The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-22

A NEST OF NINNIEs.
"A song. sweet JacquelineI''
'No, no"
Observation-Disclosures
mo more, 1 say"
A Jingle OF tinkling bells mingled with the
squeak Of viola; the outlaws OF rompish
company blended with the tuneless chanting
OF discordant MINISTRIES. and the gray par
rot in its golden cage. suspended from one
OF the oaken beams of the ceiling, shook its
feathers for the twentieth time and
screamed vindlctively at the roguish band.
Jingle, jingle, went the merry bells;
squeak, squeak. the frightened strings be-
meath the persistent scraping of the rosined
bow On his throne in Fools Hall. Tri-
boulet, the kings hunchback, leaned COM
placently back. his eyes bent upon a tapes
try but newly hung in that room. the meet
ing place OF testers. buffoons and versiiers.
I'VE appeal to Triboulet-''
'niboulet!"
A girls silvery laugh rang out
''TribouletI''
Again the derisive musical tones.
Upon his chair OF state. the dwarf did not
answer; professed not to hear. BY the un-
certain glimmer of torches and the Pickering
glow OF the fire he was engaged in tracing
ure of the composition wrought in threads
OF silk-Momus. fool by patent to Jove.
thrust from Olympus and greeting the
earth-born with a great grin.
IAN excellent lkeness!" muttered Tri-
boulet- "a very pretty likeness!' he con-
timed, swelling with pride.
And truly it was said that sprightly la
dies. working between love and pleasure
ttx~,oc Hwarx fro q rrf fool fnr fhair
conception OF the NEUROLOGICAL buffoon. re-
producing Triboulet's great head; his
mouth. proportionately large; his protrud-
ing eyes; his bowed back. short, twisted legs
and long. muscular arms; and his nose far
larger than that of Francis, who otherwise
had the largest nose in the kingdom.
But how could they depict the meanness
Of soul that dwelt in that extraordinary
shell? The blithesome tapestry-makers. al
belt adopts in form. grace and harmony.
could not touch the subjectiveness of ex-
istence. Thus it was a double pleasure for
Triboulet to see, limned in well-chosen hues.
his form. the crookedness of which he was
as proud OF as any courtier OF his SYM
metry and beauty, the while his dark, vain
soul lay concealed behind the mask of mer-
ry deformity and laughing monstrosity.
would your Majesty like to command
me?"
The hooking feminine voice recalled Tri-
boulet from his pleasing contemplation.
mo, nor he answered sullenly, and con-
descended to turn his glance upon the as
semblage.
Over a goodly gathering of testers, buff
foons, poets, and even philosophers, he
Iorded it, holding his head a high his
hump would permit and conscious of his
own place in the esteem of the king. Not
long ago the monarch had laughed and ap-
plauded when Triboulet had twisted his
features into a horrid grimace, and since
then the dwarfs little heart had expanded
with such arrogance, II seemed to him he
was almost Francis himself as he sat there
on Francis sometime throne; and these
Sir Jollys were his subjects all-Marot.
Caillette, Brusquet, Vilot, and the lesser
lights, testers of barons, cardinals and even
bishopsi Rabelais. too, that poor. dissolute
devil OF a writer. learned as Homer. british
as Homer's swile-all subjects Of his. the
king OF testers, save one; one whom he
eyed with certain fear and wonder; fear,
because she was woman-and Triboulet
esteemed all the sex but highly perfected
deviis"-and wonder. at finding her different
from and more perplexing than even the
rest OF her kind!
"Jacqueline,-"
Now she perched on one corner OF the
table, and her face had a witch-like love-
fiiess, as though borrowing it's pallor and
beauty from the moon. source OF all magic
and necromancy. Her eyes shone with such
luster that, seeking their hue, they held
the observers gaze In hooking languor and
cheated the inquisitive coxcomb of his
quest, the while the disdainful lips curved
laughingly and so bewildered him, he for
got the customary phrase and stood staring
like a nonny Her footstep fell so light
sae was so agile and quick. the superstitious
dwarf swore she was but creature Of the
night and held surreptitious meetings with
all the familiar spirits OF demonology. As
she never denied the uncanny imputation.
but only displayed her small white teeth
maliciously by way OF answer Triboulet felt
assured he was right and crossed himself
religiously whenever she gazed too fxedly
at him.
keeping with her character, yellow being
the predominating color. To the fanciful
adornment OF the gown her 1.-THE ngure lent
itself readily while her rebellious curls
were well adapted to that badge of her
servitude, the jaunty cap that crowned their
waving abundance.
In especial disdain, from her position upon
the corner OF the table, her glance wan
dered down the board and rested on Ra-
beiais the gourmand, before whom were an
empty trencher and tankard. The priest
MISUNDERSTANDING who affected the COM
pany of testers and liked not little the
Gospitality of Fools Hall, which adjoined
the pastry branch OF the castle kitchen and
was not far removed from the wine butts.
had Just unrolled bundle of manuscript.
All daubed with trencher grease and tank
ard drippings. and was about TO read aloud
the strange adventures of one Pantagruel.
fell forward on the table, almost In the
wooden platter, and the papers fiuttered to
"Put him outr commanded Triboulet
from his high place.
But she OF the J1unty cap sprans from the
table.
How wise are your Majesty's decreesi"
she said mockingly. with her glance upon
the dwarf. He shifted -uneasily In the
throne. sYou should have put him out be-
fore. But now''-turning contemptuously to
the poor figure of the great mamie s
harmless. His silence is golden; his speech
was dross."
s.And yet" answered Marot, thoughtfully.
''the king esteems him; the KING VINO Is at
once scholar, poet. wit. soldier
s.SoIdierl'' she exclaimed. quickly when
he can not conquer Italy and regain his
heritager'
..Cannot?" ventured Triboulet. mindful of
the dignity OF his royal master. why
not?
because the women would conquer him.
Nay: the king prefers the blue eyes of
France" spoke up the cardinals fool. he OF
the viola