Evening journal., 1902-03-31

Beneath The windows, from which
there tloated scraps of, earnest cOnver.
sation. moved restlessly up and down
the writ server.
His entrance was barred by two
sturdy men-at-arms. and his majesty
was already in the castle, having come
in disguised.
Slowly the great clock in the hal
licked the minutes: the hands pointed
to the passing of time. 1t is yet lack
ing ten minutes of the dread hou1
when the king shall give audience to
the assembled mobiles and men-in-wait-
ing.
On the outside is the clamorine
throng; palms are reaching upward
imploring aims, and anon the Duke
of Dover Q.ittle Frank throws hand
fuis of coin to the eager and expectant
rabble. These showers cause a scram-
bic. but in an instant every coin is
gathered from the mud. and palms are
reaching out for more.
Within the corridor are the knights
and yoeman "By're Lady" exclaims a
yokel. 1t beseemeth me this kingdom
is in dire straights, and unless his
majesty shall abdicate we shall be sore
! beset.
AT these words a knight strides
! from the throng, his countenance suf-
fused with rage. Hireling," he cries,
another word and by the mass, I'll
run thee through, and split thee like
a Delaware shadl Know ye not that
the divine right of kings was establish
ed centuries before thou vert born
1t i'll beseemeth thee to smite the
hand that giveth thee bread"
He is a usurper," exclaimed the
yokel
YEA" answered the knight, and so
was Richard Plantaganet of England,
yea. and Richard Quay Of Pennsylv-
ania and Richard Croker, of New
York: and now ye would question the
title of the hand that feedeth thee!
Begone! To the tower with him!"
The scene was interrupted by a
blare of trumpets, the heralds were ap-
preaching Each is arrayed in a gol-
den tunic falling over trunks of silver.
There is Sir Theodore Townsend the
chronicler: Sir George Stengle, knight
of the Star; Andrew Bateman, gentle
man-in-waiting Sir Scott Vernon,
knight of the paste-pot, and George
Roberts. lord of the garbage can.
AS they approach they blow a shrill
blast that resounds through the hall.
The master-at-armst throws the curtains
aside and in a loud voice announces,
His Majesty, The King God save
King Edward"
A breathless silence fills the room,
broken only by the clink of gold as the
Kings almoner passes the pledges of
loyalty to eager outstretched hands.
The King takes his seat under a
raised dias. above which flames the
blazing gas torches. The courtiers
bow to the floor and await the royal
command.
The King speaks: What Is there
amiss that your King can redress?'
Instantly stout gentleman steps
forward. His eye is sad, and his un-
kemDt beard starts from his face like
the bristles of a donkey's tail.
He falls ON one knee, and begins, 20
| Edward. my Kingl Have / not always
served thee? Has not my voice been
ever ready to sound forth thy praises
And now ! am to be banished from my
| Dukedom for all my loyalty. Did
not press thy bill against the Pennsyl-
vania railroad-at least till / found II
convenient to change my mind?'
People bent forward to see the sup
plant: it was the Duke OF Milford
Sir John Abbott.
The Kings lips curled in scorn. as
he muttered between his teeth, "thC
pork barrel is empty for thee Then
raising his voice he cried, Away will
himl" and the fallen noble was hustled
LSut the door.
y Nov, by my troth!" said the King
l"theres a death's-head at this feast
Fetch hither my jester Instantly
was heard the Jingle of bells as Calel
dressed in motley sprang into thu
presence. He threw himself before th'
King ana began this song.
"To borrow, beg;
To buy or steal;
| Do this to earn
3 Another meal
To lie or cheat
3 Do anything,
[ To please our Lord,
And gracious King!
While there's a coin
b. Left in the till,
s Wen work our gracious
4 Sovereign's will.
o Our loyalty
+ Shall never fail.
8 Inside. or out
n The county jail"
k The Jester ceased and on the race
e of the multitude was rapt expression
n as of martyrs ready to so to the stah
e for the price.
e A moment thus. and then thel
strobe forward a sweet youth wit
elloclks perfumed, carrying a bonnet I
Ie male buff OF rare workmanship-a pre-
I'd ent from the King. Il was Sir Simeo
L chamberlain Of the ladies in waiting
"Oh. sir" he cries, Il crave or
: boon: grant it me this, and d
4 happy"