Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-19

1t is always a new wonder to the
most experienced that such a spectacle
can be given the aspect Of an enter
| tainment. yet here was the band bray
| ing as IL to gather spectators for a
mountebank's performance. and here
| were the people striving for the best
places. Jests were far easier to hear
than expressions of sympathy. though
these citizens OF Gredskov. bred under
an alier rule, had no knowledge OF pub
lie punishments for Justices sake. but
| only as the cruelties of an irresponsible
| tyrant.
The band ceased with rattle OF
brass, and the next instant Darrell was
| inside the line of soldiers. holding to
| his lips the pipes of Musef, from which
| there seemed to issue a shrill and lively
| tune The thing was so quickly done
that no one raised a hand to stop him
as he began to march with crazy Dig
nifty in the direction OF the musicians.
The crowd laughed. the soldiers waited
for an order, and the officers, seeing no
harm done, hesitated to give 1t.
you do not play so badly" said Oar
rell, lowering his pipe and addressing
is much more popular"
He waved his hand in the direction
of the crowd. which rewarded him
with cheers and laughter. The band
master turned an eye upon the colonel
| of the regiment. who had wheeled his
horse in that direction. He was a man
| of jovial aspect. and he seemed to be
| somewhat the worse for liquor. OAR
rell judged him TO be not avcrse to this
| comedy and was not deceived when
/ the officer, with great affectation of
wrath, waved his naked sword over the
| piper's head and then brought it down
with wide sweep to light. fiatwise. on
! the offenders back. 1t was not a very
safe trick. for the Circassian swords
are sharp as razors.
Upon my word" exclaimed the off,
Ger. observing that Darrell did not even
wink, you don't scare easilyr'
| 81 haven't sense enough" responded
Darrell. only the wise are afraid;
the others are soldiers"
~ ou mean that soldiers are fools? ?"
den lnded the officer. grasping this
sim lie jest with some difficulty and
unc lrtain whether he had got the right
of it.
Not those that wear swords" re-
sponded Darrell. ut is wise to order
other men TO fight; the folly is in obey
ing. And. by the way, that is a very
fine sword of yours"
what do you know about swords,
madmanT" demanded the officer.
'More than yourself" replied Darrell.
begging your eXcellency's pardon, for
| can do something with a sword that
you can't"
you are a boaster"' cried the colonel.
raising his weapon.
81 will prove my words" answered
Darrell. Car you play a tune upsn a
| swUrdT'
mo; nor any other man." retorted
the colonel
| 81 can play upon n sword as well as
on this pipe" answered Darrell IF
you don't believe me. lend me yours"
This cool proposition excited laughter
among the spectators who were near
enough TO hear IL and also considerable
interest, for IL seemed that the mailman
really meant TO execute some trick.
81 can't spare it." said the colonel
CURLY
'"This, then, viii answer" rejoined
Darrell, and, witA a movement swift as
cOnjuring, he snatched a sword from
the scabbard of a captain who had adj
vanced as If with some message for his
superior.
The man, utterly amazed and perhaps
alarmed, started back, and before he
had recovered himself Darrell had
raised the sword to his lips in the man,
ner Of a flute and was piping in way
that might have amazed higher type
OF audience. The colonel restrained the
enraged captain with a gesture and lis
tened with a drunken wonder that, in
less desperate circumstances, would
have afforded Darrell much amuse-
ment.
Suddenly the wretched prisoner,
swinging by the rope, uttered his first
cry, a long and pitiable scream. 1t was
what might have been foreseen; In
deed, Darrell had expected it earlier.
He turned, with an affectation of
wrath.
81 can't be interrupted in this wayr'
he cried, springing toward the tor
tured man.
1t is probable that every one expected
to see the supposed maniac still Kew
skis cry by plunging the sword into
his body. The colonel had time 20 cal
out:
Don't strike! Upon your own life
, And then. before his horse could re
spond to the spurs. he saw the crazed
musician leap up and sever with blow
the rope by which Kevski was sus