The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-06-22
finding himself once more in an up
right posture.

finding himself once more in an up
right posture.
Count of Winneburg," said the en-
peror slowly. st is alleged that upon
the occasion of the last meeting of the
council of state for the Moselle valley
you, In presence Of the mobiles there as
$embled. cast slight upon your over
lord. the archbishop of Treves. Do you
question the statementW The count
cleared his throat several times, which
in the stiffness of that vaulted room
sounded like the distant booming of
cannon.
IF to cast the archbishop half the
distance of this room is TO cast slight
upon him, did SO, your majesty"
There was simultaneous ripple Of
laughter at this, instantly suppressed
when the searching eye of the emperor
swept the room.
"Sir count" said the emperor severe
~, 'the particulars OF your outrage are
not required cf you. only your admis-
sion thereof. Hear, then. my COM
mands Retake yourself to your castle
Of Winneburg and hold yourself there
in readiness to proceed to Treves on q
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 visibly relaxing, 81
can promise that your overload will not
hold this incident against you. Such,
l understand, is your intention, my
lord archbishop and the emperor
turned toward the prince of Treves.
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 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-
quette 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 a court. In
truth, | take it as friendly act, for
am sure the valiant count never turns
his back upon a foe," which imperial
witticisln was we'll received, for the
sayings of an emperor rarely lack ap-
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-
ceiving the summons of the archbishop
to come to Treves on the first day of
the following month and make his
apology, the archbishop. with charac-
teristic penuriousness, leaving the in
viting of the Is 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 to
summon the whole council, the arch
bishop added to his message that he
would refuse to receive the apology IL
any of the mobiles were absent.
Winneburg sent messengers, first to
Beilstein. asking him to attend at
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
that before a complete quorum was
present half of the month would be
gone and with 1t most of the arch
bishops provender, for his lordship,
according to 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 800 foot soldiers. At first the off,
GERS of the archbishop thought that an
invasion was contemplated, but Win
neburg suavely explained that Il q