The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-19


complaints Count Bertrich, who had remained
drinking in blacksmith fought for
the land. Nevertheless, nobility accepted the
invitation of the powerful Archbishop of Treves and
assembled in the great room of the castle each
equipped in all the gorgeous panoply of full armor.
1t had been rumored among the mobiles that the En-
peror would not permit the Archbishop sully the
caste of knghthood by asking recognize
hold converse with one in humble station of life.
Indeed, had it been otherwise Count Bertrich with
the Barons to back him, resolved speak out
boldly to the Emperor, upholding the privileges Of
their class and protesting against insult to it in
ence of the blacksmith and his sons.
When all assembled in the great hail they found
at the center of the long side wall a magnificent
throne erected with das in front of it, and this
throne sat the Emperor in state while at his right
hand stood the lordly Archbishop of Treves. But
what was more disquieting they bened also the
blacksmith standing before the dais some distance
in front of the Emperor clad in his apron
with his big brawny folded over the top of the
handle of his huge sledge-hammer Behind him were
ranged his twelve sons There were deep frov-ns on
the brows Of the mobiles they saw this and after
kneellng and protesting their loyalty Emperor
they stood aoof and apart leaving clear space be-
tween themselves and the plebeian blacksmith on
whom they cast lowering looks When the saIuta-
tons to the Emperor had given the Archbishop
took step forward the dais and spoke in clear
voice that could be heard the furthermost corner
Of the
my Lords" he said at have invited Won hfther
that you hScN the privilege of doing honor to n
brave ask you to salute the blacksmith Arras
who when his country in danger, crushed the in.
vaders effectualy ever his right arm welding
sledge, crushed hot iron."
the blacksmith, but loud murmurs broke out among
the nobility, and stepped forward to salute him
One, indeed stepped forward, but it was to appeal
to the Emperor.
your Majesty" exclaimed Count Bertrich, "this
is an unwarranted breach of privileges It is not
meet that holding noble names should asked to
consort with untitled blacksmith appeal to your
Majesty against the Archbishop under the feudal
law"
All eyes turned upon the Emperor Who after .
pause said:
peal"
An expression of triumph came into the red bibu-
ous face OF Count Bertrch, and the mobiles shouted
joyously:
1.-THE Emperor, the Emperor"
The Archbishop, however, seemed IN way nom
plused by his defeat, but, addressing the armorer.
said;
Advance, blacksmith and do homage to ycur
Emperor and mine"
When the blacksmith knelt before the throne. the
Emperor, taking his jeweled sword from his side.
smote the kneeng man lightly his broad Shout
ders saying:
arise. Count Arras noble of the German Empire
and first Lord of the Alf-thal."
The blacksmith slowly to his feet bowed low
ly to the Emperor, and backed to thu .race
had formerly stood, again resting his hands on the
handle of his sedge- hammer. The of exultation
faded from the face Of Count Bertrich, was re-
placed by expression of dismay lie had been
till that himself first Lord of the Alf-thaI
with second.
my lords" spoke up the Archbishop
Il ask you to salute Count Arras first Lord of
AIf-thal"
No noble moved, and again Count Bertrch ap-
Are to receive on terms of equality he said
"a landless man; the count of blatksmths hut;
first lord of forge? For the time appeal to
your Majesty against such outrage"
The Emperor replied calmly:
again I support the appeal Of Count Bertrich"
There was this time applause from the sur
rounding mobiles, for many OF them some srnat-
tering idea of what next to happen, though the
Count Bertrich gave him no intima-
ton of it.
Count Arras" said the Archbishop. st promised
you Christmas gift when last left you your
hocfO
forever this castle of Burg Arras, ad-
joining it. ask you to hold it for and faith
fully. as you held the pass of the Eifel My Lords"
continued the Archbishop, turning nobles with
ring Of menace in his voice, ST ask you salute
Count Arras, your equal in title, your equal pos
sessions and the superior of any of you in pa
triotism and bravery If noble question his
age let him neglect to give Count Of Burg Arras his
title and salutation as he passes before him."
Indeed, and that will T." said the tall noble
who had sat at Bertrichs right hand in his castle,
for, my lords, if we hesitate longer, this doughty
blacksmith will be Emperor before know it."
Then, advancing toward the ex-armorer, he saidI
my Lord, Count of Burg Arras It gives pleasure
to salute you' and to hope that when Emperor
Archbishop are to be fought for, your arm will be
no less powerful in a coat Of mail than it when
you leathern apron"
One by the mobiles passed and saluted as their
leader had done. Count Bertrich hung back until the
last, and then he passed the Count of Burg
Arras he Kissed at him. with look Of rage, the sim
gle word, Blacksmith"
The Count of Burg Arras stirred to sudden anger,
and forgetting in whose presence Stood swung his
huge Sledge-narnmer MS mead, and brought IL
down the armored back of Count Bertrfch, roaring
the word "AnviI!"
The splintered like crushed Ice and Count
Bertrich fell his face and lay there. There
was instant Of Treason! Treasonl" and shouts
of mo may draw in the Emperor's pres.
ence."
MY Lord Emperor" cried the Count of Burg Ar.
ras, 81 crave pardon if have done anfss A man
does not forget the tricks his old calling when he
takes honors. Your Majesty has said that
count This man, having heard your Majestys
word, proclaims me blacksmith, gave the lie
to his Emperor. For this struck him, and would
again, even though he stood before throne in
palace or the altar in cathedral If be treason
take from your honors, let me back to nv
forge, where this same hammer will mend the armor
hos hrnlzn or 1nnt out - 49,