The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-04-04
Select Stow.
THE THREE HoRsE-sHoEs;
Or, Marshal de SAKE and the Dutch Blacksmith


had so many children that he didn't
know what to do and so, as Maurice had
such lot OF elder brothers as to have
not much chance of inheriting the crown,
or anything else that would keep him in
bread and butter, his father sent him out
TO seek his fortune, like many another
prince in those days. So he went over
to France, and entered the army Of King
Louis XIV.
Now, at that time there was always a
war going on somewhere or other, and
the French armies were fighting in ev"
cry part of Europe; and the king cared
very little who his officers we're, or where
they came from, if they were only brave
men and clever fighters, and ready togo
wherever he liked to send them. So, as
you may think, 1t was not long before our
friend Maurice, who was quite as brave
as any of them, and good deal cleverer
than most, began to make his way. First,
he got to be a lieutenant, then captain,
then major, then colonel, and at last,
while he was still quite young man, he
came out as Count de SAKE, and Field
Marshal of the Army Of Flanders, with
ifty thousand men under him That
was pretty good promotion, wasn't itP
Curiously enough, the one thing that
this great general specially prided him.
self upon was neither his skill in warfare
nor his favor at court, but simply his
strength. There was nothing he enjoyed
30 much as showing off the power of his
muscles, and astonishing the people about
him by bending an iron bar, or telling a
horse with one blow of his fist; and he
was fond of saying that he would give his
purse and all the money init to any man
who was stronger than himself, if he
could ever fall in with him.
Now, it happened that, one day, while
the French and German armies were ly-
ing pretty close to each other, Marshal
de SAKE sent message to the enemy's
camp, asking some of the German off.
GERS to dine with him; and after the meal
he began to boast of his strength, as usu-
al, till at last an old German general, who
sat at his left, said that he would like to
see specimen of what his Excellency
could do. SAKE made no answer, but
took up a large silver dish, which was
standing before him, in his strong white
fingers (for, big and powerful as his
hands were, they where white and
smooth as any lady's, and he was very
proud of them, and, without more ado,
rolled it up like sheet of paper
"Can your Honor unroll that dish
again ?" asked he, handing it to the Ger
man; and, although the general was
strong man, and tried his best, he found
the task too hard for him, and was forced
to own himself beaten.
"Your Excellency's strength is very
great" said he, "but, nevertheless, Iven-
ture to think that there is one man in
Flanders who can match it,"
"And who may he be ?" asked SAKE,
frowniDg
"a blacksmith in the village of Sche.
veningen, Dirk Hogan by name. All the
country around knows of his exploits;
and when l met with him myself, l saw
such things as / should haye thoughtim
possible, had not my own eyes witnessed
them"
When the marshal heard this, he look
ed blaCker than ever; and the first thing
he did next morning was to send off mes.
sengers in every direction to inquire for
a village called Scheveningen, and man
named Dirk Hogan. And, sure enough,
some of them came back with news that
there was such village, and that Dirk
Hogan, the smith. had been living there
till quite lately; but that now he had sold
his forge and gone away, and nobody
knew what had become of him.
This was a decided disappointment for
our friend SAKE, but he had something
else to think of just then. The enemy's |
army had lately received strong rein.
and seemed inclined to at
Jack him; and he was riding out one
to reconnOiter their position,
when suddenly his horse stumbled and
,ast shoe.
"There's village just ahead of us,
your Excellency," said one of his officers.
Shall ride on and see if l can find
blacksmith ?"
"Do So" answered SAKE; and the Off
;er came back presently to say that he
lad found what he wanted. So the
horse was led up to the door Of the
mithy, and the smith himself came out
% have look at it.
The moment he appeared, the marshal
his eyes upon him as if he wo'd
ook him right through. And we'll he
night; for this smith was such man as
me does not see every day-Very nearly
8 tall as SAKE himself, and even broader
cross the shoulders, while upon his bare
rms the huge muscles stood out under
he tanned skin like coils of rope. The
marshal felt at once that he could never
,e comfortable till he had had trial Of
trength with this sturdy looking fellow;
o he bade him bring out one of his best
lorse.shoes.
The smith did 80; and SAKE, looking at
|, said quietly: This ware of yours is
ut poor stuff. my friend; it will notstand
FORK. Look here"
He took it in his strong hands, and
'ith one twist broke the iron like bis.
nit.
The smith looked at him for a moment,
nd then, without seeming at all taken
back, brought out second horseshoe,
nd third; but SAKE broke them as cas-
y as he had broken the first
Come" said he, II see it's no use
licking and choosing among such !
rashy lot; give me the first shoe that T.;
ONES to hand, and we'll cry quits" '
The smith produced fourth shoe, and ;
tied it on; andSaxe tossed him French I
rown-a coin about the size of silver /
Ollar. The Dutchman held it up to the
ght, and shook his head.
"This coin of yours is but poor metal,
lynheer," said he, saying the words just :
, the marshal had spoken his. "It !
ont stand work. Look hereW
He took the coin between his finger
nd thumb. and with one pinch cracked
in two like a wafer.*
1t was now the marshal's turn to stare; '
nd the officers exchanged winks behind I
is back, as much as to say that their i
had met his match at last e