ROBIN HOOD OF GREEN SHERWOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 16, 9 April 1927, Page 23

ROBIN HOOD OF GREEN SHERWOOD

knows how Robin Hood Nreen Sherwood vowed to rob the of u tn oav the poor, but this story of ricb the 'bold outluw punished the ho * rd w ho stole the little tailor's gold has never before been tailor's shop was in a Th narrow street in Old Nottinglusan'town, but because his cloth was "‘“l and his ways honest many a s °S?e souire and his dame came to noble 1 goods, and he was as happy ** the liule tailor in the fairy Y, a< i a buxom wife and a large H fiv of growing sons and daughters he owned a table and eight an 1 Qix brass cooking-pots and a stools. s well as several feather 'S" S a'n P d an oaken coffer, of which he D very proud. W Then suddenly evil days came upon *•. *£!£L crept through the narrow Sic . kne a nd carried off three of his str TlLn and he and his wife and the 'thlr children were stricken as well, wine he lay sick customers, fearing 'T 4ion avoided the little shop. Co £hS ome the day when his rent due, and when his landlord's steward came round there was no n '"GWe t 0 mt:' time to collect the ttl ßut nt 'the Pl steward* 6 returned to his m *That‘ in man‘ a is ruined, and it is Snnbtful IE his customers will ever M.m IS it your gracious wish that he shall be turned into the street V” •'lay” said the landlord, I will make him pay, for he hoards gold, though he may not have any gold Pl And he at once visited the tailor ■ind began to abuse him: Dishonest dog! Why do you refuse , , nav me my dues when you have , „ yonder shelf a bale of fine cloth ol *°The little tailor went pale. It was true he had the cloth. the only valuable stock he had left, and he , ned every moment that one of his rich customers would return and buy it and then he could pay his rent :1 d have money over to start building up his business again. "But my master, this cloth of gold i, 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?” - .. The pleadings and prayers of the tailor and his wife were in vain. The landlord carried off the whole bale of doth in lieu of rent and left the little tailor destitute. But it was unfortunate for this ruble of a landlord that he went to tne market-place and boasted to a friend about his bargain, and gave him tne news that it was his inten[jun the following morning to ride to the house of a noble lady in the hope that she would give a line price tor the cloth of gold. One of .Robin Hood’s merry men was in the market-place, too, buying onions for the savoury broth that was to be the forest feast that night, and he overheard the whole tale, and hastened back to Sherwood and repeated it to Robin, knowing that he would champion the tailor’s cause “So the rogue hath made a nood bargain, hath he?” said the gentle out-

law, with a 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 sick 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. There was not a man for miles round who did not know of Robin’s 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 varied things that

lie 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 Pair. 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. “Mutch, bring forth the cloth of gold for this worthy merchant.” “How much, my fx*iend, are you asking for it?” Robin named a price that made the rogue turn pale. “Never! It is a thievish price!” he protested. “Believe me, friend, it once fetched a higher price. But I am forgetful! How is thy sick child? Hid 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 6ff with his longbow, and then he was allowed to depart, wondering if honesty were not the best policy after all. * As for the tailor, that night he 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 iiuite extraordinary advantage.