Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1883 — The Death of Robin Hood. [ARTICLE]

The Death of Robin Hood.

All accounts affirm that Robin Hood lived to a very old age, and at last died by treachery. He had a cousin, who was the pioress of a nunnery called Kirklees, and when he was aged and infirm; and suffering from an attack of disease; he went to hfer to be bled-. . Robiii Was very sick when ne reached th© gato of the ndnnery, where he was met by his cousin. Little thinking of treachery, he suffered her to conduct him to a room and open a vein in his arm. There he was left bleeding. The door of the room wa; locked, and the window was too high above ground to admit of jumping out. He remained in this state until the next day at noon, when he thought to blow a blast on his horn. It was a quavering and feeble sound. Little John was lingering about, waiting to see his beloved master. When lie heard the mornfttl blast he sprang Up and hurried to the hiinnery. He broke loch© and dashed open doors until he reached the room where Hobin lay dying. He fell on his knees and begged to be allowed to burn Kirklees Hall and all the nun-aery; but Robin said: “No, I never hurt a woman in my life, nor a man in company with a woman, and I will not allow such a thing to be done now. But string my bow for me, and give me it and a broad arrow, which I will shoot from the window, and where that arrow falls there let my grave be dug. Lay a green sod under my head and another at my feet; and lay my bent bow by my side, for it has always made sweet music for me." This request was complied with by Little John. The arrow that Robin shot fell under a tree, and there the bold chief was buried. His death was probably near the year 1300. Some worthy historianshave doubted whether such a man as Robin Hood ever lived, and have classed the stories of his exploits among the myths of the Sast. It is hardly probable, however, int this is the correct theory. The safer and more reasonable conclusion would seem to be that Robin Hood really reigned in the forests as represented, but that many of the stories about him have been exaggerated by the ballad singers and early writers in England.— Maurice Thompson, in St Nicholas.