Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-26
The Riders Of the Green BaIdTiG.
a nOnANon or FEUDAL TInEs.

The traveller Of to-day would find
the country Of which | write vastly
different, in appearance and in condi-
ton, from what it was in those times
long ago.
Louis XI was king Of France, but
king only in name. The great lords
of the provinces were sovereign
princes, holding government in their
own right.
The kings Of Christendom them
selves were little else than robbers on
a large scale.
1t was a dull, lowery day, the 18th
of August, in the year of our Lord
1853, at Alsdorf, which was then
within the grand duchy of Luxem-
bourg, and the summer residence of
the grand duke,
On this dismal August day the
Grand Duke John stood in the outer
court of his castle, the gates of which
were thrown wide open, looking upon
a number Of children who were at
play upon the v%elvety sward. Three
of them we're children of his own
two boys and a girl-and three Others
we're children of one Of his foresters,
Galen Picard by name. Of the
dukes children Isabella was the old
est, having seen eight years. Leor
was the next, aged six years; and tht
youngest was Alfred, aged four. The
children Of the forester were two girls
and a boy, and very nearly of the same
ages, respectively, as their titled
mates. The boys had been foster.
brothers, the wife of the forester hav-
ing nursed them both.
On the present occasion the chill.
dren were engaged in sport, and the
dukes face frightened as Their glee.
some shouts and laughter reached him
BY and by the two foster brothers
seeing him, ran toward him.
Ha, my little heroesI' he cried
as the boys came up, where are YOU
quarter-stayes2 | haven't seen you
exercise for a long time"
With a whoop and a bound the lad,
dashed away, and very soon returned
with the stayes-two sticks Of tough
ash, wrought very nearly into th,
form Of broad-swords and at a sigma
from the duke they took position, anC
went at the sword exercise, showinl
very plainly, ere a dozen passes haC
been made, that they had eagerly pur
sued the sport, and that they had beer
blessed with the teaching of a thor
ough master.
John Of Luxembourg was notthe onli
witness of the boyish passage at arms
Ia the doorway of a lodge close a
hand stood a woman, the mother o
Leon Picard,and she called a compan
ion 70 witness.
TEL me, Mignon," the mother said
are they not brave boys?'
Indeed they are, Barbara. and wer
1t not for the clothes who coul
tell which was the lords son?p
Who, indeedl' exclaimed Barbar
Picard. If my own Leon had on th
fine velvet and the gold which tn
other Leon wears, he would be ever
bit as grand"
Foolish woman, said a voice be
hind her, outward apparel canno
make a hero. Look. See your Leon
weapon flying through the air"
She turned and beheld the duke
secretary, Heta BethtOni, who beside
attending to his masters literay wan
acted as tutor to the children.
AS might be gathered from the e.
clamation of the scribe the playfl
combat between the two boys had n
suited in perching victory upon Il
banner of Luxembourg. The duh
regarded his son proudly, and the
turned with smiling face to the fore
ter's son.
My little HERO he said, your G
fort just put forth shows to me tn.
you are worthy to own a sword. an
you shall have one and you shall Z
TO Bittburg tomorrow and select OF
for yourself; and my own Leon ar
our good Bethtoni shall 90 with yol
. All here comes ethtoni I see istre
Picard yonder, and the other childr,
are running towards her. Do you ty
join them"
Suddenly the tramp of horses W
heard, and Bethtoni rushed forwal
to close the main barbican.
did you not see the adyancil
troop, my lord?" he asked the duke.
81 saw a few horsemen ride out
the wood.
And marked you not who /,
them2"
81 saw a knight IN black armor?p
"Oh, John &C Luxembourg. If v,
knew all that ] know you would
arming. Those r the Black Ride
Of Grayelot, and be at their head
Maillotin du Bacl'
"Du Bael' cried John, with a Co
vulsive start. "The Black Rider
They have Joined the Count de Char
lais.
AYE, and for that reason thew a
herel Can you not understand m
count means, if possible, to posse
himself Of Luxembourg. I receiv,