are 40 counties in Texas which have to seek legal advice outside thoir limits, as they havo not a single attor ney of their own. BUSINESS LOCALS. Always ask (or the famous General Arthur cigar. Esberg-Gunst Cigar Co., general agents, Portland, Or. Everybody smokes tho celebrated Monogram and Pandora cigars. They havo no equal. ' For first cIbbs dental work 'and. prompt attention, go to the New York Dental Parlors, Fourth and Morrison streets. Money to loan, on furniture, pianos, or any good securities. Notes 'and nioragages bought. S. V. King, room 4f WnsliititTtnii liiiilrlinrr .. o ' ......0. I Call at the Casto Saloon, corner of Jefferson nnd Chapman streets. Flno wines, liquors and cigars of tho best brands, and tho best brands of caso goods always on hand. Welnhard's bcor. J. V. Campbell, proprietor. Tho Graham Manufacturing com pany manufacture all kinds of fur nituro, woodwork and fixtures. Oro gon 'phono, Hood 202. Nos. 370, 372, 374 Front street, corner Montgomery, Portland. Oro. Fronch Dyeing and Cleaning Worka. All work dono at very modrcato prices. Dyeing and cleaning of all kinds of ladies' and gent's clothing. Morn ing cloth dyed in 48 hours. J. De leau, proprietor, 455 Glisan street. Tho proprietors of tho Oregon Dakory, cornor Fourteenth and Fland ers Sts., Portland, aro both old and ex perienced bakers, men whd woro foro men in tho best shops on tho coast, nnd who mako a superior loaf of bread of any kind. Pullman loaves a special ty. Wo wnnt your trndo. Musio half price; musical instruments of all kinds, cash or installments. II. II. Wright, wholcsalo nnd rctnil dcnlcr in musio and musical merchandise The Musio building, 310 Wasighnton street, Portland, Oregon. Pacific Regalia Company. Manufacturers of badges, buttons, banners, lodge regalia and supplies. Portland, Oregon. The Plonter Paint Co, Tho firm of F. E. Beach & Co., cornor of First and Alder streets, is ho oldest established concern in tho paint nnd oil business in tho Northwest. For over 20 years this houso has maintained its reputation for roliablo business dealings with all patrons. F. E. Reach & Co. car ry tho highest grades of paints, oils and varnishes. Thoy also hnndlo all builders' materials, and no order is too small to rccoivo prompt attention.- DON'T OUCSS AT IT. nut if you aro going East wrlto us for our rates And let us tell you about tho service and accomodations offered by tho Illinois Central Rnllroad. Through tourist cars via tho Illinois Contral from Pacific Coast to Chicago and Cincinnati. Don't fall to wrlto us about your trip, as wo aro In a po sition to glvo you some valuablo In formation and assistance C319 miles of track, over which Is operated somo of tho finest trains In tho world. For particulars regarding freight or passenger rates, call on or address: D. H. TRUMBULL. Commercial Agent. ' J. C. LINDSEY. T. F. & P. A., 1-12 Third street. Portland, Or. FREDERICKSBURG MUSIC HALL. SEVENTH AND ALDER STREETS Our Friends are All Cordially Invited To Attend. BROWN & GRANT. Too Limited," evening train, and The Express, noon train, from Oman (or Chicago. UNEXCELLED SERVICE Day train and evening train from Omaha for Minneapolis and St. Paul Tickets of agents of connecting lines. W. H. MULL, DUt Pass'r Agt, Omaha, 