The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-03-27

man inside the walls to those wall,
and that business was the battle tina
was raging, n had ragged since night
IaH, between the troops of King Loui
on one side under the grand constabl
OF France, II the troops of the Duk
OF Burgundy and his allies on tn
other. Paris might have been tina
strange city of slumber told Of by tn
wanderer In the Arabian tale, or tina
POPPED palace where the sleepin,
oeauty and her court lay waiting tn
coming of the hero. II Asmodeu
whisking his way on the wings Of tn
WIND with any astonished travelling
companion in tow had paused owe
Paris and unroofed 1t for the benefi
OF ms 1eliow voyager, most of the room
would have been found as empty as tn,
streets.
But there was one apot in the city
an open place by the river, between a,
ancient gate and the church Of the Ce,
lestins-which was alive and busy will
a strange activity Of its own. It wa
empty enough and the windows of 1t,
houses stared ~vacantly upon Its empti.
ness, but there were two men in nos
SbdAiAuilly WHO NaQ peel
toiling hard at a singular piece OF work
Ihey were putting the finishing touche,
TO the erection of a tall, gauNt gallow,
with Its steps and platform, which oc.
cupled a space midway between tn,
gateway and the grey old Goth,
cnurch. In curious contrast to the sin,
lister grfmness cf the gibbet, there ros,
OPPOSITE tot on the side of the churcl
a dals, richly draped with royal velvet
spangled with ieur-de-lh
ana brave with armourial bearings.
Inc two men who were working q:
the gallows having finished their lob
out into the open space ant
stretched themselves. One was q tall
thih, grave, poplar-tree Of a man, clat
IN sad-colored clothes and conspicuou
Tor a long rosary Of enormous bead
which he carried around his neck anl
winch from time to time he HANDLED
with os%tentatious sanctimony. Tn,
other was as complete a contrast to hi,
companion as could be desired by thu
humorous painter. He was a plump
spry little fellow, brightly dressed and
pupbing owe with merry, roguisl
spirits. which formed the most fantasia,
Toll to the righteousness Of his fellow
worker. ANY good citizen Of Paris
arising belated. If any such there MAJ
nave been. and hurrying TO the walls II
Know how things went for the king'iI
cause, would have recognized readily,
enough in these two strange oppositej
or the most dreaded Of thu
inyrmidons of Tristan l'Hermite, no lesll
his two chief hangmen, Trois
and Petit-Jean. Trois-Echelle
was the long, cadaverous hangmanII
was the stout, droll hang.
man, but when it came to a push ant
pinch, both were hangmen and huns
IN the same manner, If not with thu
same P%etit-Jean pulled 4,
dagon of wine from under the platform
Of the gallows, lifted it to his lips
trained a mighty draught, sighed witt
and held out the bottu
to his brother craftsman.
Drink n be merry"
Trois-Echelles. making gestures a
s~rotestatiorf with his head but takins
me bottle with his HAND none the less
rev a deep daught from Its throttle
IND sighed as sadly as his friend sighed
Il viii drink but I cannot be merry
WHAT'S the good of building a nobIt
If nobody looks at It? On,
night as well be building on a church.'
All Paris is on the walls watchin,,
he battle. Lucky Parish"
Trois-Echelles laughed ill-humoredly
Not so lucky If we don't win tn,
Petit-Jean was complacent.
Whichever wins will need us to hans
he losers. Look at the bright side
man,"
Trois-Echelles fumbled his bead
'urtively.
I've lost heart, I tell you. I haven't
Hanged a man for a week"
AS he mourned over this melanchol,
etrospect, the door Of a little hous
lard by the church opened and an Oh
woman, propping herself on a crutcl
tick. came hobbling slowly across TIT
pen space towards the church. Petit
can knew her well enough, for the,
9th lodged In the same. house and botl
N the same, floor of 9attics. He knew
was ,the mother Sof the Creates
capegrace in au,Paris,:a rascal tname{
Villot, who had disappeared
heaven alone knew where, to the Oh
adys great despair. He saluted heI
'ood humoredly.
Good morrow to your nightcap
Mother: Have you found your los
Mother villon shook her head wist.
ully.
They say he is banished, but he ha,
""
Trois-Echelles stopped fumbling hi
and advanced toards her, en-
ending his hand.
"Give it. to me to spend on massesr
Q asked sanct1moniousIy.
Peut-Jean danced between them.
Lend 1t to me for drink money" h
rged. r
Continued Next Weekly
PLAY.