OUR A I V. HARPEB, Editor k Proprietor. i TER3!S-$i.50 Ter Year. VOL.1. KINSTON, N. C, FBIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1878. NO. 2. I If E . V T .. . ; The Golden Side. There la many a re tn tb road of life, If we would only stop to take it ; And many a tone from the better land If the querulou heart would make It : To the .unny oul that it full of hope, r And who-e Wutif ul trust ne'er fallen, The rx U m n and the flowers are bright Though the winter storm prevaileth. IJi-tter to hoi though the clouds hang low, And to k ! th ' "till lift -d i For the.weel Mu--ky will Hill l- cp through Wlwiilhe r.minons clouds are rifted! There vra nr a nijfht without a day. Or an ninjf without a morninff; And th dark, i-t honr, a the proverb goes, Is the hour 'U-for- the dawning. There Is many a &m In th- path of life, r Which we-pa" in our idle pleasure, That in rjrher far than the jewelled crown. Or the niM.r; hmnlwl tr. a-ure It may b-th.-l(vof a litth-ehihl, Or a inoilK r pry n? to hav. n. Or piily a W t'ar rrt-ful thanks For a cup of wat rriv n. letter to weave in the wt-h of life A briht and troid n filling. . , And to do C will with a r-ady heart, . And hand lhat are r. ady and willing, Than to M.ap the d. Ik ate, minute threads Of our cuj-'ioH lives asunder, And then bhwne II, aven for the tangled ends, And fit and grieve and wonder. Tom, or tbve given one pertaining you Have yourself volunteered, how to his craft of Webster. True, neith- much can I rely upon if I liberate er the plebeian patronymic nor yet the you ? craft appellative was particularly "Most puissant knight," . replied the pleasing to the soaring views of our I luckless prisoner, "I acted wrongly in aspiring candidate for knighthood I promising more than I had any possi spurs; still he might not ' hesitate be- bility to perform, being, in good sooth neath the royal standard ana in me i not master ot halt the sum agreed .Selected. presence of the victorious sovereign ; moreover, so familiar was his long time cognomen of Webster, that be fore he had any chance for delibera tion, he had given it unawares in his . " Then, by my knighthood, sir count, you have put a vexatious cheat upon me!" said our hero. "Had you fallen into the hands of a les3 I mag- TIIE COUNT'S -RANSOM; A IIISTOKY OF AV ANCIENT KNIGHT. TUr i,orrw-iif tnv Ktorv. Norman Web fctur, so called from'hU craft of weaver (or Webster as it was then designated) was one of thoo fortunate -military ad venturers, such as 'wo sometimes read of, who by the swurj succeed in cleav ing a parage from the lowliest station reply, and now he hears himself pro- nanimou3 knight than myself, you claimed ,ohe otf he fraternity of knight- would so6n be tanght that it was but hood, as "Rise up, Sir Norman Web- a sorry jest to render yourself jup a ster, and be thou a valiant knight and prisoner upon condition of paying a stipulated sum as a ransom; nor must vou think that I will be defrauded out of what you can pay me ; there fore, to come at once to the point, how much can I rely uppn, prithee ?" "Alasnoble sir, not above a tenth of what in my fright I promised, I fear me," replied the count; "still, I will disburse to tne extent ot my means." j "Then, prithee, set about discharg true !" crave a name and rank to the weaver's apprentice, since rendered even more illustrious by those who cared not, perhaps knew not, that it was given to their ancestor on the field at Agincourt From the first, our valorous knight was in two-fold sense a soldier of fortune,- caring not only for fame, but keeping at the same time a sharp lookout for the main chance whenever sir connt i x must hrst see this daugh- er than she really is. Yet I am told 'What does she say ?' acain impa ter of yours, and if she is as fair and that the damsels themselves have de- tiently demanded the knight, drawing well-trained with her needle as you ceived many good and valiant men on nearer and twitchinc at tho count's say, and can make pasties and confec- this point doublet 'Will she consent do to tions, I will accept her instead of the Meditating thus on the certainty think?" ransom lor your paltry life. But that the French count was seducinc 'All in cood time, most .honored suppose she does not like me, have him into a matrimonial trap, our chevalier all in pood time ' -' Raid trm you any money in your beggarly cof- dougety knight had wrought himself count; I am pleading your cacw fers ?' . into a sullen, nnsncifll mrwwl