4VH,BlKSON,O.FJL. Chloo. J.r.MERRY.A.ajU. Dubuque. For particulars regarding freight or passenger rates, call on or address B. H. TRUMBULL, Commercial Agent. J. O, LINDSEY, T. F. & P. A., 142 Third St., Portland, Or. Eltibllahtd Jan. 1.1889. Inctrsorsttd Jut; 8, 1881. Portland Coffee and Spice Go.J DoYon For the Trade Only. Tea, Coffee, Spices, Baking Powder, Extracts, Etc. OUIt SPECIAL IlKANnSi SpleM. Acme, Mult nomah : Ilnklnc 1'tmilen. Pollaneo. Donblo Quick ; C'ofice, ltoyal Illcnil ; Sugar, xxzz liar. 24-28 Front Street, Bel, Aeh anat Ankeny. PORTLAND, OREGON. EDWARD H0LMAN UNDERTAKER Fourth and Yamhill Sts. BOTH PHONES NO. 507 REN STINS0N, Lady Assistant. . L. W.CA1WAIIAN. President. O. It. (lAKI).VKIt, Vlco I'rcildent. W. V, TEltllY, Treasurer. Portland Implement Co. JOHN DEERE PLOWS, HARROWS, ETC. FARM MACHINERY AND VEHICLES. 188-194 Front Street, Portland, Ore. PARK GROCERY. A.J. JO.NKS, Proprietor, ltctall Dealer In STAPLE JND FANCY GROCERIES And All Kinds of Imported Delicacies. 21 N. Tark Street, PORTLAND, OREGON Loewenberg & MANUFACTURERS 229 to 233 Taylor Stroot 198 to 194- Second Street LJ?J M. l l f M - DRUNK THE FAMOUS "WeixilxardL's Beer For Sale at All the Principal Saloons Brewery and OfHcm THE H. Ce ALBEE COMPANY ....DEALERS IN.... Second Hand! Machinery 260 Eamt Water Street. Zirnmerman - Wells Machinery Co. Incorporated. Marine, Mining, Saw Mill, Logging, Wood Working, Hoisting and Traat mlwJon Machinery. Engineers' and Loggers' Supplies. Agents A- Lwchea ic Sons Rope Co., Celebrated Hercules Wire Rope, R. N. Nansoa & Cos Lu bricating Oils and Compounds. ' 41-43 SECOND STREET. PORTLAND, OREGON A.y 8li Any lACKJNTOSHESt RUBBKR AND OIL CLOTHING Kubbar Boats Shoes, Halting, Packing- anal Hasa. Largest and Most Com plate assortment ot all Kinds ot Rubber Goods. GOODYEAR RUBBER COMPANY B, a. fxx U, rmldenl. F.si.IHEr'AUO. JR.. Treasurer J. A. SUKPAKD, aaentaif 73-75 FIRST STREET, PORTLAND, OREGON. Tho Cm ATKNS co' Atkins Saws srs Always Ahead. Know the News ? f You can have It all for rCr..... C 11 s-t rCrimi 50c Month Month In The Evening Telegram, of Portland, Oregon. It la tho Inrgi st evening news paper published In Ongjn; It contains all the news ot the statu and or the na tion. Try It lor a month. A eamplo copy will bo mailed to you tree. Ad' A dress THE TELEGRAM, $ Portland, Oregon. V. I.. McCabb, Seattle. E. H. Hamilton, Tacoma. M'CABE & HAMILTON .. STEVEDORES .. PUGET SOUND Also Honolulu, He - Hmma Of flams Tmoontm Wmmhe Cable Addreia: McCABE GRACIE, BEAZLEY & CO., Agents r H Water Street Liverpool. S. W. ROBINSON. COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER , 8C4 Morrison Street. Developing, Printing and Mounting ior Amateurs A Specialty. Largest Selection of Pacific Coast Views. BROMIDE ENLARGEMENTS. Phones: Oregon Main 770., Columbia 420. The La GRANDE CREAMERY COMPANY BUTTER, EGGS AND OHEESE. All gooda wnolcaale and retail. 24YmhIlI St., nr. Third, Portland, Or Going Company OF AND DEALERS IN Stove Ranges, Hollowware and Household... Specialties... Handled by All Firct Class Dealers... Royal Steel Ranges Are the Best and Cheapest in the Market, PORTLAND, OREGON " vMEU3(5f& JtfrMtfa PORTLAND, OREGON. Q.mntlty Aajr Style Paelfte Oomut mrmmmm, Nm. CO Wtrmt Street, Pmrummm Orme I f 1 ; 1 1 -j