Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-06-12


OF Winneburg and hold yourself there
In readiness to proceed TO Treves on
day appointed by his lordship the arch
| bishop, an elector OF this empire. there
to humble yourself before him and
crave his pardon for the offense you
have committed. Disobey at your
peril"
Once or twice the count moistened
his dry lips: then he said:
"Your majesty, will obey any COM
mand you place upon me-"
"In that case" continued the EN-
peror, his severity vislbly relaxing, Il
can promise that your overload will not
hold this incident against you. Such,
understand, is your intention, my
lord archbishop" and the emperor
turned toward the prince Of Treyes.
The archbishop bowed low and thus
yelled the malignant hatred In his eyes.
"Yes, your majesty" he replied, pro
viding the apology is given as publicly
as was the insult, In presence Of those
who were witnesses Of the counts fool
ishness."
THAT Is but a just condition" said
the emperor. Remember that the
council will be summoned to Treves TO
hear the counts apology. And now,
Count Of Winneburg, you are at liberty
to withdraw"
The count drew his mammoth hand
across his brow and scattered to the
floor the moisture that had collected
there. He tried to speak. but appar-
emily could not, then turned and walk
ed resolutely toward the door. There
was an instant outcry at this, the
chamberlain Of the court, standing In
stupefied amazement at breach OF eti-
auette which exhibited any mans back
to the emperor, but smile relaxed the
emperor's lips. and he held up his
hand.
"Do not molest him." he said as the
count disappeared. HE Is unused TO
the artificial manners OF court. In
truth, I take II as friendly act, for |
am sure the valiant count never turns
his back upon foe" which imperial
wlttIcism was well received. for the
sayings Of an emperor rarely lack APP
plause.
The count, vending his long way
home by the route he had come, spent
the first half Of the journey in cursing
the archbishop and the latter half in
thinking over the situation. BY the
time he had reached his castle he had
formulated a plan. and this plan he
| proceeded to put into execution on re-
| ceiying the summons OF the archbishop
10 come TO Treyes on the first day OF
the following month and make his
apology. the archbishop. with charge
terlstic penuriousness, leaving the In
yitIng OF the 10 mobiles who formed the
council TO Winneburg, and thus his
lordship OF Treves was saved the ex-
pense OF sending special messengers TO
each. In case Winneburg neglected 10
summon the whole council, she arch
bishop added TO his message that he
would refuse 10 receive the apology II
any OF the mobiles were absent.
Wlnneburg sent messengers, first 10
Beilstein, asking him 10 attend nj
Treves on the second day OF the month
and bring with him an escort OF at
least 1000 men. Another he asked for
the third, another for the fourth. an
other for the fifth. and SO on, resolved
nnnantnfa
present half OF the month would be
gone and with It most OF the arch
bishops provender. for his lordship,
according 10 the law OF hospitality,
was bound to entertain 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 200 horsemen
and 500 foot soldiers. At first the Off
GERS Of the archbishop thought that an
invasion was contemplated. but Win
neburg suavcly explained that II a
thing was worth doing at all it was
worth doing WELL and he was not go-
Ing to make any hole and corner affair
Of his apology. Next day Beilstein
came along accompanied by 800 cayal-
~ and 500 foot soldiers. The cham
berlain Of the archbishop was in de-
spalr at having TO find 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 a plausible excuse for his delay.
Some had TO build bridges. sickness
had broken out In another camp. while
a 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 a party OF the newcom-
ers fell foul Of party Of the town SOL
diers. and the officers on either side
had much ado to keep the peace among
their men. The archblshop's wine
cups were running dry. and the price
Of provisions had risen, the whole sur.
rounding country being placed under
contribution for provender and drink.
When a week had elapsed, the arch
bishop relaxed his dignity and sent for
Count Wlnneburg.
1--WE will not walt for the Others"
he said. 'T have no desire to humiliate
you unnecessarily. Those who are here
will bear witness that you have apollo
gized, and so shall not insist on the
presence of the laggards, but will re-
eeive 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 archbish-
op," said Count Winneburg. But no,
no; I cannot accept such sacrifice.
The emperor showed me plainly the
enormity of my offense. In the pres
ence Of all insulted you, wretch that
am. and In the presence Of all shall I
abase myself"
But I do not seek your abasement,"
protested the archbishop. frowning.
"The more honor then to your benev-
olent nature" answered the count,
''and the more shameful would II be OF
me to take advantage Of 1t. AS | stood
short time since on the walls | saw
coming up the river the banners Of the
knight Of Ehrenburg. His castle is
the farthest removed from Treves. and
20 the others cannot surely delay long.
We will walt, my lord archbishop. un-
| til all are here. But thank you just
| as much for your generosity as IL /