nm timA rivitfi Alack! not a sou, most valiant before they reached the convent 'What does he ask. nana?' i no ui red knight; but the Lady Celine Vidal Count Vidal, meantime thinking that Celine. . knows her place too well, as the the silence of his son-in-law elect Only that you would consent to b daughter of a noble French family, to arose from the pleasing anticipation of come his wife to effect ray release ici taiuci a mksucs iu uiuiier uieeuug ma qesuneu Dnae, reaouDiea , lhe color, faint at first, rose to her of so little import to herself. There- his complaisance, which however, had cheek, deepening over neck and brow, fore, as I am in somewhat of a hurry only the effect of reduplicating the as bending her beautiful head with co- to get me back to ray estates, I will suspicions of his boorish companion, quettish modesty behind her aunt'i get a friar to draw out a parchment Hoping to propitiate his discourteous chair, she raised her little soft white contracting her to you, as well as an captor, thinking him impatient to meet hand to drawdown her noviciate vn his intended, he said to him as they through tho transparent fabric of alighted at the lodge: .. whose meshes she considered tho staU I trust your happiness will be com- wart proportions of the knight befort plete, since you will soon see the Lady her. Very soon her decision was Celine - made. I 'Now just please to spare me any 'Papa, I would rather be the En- any thing in the way of plunder turned ing that same at once, that I may be up. Nothing came amiss in the way rid'of the cost and charge of your of booty, from smashed harness to wo- maintenance." i men's . kirtles. His great personal "Right willingly will Tdo so , sir strength and invincible courage cavalier, if you will liberate me upon gained him distinction.while his as in- my parole, seeing that here I can domitable resolve in all casesofemer- raise nothing, and thatyou have so gency to' look out 'for Number One, adroitly rummaged within the folds of brought him richest Taking nothing rav doublet ( expertly emptying the inlifo'to wealth .and distinction. Abandoning hi loom, casting warp and shuttle aside at an early age, he enrolled his' humble namcr among the gallant muster then enUstingu nder the youthful Henry V,'of England, fol lowing his bright-starred sovereign to the battle-fields of France. 1 . - Norman's father, Tom Webster, had acquired some skill in his craft of armorer, and shrewdly judging that the commencement of a war boded well for nrtizans of his calling, natur ally enough represented to our hero that ho had better remain at home, and assist him in hammering out suits of mall, instead of setting out with the silly intent to better them in the for-! cign wars just at the opening of the prospective remunerative harvest at home. But all in vain were honest Tom's representations. Norman "had heard of battles," and he longed to distin guish himself in the field; so.he inflex ibly clung to iis resolve. . Having once made up his mind that smashing French harness would produce a rich cr reward in shorter time than either thrbwiug the shuttle, under his old master, or menamg nattcrou armor, under his father, ho one night helped himself to the best blade iu old Tom's stall, and with this first achievement in tho way of booty, joined the royal forces at Southampton. Once wafted by fair breezes jto the sunny shores.of Normandy, our hero's invincible courage and great powers of endurance, added to that daring spirit of adventure that rendered him (reckless of danger, soon gained him the notice of the vouncr and chival ' , . . - - c- . . rous Henry V. .He rapidly advanced, from one promotion to another; until at the battle of Agincourt, where he towered like tho very embodied de mon of the fight, breaking with his re sistless might through the before in vincible ranks of the war-inured Al encon,,he was not only honored with the command of a battalion, but his deeds of high enterprise Were re warded with knighthood. : ; When Norman approached his sov ereign to receive the ennobling stroke, and the question usual in such cases was put relative to his name, it not a little puzzled our worthy craftsman, who had received ho other conomeu nt n,n l.,f; uujiujiuai luiii uiuu -iorman . eon of 10m. Now, however, as it was obvious that a knight should be sun- posed of a family of mark sufficient to indulS6 in the luxurv. of a surname,- uur uu venturous knight of the shuttle ' hesitated