Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1895-03-21
THE DECADE OF DUKE DEODO.
NATO.
TBy Anthony Hope.l

absolute ruler,n said Duke Deodo.
nato, "but | have made up my
mind. The doctor has convinced
me there DR.. Fusibus, Phi d.,
N bowed very low that marriage is
the best, modest, Wholesomest and hap
piest of human conditions"
"Your Highness Will remember"
began the president of the council.
"Aly lord, have made up my mind, y
said Duke Deudonato.
Thus speaking, the duke took a large
sheet Of foolscap paper and wrote rapid
ly for moment or two.
"There,n he said, pushing the paper
over to tie president, sis the decree.o
"The decree, sir?" -
II think three weeks afford ample
space,n said Duke Deodonato.
"Three weeks, sir?n
"For every man over q years of age
in this Duchy to find himself a wife,
"Your Highness, observed DR.. Fus-
bus, with Difference, twill consider
that between an abstract proposition
and practical measure"
'"There is to the logical mind no stop
ping place" interrupted Duke Deodo-
nato.
"But, sir" cried the president, "im-
agine the CONSERVATION which this!-''
''Det it be gazetted tonight" said
Duke Deodonrto.
81 would venture,n said the presi-
dent, ''to remind Your Highness that
you are yourself bachelor"
Laws said Duke Deodonato, "do
not bind the crown unless the crown is
expressly mentioned"
''True, sir; but I humbly conceive
that it would be pessi nj eXempli-"
"You are right; will marry myself
saiq Duke Deodonato.
"But, sir; three weeks! The hand of
a princess cannot be requested and
granted in"
: Tnen find me somebody else," said
"Deodonato, "and pray, leave me. l
would be alone,n and Duke Deodonato
waved his hand to the door.
Outside the door the president said
to the doctor:
~ could wish, sir, that you had not
convinced His His hness."
"My lord" rejoined the doctor,
"truth is my only preoccupation.'
"Sir," said the president, "are you
married?'
"My lord" answered the doctor, 81
am not"
II thought not" said the president,
as he folded up the decree and put it in
his pocket.
It is useless to deny that Duke Dec
donato's decree caused considerable
disturbance in the duchy. In the first
place. the crown lawyers raised puz-
zle of law. Did the word imam" a.
used III the decree include "woman?''
The president shook his head and re-
ferred the question to His Highness.
at seems immaterial,u observed the
duke. of man marries, woman
marries.u
sEx vi terminorum," assented the
doctor.
"But, SIR" said the president, "there
are more women than men in the
duchy."
Duke Deodonato threw down his pen.
"This is very provoking" said he.
"Why was it allowed? I'm sure it
happened before | came to the throne
The doctor was about to point out
that it could hardly have been guarded
against, when the president (who was
a better courtier) anticipates him.
eve did not foresee that Your High.
ness, in Your Highuess's wisdom,
would issue this Decree" he said hum
IsTrue,u said Duke Deodonato, who
was just man.
"Would Your Highness vouchsafe
any explanation"
aWhat are the judges for?n asked
Duke Deodonato. There is the law
let them interpret it"
Whereupon the judges held that a
amann was not a "woman, and that,
although every man must marry, no
woman need.
at will make no difference" said
the president.
"None at all, said Dr.. Fusbius.
Nor, perhaps, would it, seeing that
women are ever kind, and in no way
by nature averse to marriage, had it
not become known that Duke Deod0-
nato himself intended to choose "a wife
from the ladies of his own dominions,
and To CHI oSe her according to the adj
vice of DIR. Fushius, who, in truth, saw
little whittier his counsel would i'll the
end carry the duke without regard to
such adteutilious matters as rank OF
wealth. and purely for her beauty, tai
emf and virtue. Which resolve being
proclaimed, straightway all the ladies'
of the duchy, OF whatsoever station,
calling. aye appearance, wit or charac-
ter. couceiving each OF them that she,
and no other, should become the Ouch
ess, s,urdily refused all offers of mar
rage (al hJugh they were, many OF
them, as desperately enamored as viz
tuous ladies may be), aud did Taught
else than walk, drive, ride aud display
their charms in the park before the
windows of the ducal palace. Aud thus
it fell out that when week had g ne
by, 40 man had obeyed Duke Deodona
to's decree, and they were, from sheer
want Of brides, like to fall INFO con
tempt of the law and under the high
displeaSure of the duke.
Upon this the president and DIR. Fus.