The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-11
The Counts Apology
Continued frow Eleventh Page.

neburg, ana thus his lordShlp of TreveS
was saved the expense of sending spe-
cial messengers TO each. In case Win
neburg neglected to summon the whole
council, the archbishop added to his
message, that he would refuse to re-
ceive the apology if any of the mobiles
were absent. Winneburg sent messen-
gers, first to Belistein, asking him to at
tend at TreveS on the second day of the
month. and bring with him an escort of
at least 100 men. Another he asked for
the third, another for the fourth, anoth-
er for the fifth, ad so on, resolved that
before a complete quorum was present.
half of the month would be gone, and
with it most of the archbishop's proven
der, for his lordShip, according to the
law of hospitality, was bound to enter
tain free of all charge to themselves the
various mobiles and their escorts.
On the first day of the month Winnie
burg entered the northern gate of
Treves, accompanied by 900 horsemen
and 800 foot soldiers. AT first the Of
ticers of the archbishop thought that an
invasion was contemplated, but Winnie
burg suavely, explained that if a thing
was worth doing at all it was worth
uOIuS NcIl. anu 1T WIS utt SOluS W
make any hole and corner affair of his
apology. Next day Belistein came along
accompanied by 500 cavalry and 500 foot
soldiers. The chamberlain Of the arch
bishop was in despair at having to tinu
quarters for so many, but he did the
best he could while the archbishop was
enraged to find that the mobiles did not
assemble in greater haste, but each as
he came had n plausible excuse for his
delay Some had to build bridges, sick
ness had broken out in another camp,
while third expedition had lost its way
and wandered in the forest. The streets
of Treves each night resounded with
songs of revelry, varied by the clash of
swords, when party of the newcomers
fell foul of a party of the town soldiers,
and the officers on either side had much
ado to keep the peace among their men.
The archbishop's wine cups were run
ming dry and the price of provisions had
risen, the whole surrounding country
being placed under contribution for
proyender and drink. When week had
elapsed the archbishop relaxed his dig
nifty and sent for Count Winneburs:
I'VE will not wait for the others" he
said. 81 have no desire to humiliate
You unnecessarily. Those who are here
will bear witness that you have apollo
gized. ad so / shall not insist on the
presence of the laggards, but will re-
ceive your apology tomorrow at high
noon in the great council chamber"
''Ah, there speaks a noble heart, ever
thinking generously of those who de-
spitefully use you. my lord archbishop"
- \
cannot accept such sacrifice. The EN-.
peror showed me plainly the enormity
of my offense. In the presence of all
insulted you, wretch that | am, and in
the presence of all shall / abase my
self"
but | do not seek your abasement,"
protested the archbishop frowning.
''The more honor then to your benevo-
lent nature" answered the count, land
the more shameful would it be of me to
take advantage of it. As | stood a
short time since on the walls / saw COM
ing up the river the banners of the
knight of Ehrenburg His castle is the
furthest removed from Treves. and so
the others cannot surely delay long.
We will wait, my lord archbishop, until
all are here. But / think you just as
much for your generosity as if | We're
craven enough to shield myself behind
it,
The knight of Ehrenburg in due time
arrived, and behind him his thousand
men, many of whom were compelled to
sleep in the public buildings. for all the
rooms in Treves were occupied. Next
day the archbishop summoned the as
sembled mobiles and said he would hear
the apology in their presence If the
others missed it, it was their own fault;
they should have been in time.
II cannot apologize" said the count,
until all are here. 1t was the empe-
ror's order, and who am l to disobey-
my emperor? We must await their
coming with patience, and indeed Treves
is a goodly town, in which all of us find
ourselves fully satisfied"
''Then, my blessing on you ALL" said
the archbishop, in a sour tone most I'M
suited for the benediction he was be-
slowing. return, / beg of you, in
stantly, to your castles. / forego the
apology"
''But / insist on rendering it," cried
the count, his mournful voice giving
some indication of the sorrow he felt at
his offense if it went unrequited.
1T is my duty, not only TO you, my
lord archbishop, but to his majesty the
emperor"
''I1hen in heavens name, get on with
it and depart. j am wiling to accept it
on your own TERMS as | have said be-
fore"
mo, not on my own terms, but on
yours. What matters a delay of week
or two? The hunting season does not
begin for fortnight, and we are all as
well at Treves as at home, besides, how
could / ever face my emperor again,
konwing / had disobeyed his COM
mands."
81 will make it right with the en-
peror," said the archbishop.
The knight of Ehrenburg now spoke
up, calmly,as was his custom:
"'Tis serious matter" he said, $50,
a man to take another's word touching
action of his majesty the emperor. You
have clerks here with you, perhaps, then,
you would bid them indite document
to be signed by yourself ahsolying my
friends, the count of Winneburg, from
all necessity of apologizing, so that
should the emperor take offense at his
disobedience, the parchment would hold
l.: I.In