THE RED SLEEVE.
The Chronicle of Gondorf tells us, that in the olden times the judges of Gondorf used to wear red robes when pronouncing sentence of death on criminals; and the citizens regarded these robes with great veneration, considering them to be part and parcel of their own dignity.
So exemplary were the inhabitants in their behaviour, that many years passed without the robes being wanted; but at length a criminal was brought before the Court, and found guilty.
The attendants searched and the judges searched, but no red robes could be found: time and moths had consumed them, all but one sleeve. The situation was difficult, for the people would not believe that justice was done unless they saw the red robes.
A happy thought lit up the face of one Judge, and this was his plan: each Judge in his turn was to put on the one sleeve, and presenting himself at the window there deliver his judgment, hiding thus the unrobed part of his person. The idea was deemed a hit, and put into practice accordingly,—the populace being led to believe that the Judges gave their opinions thus separately, in order that the opinion of one should not bias the minds of the others. It is added, that the people were very much pleased at the whole proceeding; but the narrator does not say what the criminal thought of it, or whether his counsel raised any objection to the irregularity, if not illegality, of a sentence so pronounced.
The lower castle of Gondorf is used as a barn, and looks very dilapidated.
Getting near Cobern, an opening in the trees shows us the castles that crown the hill over the town. A chapel is in the foreground, and here once lived