Page 358 - Child's own book

word and good wishes of almost oil the poor in those parts. He
rover robbed anybody but people who were very rich, and who
had not the spirit to make good use of their riches. A$ he had
lest his estate by the cunning of a popish priest, he had a great
dislike, to the whole set j and the popish priests at that time
behaved in sueh a manner that hnrdly anybody liked them ; so
that Robin was not thought the worse of for his usage of them.
When lie met with poor men in his rambles, instead of taking
anything from them, he gave them money of his own : he never
let any woman be cither robbed or hurt; and in east's of hardship
lit; always took the part of the weak and the injured against the
strong; so that it was truly said, “ that of all thieves he was
the gentlest and most generous thief."
Robin Hood was fond of doing odd and strange tilings, and he
loved a joke fiuile as well as he loved a good liooty. One day,
as he was strolling in the forest by himself, he saw a jolly butcher
riding upon a fine mare, with panniers on each side, filled with
meat. 'Hiood morrow,good fellow," wild Robin, “ whither arc
you going so early \ ’’ The man replied, “ 1 am a butcher, and
am going to Nottingham market to sell my meat.''—44 1 never
learned any trade,” said Robin, “ 1 think I should like to be a
butcher. What shall I give you for your mare and your panniers,
and all that is in them ?"— “ They are not dear at four marks,'1
said the butcher, “ and I will not sell them for lets.” Robin
made no more words, but counted out (he money, and then made
the butcher give him his blue linen coat and his apron, m
exchange for Robin Hood's fine uni form of scarlet. When Robin
Hood had dressed himself in this manner, he rode straight to
Nottingham. l"he Sheriff of Nottingham was master of the
market, and Robin flood hired a stall there. But we may very
well suppose that he did not know much about his trade, and
indeed as lung as lie had any meat to sell nc o th e r butcher could sell