The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-06-15

The Is mobiles who formed the coun-
Gil of state for the Moselle valley stood
in little groups in the rittersaal of Win
neburg's castle, situated on a hilltop in
the Ender valley, league or so from
the water of the Moselle. The mobiles
spoke in low tones together, for a
greater than they was present, no
other than their overload, the arch
bishop of Treves, who, in his stately
robes of office, paced up and down the
long room. glancing now and then
through the narrow windows which
gave view down the Ender valley.
There was trace of impatience in
his lordship's bearing, and well there
might be. for here was the council of
state in assemblage, yet their chair
man was absent and the mobiles stood
there helplessly, like a flock of sheep
whose shepherd is missing. The chair
man was no other than the Count of
Winneburg himself, in whose castle
they were now collected, and his lack
of punctuality was thus double dis
courtesy, for he was host as we'll as
president.
Each in turn had tried to soothe the
anger of the archbishop, for all liked
the Count of Winneburg, bluff and
generous hearted giant, who would
stand by his friends against all COM
ers, was the quarrel his own or no.
In truth. little cared the stalwart
Count of Winneburg whose quarrel it
was SO lons as his arm got opportunity
of welding blow in it. His lordship
of Treves had not taken this champion
ship of the absent man with good
grace and now strobe apart from the
group. holding himself haughtily, NUT
tering, perhaps prayers, perhaps some
thing else.
When one by one the mobiles had ar
rived at WinnPburg's castle, they were
informed that it's master had gone
hunting that morning. saying he would
return in 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 in the
chase, had forgotten all about the
meeting, for it was we'll known that
the counts body was better suited
for athletic sports or warfare than
was his mind for the consideration of
questions of state, and the mobiles,
themselves of similar caliber, proba-
bly, liked him none the less on that
account.
Presently the archbishop stopped in
his walk and faced the assemblage.
"My lords" he said, 1--WE have already
waited longer than the utmost stretch
of courtesy demands. The esteem In
which Count Winneburg holds our de-
liberations is indicated by his inexcus-
able neglect of 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 ta-
ble."
Saying which the archbishop strobe
to the vacant chair and seated himself
in it at the head of the board. The
mobiles 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 ambition than to confirm
still further the power he already had
over them. When year before these
councils of state had been inaugurated,
the archbishop had opposed them; but,
finding that the emperor was inclined
to defer to the wishes of his mobiles,
the lord of Treves had insisted upon
his right to be present during the de-
liberations. and this right the emperor
had conceded. He further proposed
that the meeting should be held at his
own castle of Cochem as being con-
venlently situated midway between
CoblentZ and Treves, but to this the
mobiles had with fervent unanimity OBJ.
jected.
| Cochem castle. they remembered,
possessed strong walls and deep dun.
geons, and they had no desire to trust
themselves within the lions jaws, hav-
Ing little faith in his lordship's benev.
olent intentions toward them. The EN-.
peror seemed favorable to the selec-
tion of Cochem as a convenient place
of meeting. and the mobiles were non.
plused. because they could not give
their real renson for wishing to avoid
1t, and the archbishop continued to
press the claims of Cochem as being OF
equal advantage to all.
at is not as though I asked them to
come to Treves." said the archbishop
''for that would entail long journey
upon those living near the Rhine, an
in going to Cochem shall myself have
to travel as far as those who come
from Coblentz"
The emperor said:
'It seems most reasonable selec.
tion, and unless some strong objection
be urged shall confirm the choice OF
| Cochem."
The mobiles were all struck with ap.
prehension at these words and knew
not what TO say, when suddenly, to
their great delight. up spoke the stal.
wart Count OF Winneburg.
"Your majesty" he said. "my castle
stands but short league from Cochem
and has n rittersaal as large as that
In the pinnacled palace owned by the
archbishop II is equally convenient
to all concerned, and every gentleman