The morning times., 1896-09-13
The
Three
Plumes.
BY GERALD Brennan.
DOWNRIGHT. 1896.

Copyright, 1896,
Many, many years ago, when Bohemia
was an Independent Kingdom, there ruled
In the ancient city OF Prague King John,
whom allinen styled THE Good" Now this
King JOHN had three SONS; mere boys they
We're, but already giving handsome promise
OF brave and coInely manhood. Far and
wide they were known as the three hopes
OF Bohemia
King John could not say which was the
best OF his boys-whether Ladislaus or
Stanislaus or Eitel. Only year inter-
vened between each of the lads; and they
looked all three, about the same age. They
allhad the swarthy skin and raven hair and
their eyes flashed like black diamonds.
Prince Ladislaus, the eldest, rode like u
full-fledged knight Of his fathers court,
and could tilt with lance or sword in
manner wondrous for his age. Prince
.stanislaus was student, devoted to books
and to the attainment Of knowledge.
AS to Eitel. the youngest, lie was a merry
boy, with u laughing eye, and a clear
Voice that rung out like the song Of a
throstie in the thicket OF o May morning.
He loved storytelling as all true Bohe-
mains do even to this day. and tile old
hiuS dshtu bctnhS DcttcT thdu W ucdi
Eitel sing some old-time ballad or war
lyric. Indeed, the boy promised to become
a great adept in the arts OF music and
poetry.
Now it fell In the fifteenth year OF
King Johns reign that he called his sons
to his side, and laid open before them the
trouble which affected him. Straight
way each OF the boys eagerly disclaimed
all desire to rule, for they were generous
lads, and had not yet reached that age
when love of power becomes a sore tempta-
ton.
But the old king answered that one of
them must surely succeed him. Then
Ladislaus, the eldest, feeling for the hilt
OF his newly won sword. said to his father:
III such, indeed, be the case, my lord,
let each one or us go forth upoR a separate
quest, and travel over the earth for a
year and a day. At the end of that time,
whichever OF the three brings back TO your
court the most precious trophy of his
wanderiDgs, let him be named your herr
King John eagerly accepted this pro
posal, and next morning. at peep OF day,
the three princes took a tender farewell
OF their father and of each other on the
great bridge of Prague.
A year and a day passed by. The time
had come for the return OF the princes,
and every morning King John climbed
to the topmost tower of his palace and
looked eagerly North, South, and West
for some trace OF his boys. At last, as
he stood shading his eyes from the sun
light and gazing along the cleaning track
of the river he caught sight of barge
ill.,. .gn sth t.,, .fal
with cloth OF gold. A gallant company
Of armored knights sat in the Prov, and
upon raised dais among them, stood
slender figure, which, even a that distance,
the old king knew full well. 1t was that
of his eldest son, the Prince Ladisaus.
The eldest SON had travelled westward
over the Alps and into the fair, vine clad
land OF France. At the kings court
royal welcome was extended to him, and
in all the jousts, Journeys, and huntings.
he took part. None of his age could
stand before him. He had worsted the
Dauphin Of France in single combat, and
even grown warriors had fallen before
his lance.
Once lie had saved the king himself In
a boar hunt, when the furious quarry had
stood at bay and unhorsed his royal pur-
suer. HoDors and dignities without num-
Der were offered him IL he would stay
among the vines Of France but the year
and day were almost ended and great
longing called him home. On the day OF
his departure the monarch OF France pre-
seDted him with a body-guard of twenty
knights and with great bag of gold, 30
that he might travel back to Bohemia in
dignity and honor Moreover, the king
had given him for a crest, to wear above
his helmet, an ostrich plume-rare, in
deed, and precious, indeed, in those far
off days. In all Christendom there were
but three OF these famous ostrich plumcs,
sent by the Sultan OF Morocco to his
brother moDarchs north OF the Meditcrra-
mean. One had fallen to the sovereign Of
France, one to the pope and one TO
ruler who dwelt far away in the island
OF Ireland. Of all his trophies, Ladislaus
seemed proudest of the ostrich feather.
Not many days thereafter, a goodly
cavalcade approa ched the walls of Prague
from the southwark. Grave and reverend
doctors, with rich clcaks, ermin e-lined
and gold embroidered, rode two and two
upon iennets all a-jingle with golden
bells Behind came serving men bearing
great piles of parchment and Illuminated
volumes, and in the midst OF the thrOng, a
laurel crown upon his curly head, rode
the Prince Stanislaus. He, too, was usher
ed, amid fervor beyond telling, to the au-
dience hall, and there he, too. told his story.
In the south. at Rome. the Eternal,
Stanislaus had been welcomed even as had
Ladislaus at Paris. But wisdom. and not
Journeys, allured the second prince. He
spoke with the learned doctors, and the
Pope placed at his disposal those Won
drous treasures of lore and art which cen
turies had accumulated by the banks OF
Tiber Great fame and honor did Stanis-
laus win among the doctors: and all mar
veled that one so young should be go wise
i'm bucks and so keen of intellect The
Pope wished to make him q cardinal for
In those days cardinals were often mere
children; but his term OF absence neared
completion, and honesickness robbed even
Rome of its delights. When he at length
turned his face to the north he carried.
with him great store of gifts books Of
the rarest, gems worth kirg's ransom. and
priceless manuscripts wherewith TO spread
the light Of learning among the Bohemian
people. A company OF the wiscst scholars
in Italy cheerfully volunteered 10 fellow
him to his fathers court and be his liege.
to the end OF their lives. 1t was when
Stan:slaus came to lid the Pope farewell
that the successor of ST. Peter had fas-
tened in his velvet doctors cap teautirul
.s;rich feather the twin brother indeed
of that very feather which the French
king had given to Ladislau us, bioding him To
take it tu Prague in token of his good will
and blessing.
The ficIle nconle forgot the deeds Of