The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-04-05

enemy's army had lately received strong
reinforcements, and seemed inclined to
attack him and he was riding ont one
morning to reconnoiter their position,
when suddenly his horse stumbled and
cast a shoe.
"There's a village just ahead of us,
your Excellency," said one OF his Off
GERS. "Shall / ride on and see if can
find a blacksmith p
"Do So" answered SAKE, and the of
ficer came back presently to say that he
had found what he wanted. So the
horse was led up to the door of the
smithy, and the smith himself came out
to have look at it.
The moment he appeared, the Marshal
fastened his eyes upon him as If he
would look him right through. And
we'll he might, for this smith was such a
man as one does not see every day-very
nearly as tall as SAKE himself, and even
broader across the shoulders, while upon
his bare arms the huge muscles stood
out under the tanned skin like coils of
rope. The Marshal felt at once that he
could never be comfortable till he had
had trial of strength with this sturdy
looking fellow; SO he babe him bring
out one of his best horse-shoes.
The smith did 30, and SAKE, looking
at it, said quietly: "This ware of yours
is but poor stuff, my friend; it will not
stand work. Look here u
He took it in his strong hands, and
with one twist broke the iron like bis
cult.
The smith looked at him for mo-
ment, and then, without seeming at all
taken absck, brought out second
horseshoe, and third; but SAKE broke
them as easily as he had broken the
first.
"Come," said he, 81 see it's no use
picking and choosing among such a
trashy lot; give me the first shoe that
comes to hand, and we'll cry quits.
The smith produced a fourth shoe,
and fitted it on; and SAKE tossed him
French crown--a coin about the size of
silver dollar. The Dutchman held it up
to the light, and shook his head.
"This coin of yours is but poor metal,
mynheer," said he. saying the words
just as the Marshal had spoken his. cit
won't stand work. Look here |"
He took the coin between his finger
and thumb, and with one pinch cracked
it in two like a wafer.
1t was now the Marshal's turn to stare;
and the officers exchanged winks behind
his back, as much as to say that their
champion had met his match at Last.
SAKE brought out another crown, and
then third but the smith served them
in like manner.
"Come," said he, initiating the Mar
shal's voice to perfection, " L see it's no
use picking and choosing among such a
trashy lot. Give me the first crown
that comes to hand, and we'll Cry quits.
The Frenchman looked at the Dutch
mantle Dutchman looked at the
Frenchman-andt then both burst into a
roar of laughter so loud and hearty that
the officers who stood by could not help
joining in.
Fairly caught I" cried the Marshal,
suddenly, and added, whats your
name, my fine fellow?"
"Dirk Hogan, from Scheveningen."
dirk Hogan p cried SAKE. 1.-THE
very man I've been looking for ! But
I've found him in a way 1 didn't ex-
pect -
$50 it seems" said the smith, grin
ming. 81 needn't ask who you are
you're the Count de SAKE, who was al
ways wanting to meet with stronger
man than himself. Does it seem to you
as if you had met with him now p
"Well, rather think it does" quoth
SAKE, Struggling his shoulders; and, as
promised to give HIM my purse when
ever L did meet with him, here it is.
And now, if you'll come along with me,
and serve as farrier to my headquarters
staff, promise you that you shall never
have cause to repent of having met with
Maurice de SAKE"
And the Marshal was as good as his
word.-Dovid Ker, IN So. Nicholas for
april.