The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-09-11
t" Mercy ! mercy !" he yelled. " I'll cure

Msrey ! mercy ~ he yelled, I'll cur
her, sire I'll cure her,"
The princess stood before him pale an
dying. indicating her sutferlngs BY pointinI
with her finger down her open mouth. Tn
ceuntSyman began 10 ponder within himsel
how hs should eject this cure. He plainl
saw there was no backing out of it, but ths
ne must either succeed or perish from fog
giog
her throat. II could only succeed il max
ing her laugh, the chances are that I nigh
dlslodge it."
Impressed with this notion, be requested
the king 10 order large fire TO be lighte,
in the ball, and further desired to be lef
alone with the princess. When the hal
was deserted he partially undressed her
told her to seat herself near the fire. ant
commenced tickling her, making oil the time
sucn hldsous grimaces that in spite of hel
suherlngs, the princess suddenly burst out
into shout OF laughter. At the same in
slant the bone few out Of her throat and
fell upon the floor. Picking it up the
countrynan flew TO the door, crying 4" Sire,
sire, here It is ~
+" Il owe you my !iie," cried the king, 10 0
transport Of joy. And he promised to give
nim In reward for his services handsome
presents ot-go wns and cloaks. 1t was q Gus
tom among the kings and princes of that
period 70 make presents Of cloaks aud
dresses at Michaelmas and Christmas to the
nobility attached to their courts. Sometimes
the acceptance Of these presents was inter
Preted into willingness to enter into one
yeer's service with the king who offered
them. A chevalier thus apparaIled was
called Chevaler du Roi. The country
man thanked him. He declared. however
that he only wanted permission to return
to his home, feigning that his business
greatly needed his presence. La vain the
hing offered hin his friendship and entreat
I'd him 10 remain. He answered that he was
pressed that when he left home there was
positively no bread In the house, and that il
vas Imperative that be should carry wheat
10 the mill. But on signal from the king.
wnlch brought 10 two seargeants about him
aeai0, the countryman called for mercy.
promising TO remain not only a day but for
ever, u he were desired. Thereupon they
conducted him into room ia which he was
washed and shaved, and habited in a mag
nificeDt scarlet cloak. All this time. how.
ever, he was medtating q plan to escape,
ana comforted himself with believing that
practical opportunity would soon be pre-
sented.
The cure he had effected achieved for him
IN NO tune q great reputation. No sooner
had it been nOised abroad than upwards of
eighty sick persons belonging to the town
presented themselves ct the gates Of the
chateau, and besought the king to put in a
good word Tor them with the doctor. The
KING having calle him, " Ny friend" said
ne, recommend these persons to your
notice. Cure them all at once if you please
as l wish to ssnd them back to their
homes"
Sire," replied the countryman. unless
heaven cures Ihem cannot. There are too
many"
7" Let the t~o sergeants BE- brought ex.
ciaiWed the king.
At the approach Of these two formidable
persons tne poor wretch, trembling in every
nmo,volunteered not only to cure the eighty
sick persons, but the whole world IN the
bargain, even to the last man. lie begged
tne king and all those who were in good
health to leave the hall az they had done
before. Being left alone with the sick, he
ranged them all rOund the fireplace, in
Which he made . tremendous Are.
MY friends" he said, addressing them
with great solemnItv," it is no trlflng favor
20 accord tina. Of giving health 70 80, many
people In SO short time. There 10 only one
way that know of effecting general cure
amongst you, and that is, of choosing the
one who 10 most seriously i'll and throwing
him ln the fire. When be is consumed. the
ashes wall De distributed amongst you al to
swallow. The remedy 10 extreme. but III
stake my hea on the result"
saying this he sternly contemplated the
surrounding crowd, as if examining their
condition. But amongst them all there ,sas
no one who for the whole Of Normandy
would have allowed that his maladv was se-
nous. The doctor addressing one of them
exclaimed, 4" You're looking pale and III !;
you seem to have the most serious disorder
OF them all"
sire On my word, never felt better
IN my life than Dc 1t this moment"
Then what do you here, you villain"
exclaimed the doctor.
Without answering, the sick man opened
the door and took to his heels The King,
Who was outside, perceived the sick man
leave the nall. " Are you cured" he a. ked
Yes, sire" A moment alter another sick
man appeared. And you 20 I" am also
cured"
What was the result of this manoeuyre |?
There was not single soul, old or young,
male or female, who would consent to being
reduced to ashes. All left, swearing they
were all cured.
The delighted king returned to the hall
to congratulate the doctor. Hs was amazed
and hlled with admiration at the skill that
IN 30 short time could work SO many mir
acles.
Sire" exclaimed the DOCTOR" I Lave AZ
amulet possessed of a wondrous virtue, With
which l work my cures"
The king overwhelmed him with presents
He assured him Of eternal friendship, and
permitted him to return TO his wife, on con-
d'fion, however, that when be was wanted
ne should not be urged to come only by the
use OF the stick. The countryman now
osde adieu to the king. He had TO longer
any occasion to be laborer, and no longer
therefore cared to beat his wife To his a.
log day, however, he never knew how he
bad been made doctor.