THE ROGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1932, Page 17 (Supplement)

THE ROGUE.

Everyone knows how Robin Hood of Green Sherwood vowed to rob the rich to pay the poor, but this story of how the bold outlaw punished the landlord Who stole the little tailor’s cloth of gold has never before been written. The little tailor’s shop was in a mean, narrow street in old Nottingham town, but because his cloth was good and his ways honest many a noble squire and his dame camo to purchase his goods, and he was as happy as the little tailor in the fairy tale. He had a buxom wife and a large family of growing sons and daughters, and he owned, a table and eight stools, six brass cooking-pots and a fryingpan, as well as several feather beds and an oaken coffer, of which he was very proud. He had an apprentice, too, who stood Outside the shop, crying, "What lack ye, my masters? Here’s fine cloth for ifihu'U or smocks,” most of the day, and nt night slept under the counter and counted himself extremely lucky that ho was well-fed and not ill-used.

Then suddenly evil days came upon the tailor.

Sickness crept through the narrow street and carried oft' three of his children, 'and he and his wife and the ..other children were stricken as well. While, he lay flick customers, fearing contagion, avoided the little shop, although his good wife, with a foresight unusual in the Middle Ages, had- cleaned and .scoured all danger away from the place. Then came the day when his rent was due, and when his landlord’s steward came round there was no money to pay him. "Give me time tp collect the amount,’pleaded the tailor. But the steward returned to his master dnd said: "That man is ruined, and it is doubtful if his customers will ever return. Is it your gracious wish that he shall be turned into the street?” Then the landlord, who was rich yet greedy for more, said: "Nay, I will make him pay, for- he hoards gold, though he may not have any gold, pieces." And he at once visited the tailor and began to abuse him: ".Dishonest dog 1 'Why do you refuse to pay me my dues when you have on yonder shelf a. bale of fine cloth of gold?” The little tailor went pale. It was true he had the cloth, the Only valuable stock he had left, and he hoped every moment that one of his rich customers, would return and buy it, and then he, could pay his rent and. have money over to start building up his business again. "But, my master, this cloth of gold, is worth more than the sum I owe you, and if I let, it go, alack! I cannot carry on my trade, and then what will become of me?”

“Marry! Think you I am a fool, you rogue? Bring out the cloth, or to-night, by 5 my faith, you and your dishonest family will find yotirselves in the street.”

The pleadings and prayers of the tailor and. his wife were in. vain. The landlord carried off the whole bale of cloth in lieu of rent and left the little tailor destitute.' But it was unfortunate for this rogue of g, landlord that he then went to the market-place and boasted to a friend about his bargain, and gave him the

“Grasshopper,” Midhirst: Thank you for the funny drawings you drew in the margin of your letter; “the pigs chasing each other” is the funniest, we think. You will have to think hard to name nine little pigs, and I fancy you had better call'them a.ll by numbers.

“Blue Eyes,” Kaimiro: We hope some one will send you the answer to your letter. Eileen,- as no doubt you do not see the paper while you are away. I know‘some people who would think you very lucky to be in a. city and would willingly change places with you. Most of the frost is melted when the Hut folk' get up in the mornings, but he leaves a very cold atmosphere behind him.

“Sweet Briar,” Eltham: Do you not think you could write a very interesting letter for our page by telling us about the things your English correspondent, wrote about? Try what you can do. The twins have made themselves cowboy trousers of sugaf-bags, and very smart, they look with fringed sides. Now they will go and ride old Bimbo round.and round the paddocks and enjoy themselves thoroughly. Eileen Bryant, Tangaraktiu: What a day of hockey you had last week! I think it is a very exciting game and one to keep you warm these “nippy” days. Hut gardener has. been making a rose-bed tjiis week, turning over the soil and manuring it; then he will plant the. trees,- and. we should have some lovely roses in the summer.

news that it was his intention the following morning to ride tn the house of a noble lady in the hope that she would give a fine price for the cloth of gold.

One of Robin Hood’s merry men was in. the market-place, too, buying onions for the eavoury broth that was to be the forest feast that night, and he overheard the whole talc, and hastened back to 'Sherwood and repeated it to Robin, knowing that he would champion the tailor's cause.

“So the : rogue bath made a- good bargain, hath he?” said the gentle outlaw, with s. smile. “Then he shall now be taught a useful lesson and learn how they sell cloth to rogues at Robin Hood’s Fair.”

The next morning the dishonest landlord came riding • through Sherwood right, early, with the bale of gold cloth rolled in an old travelling cloak before him. He rode quickly, for he feared the outlaws: but he had not travelled a league before he was surrounded by Robin Hood and his merry men.

"Good-morrow, traveller,” they shouted in chorus.

"Good-morrow; friends. Let me pass, I pray you, good sirs, for I am in haste to visit my «ick child and dare not tarry.”

"Ah, sickness is a, sad thing, and one must be merciful to those who suffer. We will give you a handful of herbs, traveller, to heal the sick one in exchange for that cloth of gold you carry.

It was in vain that the rogue shrieked and protested that he would not exchange good and costly cloth for a handful of forest herbs. The_ outlaws relieved him of his burden forcibly, and then gravely presented him with a bunch of herbs plucked from the wayside. * ' . ,

‘'And if you would ,buy this cloth again, my friend, and wish not that this story bo told to all the good folk of Nottingham town, you may in five days’ time visit Robin Hood’s Eair, which will be held at noon under the Eive Oaks.”

There was not,a man for miles round who did not know of Robins famous fair, and the forest presented an extraordinary appearance on the day it was held. Stout yeomen afoot or astride donkeys, rich men, poor men, and beggars, all travelling to buy a “Robin Hood pennyworth,” for it was on this occasion that the outlaw sold all the many and various things that he had taken from their unworthy owners. Good hats, boots and shoes, waistcoats, trinkets, and gold chains were spread beneath the greenwood tree for the poor to buy for a penny'; but the rich often came to buy, too, in the hope of recovering some cherished treasure which Robin had taken from them. With rage in his heart, the dishonest landlord decided to visit Robin Hood’s fair. The cloth of gold was valuable, and’ he hoped that by disguising himself as a poor merchant he would.be able to deceive the outlaw, and once more buy it at a bargain price. He was fat, but he made himself fatter with much stuffing, and he stained his red beard black and walked with a limp—Robin Hood pitied the disabled —and then he arrived among the merry throng at Robin’s fair with- an air of gentle innocence. "Ha!” said Robin to himself, “here is our friend the rogue!” (For he had sharp eyes and never forgot a face. "My friend,” said the rogue, "have you any good cloth to sell to a poor travelling merchant?” "Truly,” said Robin. “Much, bring forth the cloth of gold for this worthy merchant.” ..

“How much, my friend, are you asking for it?” ' Robin named a price that made toe rogue turn pale. "Never! It is a thievish price!” he protested. “Believe me, friend, it once fetched a higher price.- But-, marry, I aim forgetful! How is thy aick child? Did the herbs truly heal?” The game was up. Almost foaming at the mouth with rage, the rogue was compelled to pay an enormous price for the cloth, which Robin Hood measured off with bis longbow, and then he was allowed to depart, wondering if honesty were not the best policy after all. As for the tailor, that night lie received a. mysterious visit from a man in green, who brought him a bag of gold, which, he explained, was the price paid for some of the tailor’s goods that he had been fortunate enough to dispose of at a quite extraordinary figure.