for a moment whether to pitch his choice upon a derivative v; irom 111s lather's came of own uglv to the wars save ; these qualifications, backed by the sword abstracted from lis father's" stall, he retured laden with the spoils'of sacked convents and Norman castles ; yet were all these out shone by, a trophy prouder far than w 1 ri 1 anv uenvect Irom nllea abhevs or- slaughtered leaders, when he presen ted at Whitehalla young, beautiful and high-born bride the daughter of a noble Norman knight whom he had rescued, "for a consideration, Irani the field where chieftain and; follower lav mangled together. But riot to our knight's generosity was Count Vidal indebted for his life when that worthy stood with uplifted sword considering the value of the noble's j suit of mail as he lay bleeding there. Since we are telling a veritable tale, we7 -'must needs confess the truth. The count offered his vanquisher a sum quite sufficient as a ransom to conpensate for permitting him to retain his mail corslet and diamond-hilted rapier for the nonce. Leading his prisoner to his tent, our hero had the count's looking -gashes dressed, and treated him with every becoming and humane attention, until he thought him sufE ciently' recovered to bo able to discuss the matter of the ransom. With tjiis intent he began to examine the count's suit of armor and other accoutrements when he perceived to his dismay that what he at first thought to be of great value was but gilt, mere gloss and tin sel. Discovering this by scraping the gilding with his dagger from the baser metal of the bassinet, our valorous knight threw it contemptuously from him while giving vent to his impreca tions on the pauperism of French peers, who by resortiug to such devi ces, succeeded in arresting the uplifted swords of England's chivalry when ready to descend on their worthless heads; and going straitway to the sleeping count, he shook him in no I very amiable mood, demanding if he were ready to disburse the sum prom ised, as he would thereupon liberate him. v Housed from his sleep, the old no ble, with genuiue Norman suavity, re plied that, anxious jto preserve his life, lie had spoken without jgivi'ug due consideration to thefaet of his present inability to raise so large a sum as thai specifietl, when, as now, ill and Dockets 'therein"), thai I have not . a 1 ' . sou left. If you will accept my pa role of honor; I will return to my es- tates, and there use my utmost en deavors to raise the sum agreed upon." "Now, by St. George, monsieur! if you think to escape me scot free, after bribing me to save ypur paltry life at St. Crispin's massacre, you are mista ken. What sort of security, sir count, do you propose to leave that you will perform your engagement?" .'Alack! almost puissant knight, I have nothing to leave you as a pledge, unless you would accept of a fair daughter, now in the convent of St. Opportune, hard by, replied the luckless count. "And how know I that she is.fair?' returned the knight. "Perhaps she is like that old tabard of yours, only parcel guilt. Harkee, sir count, can slie sew well with her needle ? Can she distill herbs for wounds, and brew, and make pastries?" iiT.I i 1 "i Know no one wno can hake or brew better," replied the count. "Humph! can she darn well with her ueedle, for that is chiefly what I want?" asked the discourteous English knight "Heaven defend me from boasting, sir knight, but to say that Celine can darn your hose, bake and brew, would be to fall far short of her accomplish- raents, seeing she can ao ail manner of curious stitches, to blazon banners and broider coats." "Broideries I care little for," said the knight, 'but if she can mend my doublet, I will consider upon the mat ter. seeing that though a belted knight'I have to darn uiy own hose and repair my doublet' Valorous knight, Cfelihe will not on ly keep both in good repair, but she can card and spin both wool and flax as well as the noblest dame in Nor mandy, having been perfected in all useful accomplishments by her aunt, the abbess of the convent of St Op portune.' Our English knight, upon hearing this lucky piece of intelligence, rubbed his hands in very delight as he re order upon her aunt, the abbess, to deliver her up to you as soon as you will that the espousals may take place.' . 