Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-10-21

1t was truly a stately sight and one
well worth the seeing, for there was a
table $50 feet in length, stretching al
most from one end of the great apart
ment to the other, and at this table sat
full 200 men at arms whom at once
reco.nized as the warlike band which
I had seen in the underground chapel
of the monastery and who We're now
clad and accoutered as l had beheld
them on the former occasion.
what, hor' thundered in a voice
which Immediately procured silence.
Base dogs and contumacious caitiffs,
what mean we by this orgy? What
warrant had We for this outbreak, and
why have ye disobeyed my orders,
which were that the rising should be
postponed? Tell me, moreover, why l
should not cause to be cut off the heads
of the ringleaders of ye!"
At this the assemblage seemed some
what abashed, but burly halberdier
rose up from his seat and deliberately
snapped his thumb and finger at me.
II snap my fingers at thee" said he.
1t was unnecessary for him to say so,
as every one had seen him do 1t. l
went to draw my sword that might
perforate him when suddenly became
almost paralyzed by observing upon
raised seat some way down on the 9TH
er side of the table no less parsonage
than Brother Ambrose, the eX-monk
and erstwhile captain Of the band OF
thieves.
"Seize that man." l cried, pointing
him out, for by our Lady, he is the
same friar who escaped the flames yes
treen, besides being the captain of as
vile pack of robbers as ever stole.
Pardy, seize him, tell ye."
Hold thy tongue. thou scurvy i'm
postor." cried Brother Ambrose coolly,
Mt the same time rising from his seat.
"Thou hast but short while to live,
and thou wilt best improve it by listen
ing to what now say to thee
The faces of all the old warriors
looked ominous. felt somewhat un-
easy and glanced toward the entrance,
but found that a score OF them had
risen and lined themselves in front or
It, so that escape was impossible IN
that direction The renegade monk
now continued:
"Thou dost assert that thou art IL
moteo, the of the noble Arnolfo. Now,
by my faith how may that well be
when | myself, as all these stout men
Mt arms can vouch. am Prince Timoteo,
the last Of the Pazzi, and at present, by
Gods grace ruler Of this our goodly
principality of Firenzalino? Ha. Thou
dost start: but let the CALLED Jade
vince. rs Boccaccio says. Listen to me.
and will tell thee the tale. as nave
already told it to these trusty warriors.
nv vassals. 4 score of years ago my
sire, the noble Prince Arnolfo. was
minded. in order to preserve me from
the Vaccinations of mine enemies. to
let me down, by means Of long. stout
rope. into the outside world. Nathless.
when | had come down matter of a
hundred feet or more | repented me
of it and did crawl into that level or
the copper mine, the mouth Of which
doth open upon the face OF the cliff.
Being come by this means back into
my native land had shame to appear
before my sire, and from that time tc
this have led wandering life. seeing
all things, enjoying all things and prov
ing all things. that in the end might
be schooled and qualified for the posi-
ton " which knew some day would
attain. That | speak sooth hath been
shown by the old graybeard Jacopo,
who hath recognized and acknowledg'
ed me and who hath ut the same time
denounced thee as an impostor ana.
moreover, as foreigner. who. by MS
innocent aid hath come into this. our
land, from the lower world Of heretics
and villains in opposition to the laws
made and crowded. Wherefore, | say
| to thee that thou shalt die. Seize him,
my valiant minions, and, by our Lady,
let his shrift be short one.'
drew my sword, and as they closed
around me I prepared to sell my life
as dearly as possible. Then all Mt once
there sounded most Internal ana
deafening racket in the vestibulc. and
into the banquet hall like a thunder
bolt, trampling down like wheat those
who stood in his way, burst my great
black charger Aldebaran, with lppolita
upon his back, upright and proud and
yengeful as the goddess Cynthia. In
moment they were by my side, and
sprang into the saddle, took the reins
and drove the infuriated and magniii-
cent beast alongside the table down
the whole length of the banquet hail.
crushing and trampling upon all who
could not get out Of the way. Then
turned and came up again on the other
side, for l wished to be impartial In
the matter, and a great part of the Ia
BILE was upset by the rush OF the
knights away from me, and the hall
was filled with howlings and maledic-