The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-19

the shirt was handed over. but before the
bargain was struck the Frenchman told
my old friend why he set such store by
this curious relic. And this is the story:
The count said the Frenchman, was
my ancestor, and l alone remain of the
old stock. The family has become poor.
We have sunk in the world. The reVolu-
ton ruined US. My father was an exile,
l was his only son, and since Fortune
has not smiled upon me, / have never
married. The race will die out with me.
1t is as well; we have always been gem
tlemen; 1t is not good to bring children
into the world to face the misery and
poverty in which my life has been spent.
/ am old; l have lived as a gentleman;
nv ancestors. l hope. have not blushed
for me, for have kept what was dear
est TO them-the honor of our family.
But at what a cost! II l had had chill
dren they might not have succeeded so
well. Now, l wish only to see France
once more, to return, and then can die
in happiness, You have given me the
means. l shall be enabled to see my
native place by the money you have lent
me on this relic of our former grandeur.
The greatest of our family was the
Comte de Bussey, a chevalier of the
court of Henry III of France. Proud,
magnificent, generous, there was no no.
bic at the court who commanded more
esteem and respect than my ancestor the
comte. His sword was always at the ser
vice of his king and country, at the
service of any lady in distress, at the
service of the right He was gallant
"a
once saved mis- life from the poinard Of
the assassin, as you shall hear
E" AT that time France was weak, and
the king himself was but a weakling on
the throne Spain was hostile, the King
of Navarro, was a thorn in his side,
his brother, the Duo d Anjou, was con-
spring against him. and he had to face
the enmity of the powerful family of the
Due de Guise. To be a politician in those
days it was necessary that a man should
have a good sword in his hand, and a
good wrist to use it. Nay, more, he need
ed now and then a shirt of mail TO escape
the knife of the assassin. So il was with
my ancestor, the cOmte. He had been dis
patched by the king on a secret mission
10 the King of Navarro, and he had to
pass through the territory Of the Duo de
Guise, his mortal enemy. In the course
of his Journey he arrived at little town
and made his way to the principal inn.
The connte was travelling as a bourgeois,
as one Of those wandering merchants who
carry a small pack of goods before them
on the saddle. There was nothing IN MS
clothes by which one would have recog-
nized in him the appearance OF a courtier
and a gentleman of France.
" He carried no sword, only two daggers
concealed on his person, and he bore him.
self with the humility natural TO a man
Of the class to which his garb belonged
He was then about forty years Of age
and he had suffered his beard to grow
long and untrimmed. The disguise was
excellent. No one would have suspected
in Maitre Rlgnauld (for 50 he called him
self the famous Comte de Busy, the
friend Of his majesty Of France.
" Making his way into the public room
Of the inn, he found u deserted, ana nav
ing called for food and refreshments from
The innkeeper, and ordered his sleeping
apartment. he sat down % wait tiil bis
supper should be served. He had asked the
innkeeper about the state u the roads
beyond whether they were Infested BY rob
beers. and whether there was any danger
~ falling in with the armed attendants
az ar "a
time STAYING IN the nelRhb0rho0d. Sion
eieur n. N course. q friend ~ the Duo
~ Guise," said the innkeepef, casting 9
searching glance upon nln, Certainly