'Not so fast, sir count!' said the knight 'By the mass!' but having! been cheated once by you already, more of vour variev-vooina Raid the rh tn;Kt'a seemeth to me enough. Not quite so knight; 'but hasten in and summon here shut up in the nunnery ' said Ca- fast, I pray! I must see the damsel the girl, that I may see if she be as line. . with my own eyes first, lest, like the great a cheat as your old tabard and 'What does the damsel say? again tinsel on your trumpery French gear bassinet' V interrupted the impatient knight yonder; she turn out but another cheat On hearing this, Count Vidal, who She consents to be your wife,' ro- you would parley voo upon me'. How did not understand one word in a sen- plied the count; 'so you can marry her do I know that she is but seventeen ? tence of wnat was spoken by his eon-in whenever it so pleases you.' Now, Mousier, though I would by no law elect, laid his hand on his breast, Then, sir count, it pleases me that means be understood to speak in any and, bowing mo3t profonndly, led the the rite, be performed immediately wise disrespectfully of any of the ven- way. to tho convent parlor. Arrived said the impatient knight" erable patriarchs, still if that old there, and seeing the stately superior , 'Honored chevalier replied tho cneai juuuau uivu inuu 10 impose ijeau rise whii uecorous uruanity to greet count, 'a demoiselle of Lady Cclino upon me instead of Rachel, 4! would her brother-in-law, and mistaking her Vidal's rank cauuot wed, as might at mve made small matter of flinging for the countV daughter, from her peasant's daughter, without fitting lim into Jacob's well.' anxious inquiries respecting his health preparation of wedding garments. Let In vain the count essayed to put.in our malcontent hero broke out with her, therefore, tarry here ti!i such be a word occasionally, little suspecting irrepressible indignation: prepared.' that the more he vaunted theraiable 'And do you think to impose that 'Wedding gear, forsooth!' cried our as well as industrial qualities of his pale, withered old fright on me for a hero. 'Have not I enow of such daughter, the more were both suspect- damsel of seventeen ? By the rood! trumpery? Chests full of kirtles and ed by. the doughty knight, who, when- were she the Duchess vof Anjon, I farthingales, rich and rare enough to ever he essayed to slip in a commend- would take her for no wife of mine !" deck a duchessmy share of the spoiU ation even edgeways, interrupted him During the delivery of this ungal- of rifled Norman castles! 'f pat them with, 'harkee, sir count, you have put lant speech, the stately superior,whose by to save me outlay in case I should cheats enow already upon me, I trow; pale brow and tranquil features were meet a damsel to my liking; and now nor will alJ your talking move me to exposed from the black vail flung they will save all delay, seeing they contract a marriage of your arrange- back, looked inquiringly at the count are of all sorts and sizes.' ment, until satisfied that the damsel is for an explanation, whose attention at When her father explained this to as comely and well-instructed as you this moment was arrested by theclear, the Lady Celine, truth compels us to have represented. He who cheats me silvery tones of his daughter, who say that she made not the slightest once, shame for him; but he who bounding into the room, threw her objection; nor when on his return to cheats me twice, the shame for me.' white arms around his neck, exclaim- England, Sir Norman Webster pre Itight valiant, sir, why defer going ing: sented her at court, then held in to St. Opportune's at once?' said the 'Dear papa, I see you at last! I fear- Whitehall, did the fair and noble count. 'Let us go togethsr, when you ed the English barbarians had killed brido feel in the slightest degreb scan can see the Lady Celine and judge for you l dalized at the mauner in . which her yourself." 'My daughter, let me present to you costly apparel, worn on the occasion. Then 0 we will,' said the knight; my noble preserver,' said the count, was obtained. for even should I not fancy her, which 'Condescend, most illustrious knight The weaver's apprentice might have is very likely, still as it is probable to see the damsel of whom I spake sought in vain, despite his great wealth your estates have enow of mortgages the Lady Celine Vidal.' and high military achievements, am already, I may as well take her as Never did groom elect comply with ong the high-born beauties of England wait for any chance of being paid such a request more boorishly than for an alliance. But wedded to a no otherwise. So, as it please your did