Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-12-27
If | Were King
JUSTIN HUNTLY MCCARTHY
NsENNss|f(NIg
Copyright. 1901. by Robert Howard Russell

"a AlONlACA ny al dNlClCu zap BlO-
.tesquely adorned with a cocks feather.
In his leathern belt a small vellum
bound book of verses kept company
with a dagger. For all his whimsical
appearance the kings keen eyes could
note a something gallant in the car
riage Of the scamp, could spy out quail
tiles Of manhood beneath the battered
bravery. He poised for a moment on
the threshold in a fantastic attitude OF
saiutation ere he slammed the door
behind him and strobe forward TO meet
his friends.
"Well, Hearts of Gold, how are ye?"
he cried joyously as he advanced with
head thrown back n open hands ex-
tended. Did We miss me, lads; did We
miss me, lasses?"
Abbess Huguette was at his side in
an instant. with her arms about his
neck fondling him and fawning upon
him. Surely 1 missed you,' she Wills
pered. Where have you been, little
monkey?"
Master Francois looked at her for a
moment with q curious pity. Then
gently extricating himself from her
embrace he called out, "Give me a wash
of wine for my throat's parched with
piping"
Every man thrust his own mug
towards Master Francois, beseeching
hin to drink Of It, but he waved them
all aside imperially. Nay, l will have
my own he said. "Have we no land
lord here? Master Robin, come hither."
Robin Turgis, who had kept apart up
to now, surveying the newcomer with
no excess Of favor. moved slowly for
ward with his thumbs in his girdle and
q sour smile on his fat cheeks. Master
Francois addressed him sternly, witch
ing as he did SO the landlords greasy
cap from his pate and sending 1t flying
down the room. why do you not sa-
Lutte gentry when they honor our pot
house? A mug OF your best Beaune,
Master Beggar-maker, to drink damna-
ton to the Burgundians."
Robin Tursis made no motion to
obey, but his small eyes seemed to
grow smaller as they stared. "What
color has money nowadays, Master
Francois?" he asked doggedly. In a
moment the brown, dirty hand of the
poet was clapped to his dagger and
there was something Of a wolfish snarl
in his voice as he answered menacing-
ly, THE color of blood sometimes" But
the landlord, unabashed and undis-
mayed, stood his ground.
None Of your staggering, Master
Francois" he said sturdily. There is
such a thing as a king in France and
that kings name is writ fair on his
coinage. Show me a Louis XI. and l
will how you my Beaune Wine"
The face Of Master Francois flushed
under its CRIME, and he fiddled at his
dagger ~nervously, as n uncertain
whether to laugh or cry at the dilemma
which confronted him. Huguette and
Montigny alike had dipped their hands
into their pouches for money to pay
the poets score when to the amaze
ment OF Tristan the king fOrestalled
their kindnesses. Rising to his feet
with C%reditable alacrity he advanced
towards Master Francois and saluted
him with a gracious wave of the hand.
"Wil you let me be of some small
service to you" he began politely, and
as Villon turned to stare at him in
surprise he continued: "Will o
honor me by drinking that Beaune wine
our host brags Of at my ~eXpense?"
Villon's astonshment had not In
nervedshis clutch at opportunity. Here
a god out Of a machine, proffering
cool liquor TO dry outlets. Master Fran
co.'s gave back the ~salutation with a
mien of splendid condescension while
the rest Of the company glared at the
burgess who thus thrust himself upon
them, and Tristan, Cursing the king for
his temerity, felt for a hidden dagger.
- Nillon's ~patronizing wave of the hand
was magnificent In its ~effrontery, and
his WORDS matched his gesture nobly.
You are a civil stranger, and / will
far honor you" Louis bowed. II
left my purse under my pillow this
morning. roar Of laughter saluted
the ancient jape-"and this ungentle
fellow denies me credit. How rarely
we meet with an ale-draper who is also
a gentleman"
With an unmoved countenance Louis
listened to Villon's words. yet the sale
of a thing so noble ought to beget a
kind of nobility in the vendor" he said
with great gravity; then turning TO
Turgis, whose mouth was gaping
this colloquy, he bade him bring q
flagon Of his best, and as he did so he
rendered him a silver coin for which
Robin extended his fat fingers-and ex-
tended them too late. For at the sight
Of the silver the eyes of Master Fran
co.'s had glistened, and his lean, brown
hand, swift and agile as a hawk, had
swooped between the king and the pub
lican, n had secured the coin, which
he promptly held NJ and surveyed in
an apparent ecstasy of admiration.
rs this the good kings counter2" he
asked, and as he did so he plucked off
his shabby bonnet and paid the exalted
a profound obeisance. We'll, God
bless his majesty, say ], for 1 owe him
present liberty. There was a gaol-
when he came to Paris, and as
| happened TO be in gaol at the time
an error of the law"-here he
paused to leer knowingly at his COM
rades, who yelled commendation-"they
were good enough to kick me into the
free air. Will you add to your kind
ness, old northumberland here Master
Francois spun round and solemnly sa-
his unknown Internationally al
me to guard and cherish this
Of our dear monarch in memory
Of this notable event?"
Louis fortitude could not prevent
him from making something of a wry
as he hastily answered, by all
MEANS He beckoned discreetly to
Turgis, who, making a wide cir
cle round Master Francois, stole to the
King side, received from him another
coin and fastened away to bring the
drink it paid for.
From his corner Tristan surveyed the
with a grim enjoyment. Mas
-er Villon, Master Villon," he muir
to himself, "you'll be sorry for
his, very sorry indeed And in his
minds eye he transferred the fantastic
figure, p~osturing and grimacing before
Louis, to the end of a long rope hang
ng from a high gallows. Master Fran
cois, ignorant OF the immediate irony
IF existence, waited a kiss airily from
tips of his fingers to his patron.
are a very obliging old gentle
he said ~approvingly.
Louis frowned slightly. "You harp
IN my age, SIR he said. "Yet you are
no chicken" This mild reproof
to irritate Villon's friends more