The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-19
DON QUIXOTE DE LA PLATTE.
in Chicago Post.

N1CT., III 1HlcdBO fOSt.
Now it CHANGED that on the evening of
the second day of the eleventh month in
that year wherein he had encountered his
most lively adventures Don Qufxote de la
Platte drew rein at the edge of a vast
plain. He had ridden somewhat in advance
of his following motley gathering that
had become attached to his cause. partly
from lack Of other employment. but chiefly
through hope that they would acquire some
advantage out of the enterprise. Close on
his stirrup rode his faithful squire, Sancho
Tom-Tom; for, though the dolorous knight
had grown to look with mucn disdain upon
his henchman, yet did Sancho stand by
him, for, said he: An Don Quixote de la
Platte east me from him / shall be most
absolutely alone-an' then, that postoffice,
Down, false pride! 1t wants but twenty
four puny hours of servitude to decide
which is the greater fool. the don. who
hath all to lose, or his esquire, who hath
not aimed so high but that he may go back
to humber walks without breaking his
proud spirit" So, although the knight had
shown warm favor to another, to whom he
had promised to place close to his heart
when he should reap the fruits of his pres
ent adventure, Sancho Tom-Tom still chung
with steadfastness to his wavering for
tunes.
AS nights sable mantle fell close about
him, Don Quixote sat like as one cut from
stone, gazing across the shrouded expanse
and trying to bring from out the rising
vapors some augur of the morrow. He stiI
bestrode his favorite steed-Argentina. out
of Chimera by Anarchy-though it was
worn to little better than half it's former
proportions, for Don Quixote was a lively
If not q judicious horseman. The voices
OF the night spake no encouraging word To
the anxious queStioner, and, heaving q pro-
dlglous sigh, ne swung him from the sad
ole, and, using Sancho's paunch as a pillow
he courted sleep in this wise:
And now do l venture all on the single
cast OF a die, BY this hour of the morrow
sndi De either the greatest parsonage I'm
ali this broad land or a something for fools
10 Jeer and dogs to bark at. | have held NV
isins What bas ne eo my fortunes by prom
man, and if l fail in tomorrow most
sieIn encounter those who have endangered
tneir VerteDfae In SerVile salaams to my
most gracious presence will have scant
modesty in making of me q Plebian door
mat. All, | fear me for the morrow! True
L carried of a glorious victory IN nv en-
counter with the windmilIS. but / must moi
forget mat Tor such warfare nature hath
Dlessed me with peculiar qualities. An
Sancho. Sancho; could / but sleep like thee
Could / but forget for the moment, in OBJ
ilVlon ike TO thine, that / arr this night the
who sprains his larynx bowling Huzza. for
Don Quixote de la Platte. friend of the
people, / should with gladness forego Ger
tain conquest and go back to nv march
ments and .statutes-in faith, / think they
could yet give ne some slight knowIedgaS
The rythmic rise and fall OF Sancho's don
blet soon lulled the doubt-tortured knight.
ano loIn QuiNcte oe Ia platte. the man who
honor in all that country, slept.
Betmes next morning Sancho had occa-
SION TO turn for what he termed his wax.
ing sleep, and as he thus removed good
Don Quixote's pillow the head freighted
contact with the ground. and the sIIdden
waking broke in on a pleasing dream I'm
which the Don saw himself reposing on a
golden cross with n circlet OF silver tooth.
picks about his brow. AS the dream was
not finished, he placed his spurred boot
With much enecgy against Sancho's ::ether
person and rocked not In what SPOT his es-
quire should next touch earth. Don Ouix-
ote rejected that this incident was an in
suspicious beginning to a day so marked
by fate. 1t wanted yet some time to 6 of
the dial, at which hour the oracle had as
suTeu the 9ulSsant knight he should come
Wlthln sight or his most dreadsome an
tagonist and against whose overthrow he
would have cause 70 bring all his valor ana
endurance. A short space before Tn. fafad
hour the 2saia was still barren OF any note
worthy object, but as the suns shadow
touched the mark Don Quixote viewed In
the far center of the expanse a mighty fort
rtss. With haste which spa ke his eagerncss
ne counted Argentina, and. shading mis-
eyes from the sun. he gazsd long ana earn
estly upon the object which. with all its
beauty OF strength arc .riyhtfncss. seemed
while one might briefly let fall an eyeIid.
The hour longed for, yet nightly dreaded
has come Mt last" So exclaimed Don Cuix.
ote. Then, turning TO his sleeping COM
Iany, he delivered himf elf thus.
Gentlemen. the time is now come when
j am to put to the test all your romise OF
fealty to myself and the noble cause OF
which | am the most earnest champion. Be-
fore us lies the enemy's stronghold. If
victory should this day deign TO bless our
arms none OF us shall ever more know
want. The man among you who Is this
moment beholden to a fellow for 100 meas
ures OF gold may tomorrow discharge the
obsigat on with 100 measures OF 81 Yer. VIII n
you know is but half the amount. He who
hath nifty measures of silver to-day shall
have no measures tomorrow and he that
has nothing to-day shall follow the bene-
fictent workings OF my law, for his fortune
shall likewise be doubled. Cast your eyes