The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-12-13

said the count slowly. "by taking re-
freshmcnt under it, ! shall be glad OF
your company afterwards, to Frank
fort. in obedience to his majesty'S COM
mandS.'
Thc messenger bowed low. accepted
the hospitality, and together they made
way across the Moselle. and along the
Roman road to the capital.
Within the walls of Frankfort. the
count was lodged III rooms near the
palace. to which his conductor guided
kim. and although it was still held that
he WAS not q priOsOner. an armed man
paced to and fro before his door all
night. The day following his arrival
Count Winncburg was summoned to the
court. and in Il large anteroom found
himself one Of Il numerous thrOng. con
spicuous among them all by reason Of
his great hight and bulk. The huge hall
was hung With tapestry. and at the
further end were great curtains. at each
edge of which stood half Il dozen armor-
ed men. the detachmcnts being officers.
Occasionally the curtains We're parted by
menials. who stood there 10 perform that
duty. and high mobiles entered. or came
ont. Sin"ly and in groups. Down the
sides Of the hail were packed some hun
Greds Of people. cllattering together for
the most part. ana gazing at those who
passed UP and down the OMEN space in
the ENTER. The count surmised that the
emperor held this court in whatever
apartment was behind the crimson cur
taine. lie felt the owes of the multi
rude upon him. and shifted uneasily from
one foot to another. cursing hIs u~ngain-
Illness. ashamed of the t~in@ling Of the
blood in his cheeks. He was out of
place IN this laughing. talking crowd. ex-
neriencing the sensations Of an uncouth
rustic suddenly thrust into the turmoil
of Il metropolis. reSCnting bitterly the
supposed Sncers that were flung at him.
He suspected tina the Whispering and
the @~igGlinG were directed toward him
self, and burned to draw his sword and
let these %popinjayS know for once what
a man could do. As 4 matter of fact it
was a buzz Of admiration at his stature
which went up whom he entered. but the
count had so little Of self-conceit III his
sorl that he never even guessed the
truth. Two mobiles. pacing near him,
he heard enc of them say distinctly:
THAT IS the fellow who threw the
archbishop over his head" while the 9th
CT. glancing at him, said:
by the coat, he seems capable Of up
setting the three of them. and I. for one.
wish more power to his muscle should
he attempt it."
The count shrank against the tapes
tried walls. hot With anger. wishing him
self 4 dwarf tina he might escape the
gaze of 50 many inquirine eyes. Just
as the scrutiny was becoming unbear-
able his companion touched him on the
elbow and said:
"Coun Winneburg, follow me-
He held aside the tapestry ut the back
Of the count, and that noble. nothing
10th. disappeared from view behind it.
Entering 4 narrow ~passageway, they
travcrsed it until they came to Il closed
door. ut each Intel of which stood Il
pikeman, fronted with a shining breast
plate OF metal. The counts conductor
opened it. holding it 50 that the count
could pass II. and when he had lone so
the door closed softly behind him. To
his amazemcnt. W~innehurg saw before
him. standing at the further end of the
small room. the Emperor Rudolph. on
tirely alcne. The count awkwardly was
about to knecl when his liege strobe for
ward and prevented him.
Count Winneburg.' he said. "from
what ] hear of Won. y0ur elbow joints
are more supple than those Of your
knees. therefore. let us be thankful that
on this occasion there is no need to use
either. | see YOU are under the mis-
t'hN ~ ih'Ht IL tIllDt1pI IL
present. But that thought from Your
mind. and regard me simply as Lord
Rudolnh, one gentleman wishing to have
some little conversation With another"
Your majesty stammered the count.
Il have but this moment suggested
that YOU use the title. my lord. But
leaving aside ali question Of saIutation.
let rs get to the heart Of the matter,
for | think we are both direct men. You
are summoned to Frankfort because
that high and MIGHTY prince Of the
church. the archbishop of Treves. has
made complaint to the emperor against
YOU, alleging what seems to be an IN
nardonable ~indignity suffered by him at
your hands"
Your maiesty-my lord. I mean" fall
tered the count. .The Indemnity was of
his wv seeking: he sat down in nv
chair. where he had no right to place
himself. and-1-persuaded him to re-
linuuiSh hiS nOc;fiopc