Silas Reflects

Silas Scrum sat on the side of the road and wondered.

“Everyone hates me for my work, and they talk behind my back,” muttered the keeper of things.

Times were rough with harvests failing. The Lord Chamberlain was taxing even the poorest of the poor.

“I do an honest day’s work, and I never cheat anyone by over-taxing them,” said Silas.

The sheriff had come to his home several times. He insisted the keeper alter his books to force families to pay him more.

“I will discuss it with the Lord Chamberlain in the morning,” said Silas. The sheriff stomped away and did not return the following day.

“You are as bad as a vulture waiting for the beast to die,” cried the Widow Thomson. The sheriff had suggested that she pay more taxes.

Silas had sharp eyes, and he began to see things that were not quite right. “Farmer Brown should not need to hand over his cow to the sheriff. His account is up to par,” said the keeper one day.

It soon became clear that the sheriff was engaging in double dipping. “I must send the Lord Chamberlain a note so I don’t arouse suspicions with the sheriff,” remarked Silas.

After the note reached his superior, the keeper was summoned to the Lord’s chambers. “Silas, I owe you a debt for uncovering the lawman’s evil treachery. What can I offer you as a reward?” said the Lord Chamberlain.

“If I may be so bold, sir. Suppose you could exempt those who have nothing to pay. It would show the people your willingness to care for the least of them,” said Silas.

“Indeed, after the sheriff’s trickery, a show of good faith would go a long way. I will grant you one hundred kroner to hand out as you see fit,” said the Lord Chamberlain.

Silas smiled and thanked his employer, then made his way to Farmer Brown’s.

“Greetings from the Lord Chamberlain. I have returned your cow and offer you a gold kroner for your troubles,” said Silas.

Next, it was over to Widow Thomson’s. With a fresh loaf of bread and two kroner, he helped to make ends meet.

The town was abuzz by the end of the week. People were talking about how Silas was helping those in greatest need. “That keeper is an alright fellow,” folks said.

The Lord Chamberlain was also pleased. Word reached him that landholders were glad that neighbors were no longer suffering. Work had even picked up.

“Silas never ceases to amaze me,” said the Lord.

Sitting alone in his hole in the ground, the keeper of things ate his soup and smiled to himself. “Perhaps I’m not so bad after all,” said Silas with a wry smile. “Then again, maybe I was never bad in the first place.”

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