The Daily bulletin., 1890-12-31


The tale printed below is founded ON faotl
Two men. cropping through the fog,
jostled each other at the door to Dolly's
coffee house.
Sir" exclaimed the elder, laying
hand 10 his sword, "a man of honor
''lnvariahly allows precedence to his
senior" interrupted the other, bowling
gracefully and stepping aside.
And" continued the first speaker,
the frown vanishing from his brow, "he
grants SO much consideration for that
seniors tesGness that Re excuses him
and becomes his guest at dinner"
Pardon, monsieur" responded the
younger man, but aln the Count Po-
niatowsld.
Then rank shall not hedge your re-
fusal, for am Frederick, king of Corsi-
ca. So now, to table, and, waiter
bring us of your best"
Seated in the room to which the at
tendant conducted them he of middle
age and he of primal vigor gazed at
each other questioningly.
Count" began the former, "have
you hopes in Poland?"
81 scarce can tell. | wait the will
and favor of Catherine of Russia"
"Dream not too fairly of the future.
l, too, wait and plan and hope-but
pshaw! here comes the wine. Now
toast. Fill high and drink Deep for It's
yourself. To the successor of Sobieski;
may he soon reign at Warsaw"
II send it back, your majesty. To
the son of Theodore; may he yet rule
the realm his father Won"
Dinner is served" interposed the
waiter.
1t was meal of the sort for which
Dolly's coffee house had fame, and the
new friends failed not in devotion to the
smoking dishes. The plates removed
they ordered pipes and port. His males
ty, flushed with generous drinking, felt
in his waistcoat pocket and withdrew an
empty hand. He turned to the at
tendant.
"You have served q king right roy
ally, and shall have royal Fee. Your
nameY"
wilkins, sire"
twill remain in memory. To-mor-
row expect = parchment creating you
knight OF Ajaccio."
while, i'll present payment" laughed
the count, lie this bright English
crown of silver. '7'i5 the last of many"
"My humble thanks to both. And
here's your Li.l.
~ have score" replied Frederick,
''to which direct the manager to add
this item. So, Wilkins, adieu until the
morn"
The three entered tho public room, the
waiter fastening ahead TO confer with
burly man behind the bar The latter
exclaimed;
Look yo, Mister King, OF whatever
you call yourselfi claim good coin for
good fare, Too much you are my debtor
now"
MY purse is empty, but we viii not
parley." answered Frederick, drawing a
massive ring from his finger. "Here is
the signet of my dominion of Corsica
leave it in pawn till come again
Does it satisfy your clamorT'
"Twill DO" growled the manager,
weighing the jewel in his hand.
At the door Poniatowski and the pre-
tender halted. The fog had risen. Frost
filled the air. The stars shone undim-
med 1t was glorious English winters
night.
~ go this way" spoke the count.
pointing down the street.
II the other" responded his majesty.
Farewell and better fortune"
Slowly the old man walked few rods
until he reached IL door opening ON the
pave. He stopped, glanced at the brill
liant heavens, sighed and went in.
At early dawn passing watchman
cried:
"Five O the clock ON New Years morn.
God save the king!"
Yes, God save the king, for on hum
bic cot in his cheerless upper chamber
he lies stark and stiffening, bullet
through his brain, slain by his own hand.
FRED 9. DAYTON.