Middletown transcript., 1870-01-22

countryman few to the door crying, "Sire,
sire, here it is here it is p
~ owe you my life!' cried the king,
in transport of joy. And he promised
to give him in reward for his services
handsome presents of gowns and cloaks.
1t was a custom among the kings and
princeses of that period to make presents of
cloaks and dresses at Mchaelmas and
Christmas to the nobility attached to their
courts. Sometimes the acceptance of these
presents was interpreted into willingness
to enter into one years service with the
king who offered them. A Chevalier thus
apparelled was called a chevalier Roi
The countryman thanked him. He de-
clared, however, that he only wanted per-
mission to return to his home, feigning
that his business greatly needed his atten-
ton. In vain the king offered him his
friendship and entreated him to remain.
He answered that he was pressed; that
when he left there was positively no bread
in the house, and that it was imperative
that he should carry wheat to the mill
But on signal from the king which
brought the two sergeants about him again,
the countryman cried for mercy promis-
ing to remain not only a day but forever,
if it were desired. Thercupon they con-
Quoted him into room in which he was
washed and shaved and habited in mag
nifcent scarlet cloak. All this time, how
ever, he was mcditating plan to escape,
and comfortcd himself with believing that
a practical opportunity would soon be pre-
sented.
The cure he had effected achieved for
him in no time great reputation. Nc
sooner had it been noised abroad than up
wards of eighty sick persons belonging tc
the town presented themselves at the gates
of the chateau, and bcsought the king tc
put i'll a good word for them with the doc,
tor. The king having called him. " My
friend" said he, 81 recommended these
persons to your notice. Cure them all al
once, as [ wish to send them back again
to their homes"
:" Sire'' replied the countryman, " un-
less heaven cures them l cannot. There
are so many"
" Let the two sergeants be brought
exclaimed the king.
At the approach ofthcse two formidable
persons the poor wretch, trembling in
every limb, volunteered not only to cure
the eighty-six persons, but the whole
world in the bargain, even to the last man
He begged the king and all those who
were in good health to leave the hall a:
they had done before. Being left alone
with the sick, he ranged them ali round
the fire. place, in which he made a tre-
mendous fire.
"My friends" he said, addressing
them with great solemnity, " it is nc
trifing favor to accord, that of giving
health to so many people in SO short Il
time. There is only one way that know
of effecting general cure amongst you
and that is, of choosing the one who is
most seriously i'll and throwing him into
the fire. When he is consumed, the ashes
will be distributed amongst you all to
swallow. The remedy is extreme, but
I'll stake my head on the result"
Saying this he sternly contemplated
the surrounding crowd, as if examining
their condition. But amongst them al
there was not one who for the whole o
Normandy would have allowed that thei
malady was serious. The doctor address
ing one of them, exclaimed, "You ar,
looking pale and i'll +: you seem to hav,
the most serious disorder of them all.
81, sire? On my word, never fcl
better in my life than l do at this mo
ment"
"Then what do you want here, you vii
lain ?" cried the doctor.
Without answering, the sick man open
cd the door and took to his heels. Th
king, who was outside, perceived the sicl
man leave the hall care you cured 2
he asked. "Yes, sire" A moment aftc
another sick man appeared. "And you :?
~ am cured"
What was the result of this man@uvre
There was not single soul, old or young
male or female, who would consent to be
ing reduced to ashes. All left swearin
they were cured.
The delighted king returned to the hal
to congratulate the doctor. lie was amaz
E ed and filled with admiration at the ski
that in so short time could work SO ma
ny miracles.
"Sire," exclaimed the doctor, 'sI hay
an amulet possessed of a wondrous virtu
with which work my cures"
The king overwhelmed him with pres
ents He assured him of his etorni
friendship, and permitted him to return
his wife, on condition, however, that whe
he was wanted he should not be urged t
come only by the use of the stick. Th
countryman now bade adieu to the king
He had now no longer any occasion to b
a laborer; and no longer therefore, care
to beat his wife. To his dying day. how
ever, he never knew how he had bee
made doctor.
No gentleman should be presented to