New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1894-02-07
BY THE RED DEATH.

About the middle of the seventeenth
century there lived in Venice certain
naughty duke SO rich and powerful as
to be feared. by friend as we'll as foe,
for that was period of constant MUIR
der and assassination.
1t was the custom of this nobleman
to give costly banquets in the great hall
of his palace, but there was always one
thing to mar the festivity of the occa-
sion-the constant dread of some secret
agent of death.
And what tended still more to mys-
terry and fear on these occasions of festiv-
ity was the presence of the Red Mask.
Next to the lord of the feast, on his left
hand, always sat silent, mysterious
figure in a red domino, with blood red
mask concealing every feature.
Before the guests separated he always
rose, gave his hand to the noble host,
and then went slowly. solemnly and
silently around the table, shaking hands
with each.
As all believed that he was the dukes
secret poisoner, he was regarded with
awe and dread ard came in tiroe m 1>e
spoken of and known as the keu Death.
How his fatal purpose was effected Rene
could say, but it was conjectured that
upon one of his jeweled fingers he v.c1-
! what was known as the death rr''-
ring curiously constructed, with dead
ly poison in the interior, which could
be injected, by sudden pressure upon
| concealed spring, into the hand Of any
one taken in apparent friendship.
In the very zenith of his life and
| power the duke one day received the
singular intelligence that gentleman
had made his appearance in Venice so
closely resembling him in face and fig
ure that more than one person had mis-
taken him for his grace.
"Who is this adventurer?' angrily
/ demanded the duke. go, seek him out
and say it is my pleasure to see him at
my palace!''
The stranger was found and readily
accepted the invitation of the nobleman,
who received him in his private apart
ments, with only one attendant present.
The resemblance of the two was Ger
tain1y very striking.
"Who are you?'' demanded the duke
in an imperious tone.
II am the Count of Palmera!''
At the mention of this title the attend
ant of the duke gave slight, quick
start and fixed his eyes searchingly upon
the stranger.
II am glad at least to hear you are q
nobleman,'' pursued the duke, as the
thought of having my likeness borne by
plebeian would have been too humiIi-
ating. There should be but one such
face in Venice, count!''
SO think I, duke!''
II may hope, then, you will take
early leave of our proud city!''
Il was in hopes your race had made
arrangements to quit the country!''
"You are insolent, count!''
$50 are you, duke''
''By the bones Of St. Mark!' the duke
began in malignant rage, but added,
in quite different tone, with forced
Bmile: .#.-..
"Your pardon, count; am too has
ty. 1t is not the fault of either of US
that we look alike and have tempers
alike. If we cannot be friends, there is
no need Of our being enemies.
II am disposed to meet your grace
half way in either anger or friendship"
T thank your lordship, and trust you
will honor my banquet on Friday even
ing next with your presence, when I
will do myself the pleasure to introduce
your lordship to some Of the first mobiles
of Venice. .
As Antonio left the presence of his
noble master, he seized the first oppor-
tunity to say to the count:
Ny lord, have private word for
your ear. We are countrymen.'
Indeed?''
YES, pursued Antonio, speaking
low and in Spanish. {. I know your
house well, and Il would serve you.
Your life is in danger here
So believe.
II think this banquet is given ex-5
pressly to destroy your
had my fears. 3
Yet if You will come to it and fol-