The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-11

The Is mobiles who formed the council
of state for the Moselle valley stood in
little groups in the rittersaal of Winnie
the Ender valley, league or so from
the water of the Moselle. The mobiles
spoke in low tones together, for Il great
or than they was present, no other
than their over-lord, the archbishop of
Treves, paced up and down the long
room CHANGING now and then through
the narrow windows which gave view
down the Ender valley. There was Il
trace of impatience in his lordship's
bearing, and well there might be- for
here was the council of state III assem-
blage, yet their chairman was absent
and the mobiles stood there helplessly,
like flock of sheep whose shepherd is
missing The chairman was no other
than the count of Winneburg himself, i'll
whose castle they were now collected
and his lack of punctuality was thus q
double dscourtesy for he was host as
well as president.
Each in turn had tried to soothe the
anger of the archbishop, for all liked
the count of Winneburg, a bluff and
generous-hearted giant, who would
stand by his friends against all corners,
was the quarrel his own or no. Ia truth
little cared the stalwart count of Winnie
burg whose quarrel it was so long as his
arm got opportunity of welding blow
in it. His lordship of Treves had not
taken this championship of the absent
man with good grace, and now STROBE
apart from the group, holding himself
haughtily. muttering. perhaps prayers,
perhaps something else.
NV In r.
rived at Winneburg's castle, they We're
informed that it's master had gone
hunting that morning, saying he would
return i'm time for the midday meal,
but nothing had been heard of him since.
although mounted messengers had been
sent forth, and the great bell in the
southern tower had been set ringing
when the archbishop arrived 1t was the
general opinion that Count Winneburg,
becoming interested i'll the chase, had for
gotten all about the meeting, for it was
well known that the counts body was
better suited for athletic sports or war
fare than was his mind for the considera
ton of questions of state. and the mobiles,
themselves of similar calibre, probably
liked him none the less on that account.
Presently the archbishop stopped i'll his
walk and faced the assembage. My
lords" he said. ''we have already waited
longer than the utmost stretch of courte-
sy demands. The esteem in which Count
Winneburg holds our deliberations is in
Dictated by his inexcusable neglect of a
duty conferred upon him by you, and
voluntarily accepted by him. / shall
therefore take my place in his chair, and
/ call upon you to seat yourselves at the
council table,
Saying which, the archbishop strobe
to the vacant chair and seated himself
in it at the head of the board. The no
bles looked one at the other with some
dismay. for it was never their intention
that the archbishop should preside over
their meeting, the object of which was
rather to curb that high prelate's ambi-
ton. than TO confirm still further the
power he already had over them. When
a year before these councils of state had
been inaugurated, the archbishop had
opposed them; but finding that the en-
peror was inclined to defer to the wishes
of his MOBILES the lord of Treyes had in
sisted upon his right to be present dur
ing the deliberations, and this right the
emperor had conceded. He further pro-
posed that the meeting should be held
at his own castle of Cochem. as being
conveniently situated midway between
4
bles had with fervent unanmity objected.
Cochren castle, they remembered, pos
sessed strong walls and deep dungeons,
and they had no desire to trust them
selves within the lions jaws. having little
faith in his lordship's benevolent inten-
lions toward them. The emperor seemed
favorable to the selection of Cochem as
a convenient place of meeting, and the
mobiles were nonplussed. because they
could not give their real reason for wish
ing to avoid it, and the archbishop con-
tinued to press the claims of Cochem as
being of equal advantage to ALL
1T is not as though 1 asked them to
come to Treves,' said the archbishop,
for that would entail long journey,
upon those living near the Rhine, and in
going to Cochem / shall myself have to
travel as far as those who come from
Coblentz."
The emperor said:
1T seems a most reasonable selection,
and unless some strong objection be
urged, l shall confirm the choice of
Cochem.'
The mobiles were all struck with appre
hension at these words, and knew not
what to say, when suddenly, to their
great delight, up spoke the stalwart
count of Winneburg.
Your majesty" he said, my castle
stands but short league from Cochem,
and has Rittersaal as large as that in
the Pinnacled palace owned by the ach-
bishop. 1t is equally convenient to all
concerned, and every gentleman is
right welcome to its hospitality. My
cellars are well filled with good wine,
and my larders are stocked with album
dance of food. All that can be urged in
favor of Cochem applies with equal
truth to the Schloss Winneburg. If,
therefore, the council will accept of my
roof, it is theirs
The mobiles with universal enthusiasm
cried:
"Yes, yes; Winneburg is the spot
The emperor smiled, for he well knew
that his lordship of Treves was some
what misery in the dispensing Of his
hospitality. He preferred to see his
guests drink the wine of poor vintage
rather than tap the bottle which con-
tanned the wine of yield of a good year.
His majesty smiled because he mag
ined his mobiles thought of the repienish-
ing of their StomochS whereas they