our worthy knight; and never did bio Norman bride, her high descent, countship, we will ride to the convent valiant knight gaze upon a sweeter vi- backed by his acquired riches and at once.' sion of loyliness than met his gaze in splendid military repute, gave such a The day was fine, and St Oppor- the young Lady Celine. : Shades of position to their descendants that the tune's but a few hours " ride. Thither the bright the - beautiful she was afterward intermarried with the no they jogged right amicably, with this fairer than ye alll blest families of the land And to difference Count Vidal was anxious Struck with a lovlincss and grace this day few, very few, of their widely to effect his liberty by the transfer of such as he had never even imagined, spread descendants know that - their his daughter to the rude English our uncouth knight no sooner saw the ancient name and crest was won by a knight, who, on the other hand, with sweet face turned inquiringly toward weaver's apprenticeor that they owed the suspicion pertaining to low origin him, thon trying to imitate the count's their origin to tho manner in which and uncultured mind, began to have genuflexions, he laid his huge hand Count Vidal paid his ransom. ' sundry misgivings before they reached upon his breast and made a profound the convent lest another cheat obeisance. was about being played upon him by 'Celine, my child, would you like to the count, and he grew morose and be married? asked the count , silent, while moodily cogitating thus: 'I am very hapyy here, dear papa 'Suppose after all, this damsel be hiit replied Celine. a trumpery bit of gloss and tinsel, like 'Ask her if she could fancy me for! Taught, shuffling awkwardly ntir the dle- uS1ie3t IltrD in lbo more. absent from his French estates. Our knight hereupon mused gravely upon i this distastful.bit of information, and showing the bassinet from which his laudable questhe had Ecraped the gilding, he said: "Hark ye, sir count, in yonder frippery of copper tinsel I have suflicient demonstration on that point ! but since you cannot pay what 'By the mass, sir, count, but your daughter seemeth a clever one ! Prithee, how old is she?' 'Not yet seventeen, most worshipful sir ; lively as a kitten, fair and grace ful as a lily; and sooth , to say, it much grieveth me to devote her to 'a convent 'And why should so thrifty a dam sel be cooped up in a convent when a belted knight like myself has to darn his own hose and patch his own doublet, for the !ad of some one to mend them for him ? Now harkee, Sue Bought It. -Aunt Auarky wanted a dress. . Pattern after pattern, and bolt after bolt were hauled down, but not one to suit her taste. As last tho clerk ; desperately re- her fathers "gilt tabard?. Well, how L husband?' said the straight forward I to sell her the -next piece, or. am I to know ? He says she is fair as the rose of Provence. How am I to kuow that? seeing I am told damsels use oftimes a distillation of waters from'flowers that cunningly give them a fresh complexion. Then her age No man should have a wite beyond twenty. , N6r should I like .'to be cheated on that point Yet many an honorable man, I am told, has been. I must say that IVonsider this same French count as rather a slippery cus tomerand seeing I am no competent judge of a woman's age, so long as she be smiling and comely, bow cculd I tell whether she be twenty or forty ? It would shame me much to have a wife pal incd upon mc as being young- count ' All in good time, most honored chevalier," retured the crount I would first that you learned from her own lips of her rare excellence with the needle, as well as in pasty and confections." Sir count, I prithee vex me not with such trifles said the knight; 'but Aunt Anarky eyed It She lifted her broad brotrn nose disdainfully in the air 'WhewJ Dat is uglier .'n pison ! My gal Blaxy Ann she taont fur a putty dress. You reckio the'd dispensiate to chuch in sich tarrified . look in' stuff es datf. Your daughter? Is it possible you it '.l 1 - ' iiti - just ask the damsel if she is willing uave firown aaugnicn u ny, i am tobemywife. not think you were moro than sixteen Celine said her father 'this val- youwcin' iant knight saved my life at Agin- S1,e niilingly displayed reveral court-bow would you feel disposed gaming wniic ivory ana to accept him br a husband?' bought lhe dress. - . A barbarian Englishman? ex- Grant's nomination in USO claimed Celiac! sterns to be a foregone cvnclusiou.