Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-01-01
Joyous applause greeted his speech

Joyous applause greeted his speech
Jehan lie Loup, selling upon an empty
barrel that stood in a corner, trundlec
1T forward, and standing 1T on one enc
invited Villon to take his seat upon this
Whimsical throne. The poet sprans
lightly upon the perch thus provided
for him, and sat there with his legs
crossed, holding his long sword against
his knees with both hands. The men
and women gathered about him. like
1 bees about rose bush. Huguette
placed herself on stool at his feet
Jehanneton flung herself full length on
the ground and stared up into his face
Robin Turgis straddled bench at
some distance and grinned. Louis
seized the opportunity to whisper be-
! hind his hand to Tristan that he found
the fellow, diverting, to which Tristan
! replied gruftly that he for his part
1 found him a dull ape. Louis might
have argued the point but his interest
was claimed by the voice of Villon,
who, being comfortably installed on his
wine casll, was beginning his promised
I narrative a philosopher would have
! discerned something pathetic in the
J picture of the ragged rascal thus Cir
died about with blaclsguards of baser
/ sort, his lean body quivering, his eager
face alive with emotions, mockery on
his lips and sorrow in his eyes: to the
sardonic king 1T afforded nothing more
and nothing less than. amusement.
You must know dear devils and
ever beautiful Blowers. that three
days ago, when l was lying in the ken
mel, which is my humor, and staring at
{, the sky, which is my recreation-I
| speak, honest citizen, but in parable or
allegory, dear device with the school,
men-l saw between me and heaven the
face of a lady, the loveliest face ever
saw"
Here the poor Abbess, Indignation
| overcrowaing her borrowed mannish-
ness, began to snifile and to assert that
the speaker was a faithless pig, but
Villon, unheedng her whimpers, went
IN with his tale.
She was going to church-God
shield her-but she locked my way as
she passed, and though she saw me no
more than she saw the cobble-stone 1
stood ON, saw her once and forever.
We song chambers babble a deal of love-
out for the most part we know little or
nothing about 1t, and when it comes it
Knocks us silly. l was knocked so silly
.hat--well what do you think was the
silly thing | did?'
Villon turned his alert face to each
member of his audience, and his de-
!
eyes.
"EmDtied a can for oblivion" Mon
.igny suggested. Blanche was no less
practical.
kissed a wench for the same pur-
pose" she cried. The times that I've
been wooea out of my nalne."
picked the wonanf; pocket" Casin
Sholet limited, wagging his shock head
wisely, while Jehan lie Loup, with n
lideous leer, sniggered: Got near her
II the crowd and pnched her." and
suited the action 10 the word with fin
ger and thumb on l3lanche's plump
shoulder.
Master Francois dissipated all this
'ouguish philosophy with contemptu-
,us gesture.
La, la, Ia" he chirruped. "silller
han all these followed her into the
church."
The silence of establishment fell up
on the audience. Only Colin de Cay
aulX had sufficient presence of mind TO
formulate his amazement in pro-
onged whistle. Louis crossed himself
repeatedly under his gown. You are
not Il church goer sir?" he questioned
,ourly. Nillon answered him sweetiy.
NO. old Queernabs unless there's an
alms-b box to open or Il matter of gold
plate to pilfer." Guy Tabarie hurrieedly
Interrupted him with Il warming cry of
'Cave!" and a significant glance at the
strangers, but Villon derided his fears.
Nonsense" he cried. leaning for
ward and playfully Stamping Louis on
cutfin has Il friendly face and can take
joke. Can't you, old rabbit?"
Louis WINGED and then grinned rs
Tristan gasped in anger. Il thank
heaven | have a sense of humor," he
said, with sly glance at his compan-
ion. Nillon went on With his story.
We'll, l sprawled there in the dark,
with my knees on the cold ground, and
all the while the sound of her beauty
was sweet in my ears and the taste of
her beauty WAS salt on my lips, and tho
pain of her beauty WAS ssnaWing at my
oeart, and prayed that | ght see her
again"
At this point Huguette, who had
oeen following the narrative with IL fe-
line ferocitN, caught up Il wine jug and
made to throw ii ut the poets head but
was deNtcrouSly diSalmed by Guy Ia
barrie before the vessel had time to quit
ser fingers. Sulkily she pumped her
self down on her stool again. while Viii
ION, quite unconscious of the avelted
peril, ramblcd on dreanily.
And the incense tickled my nostIi,s
and the painted saints sneered at me-
and bits OF rhymes and bits of prayers
l.
were drunk with some new and delec-
table liquor. And then she Slipped out
and after her She took the holy wa
ter from my fingers
Nilon's voice sank reverently and
Huguette took advantage OF the pause.
Il wish it had Burned You TO the
BONE she interrupted spitefully. Mas
Ter Nillon shook his head.
1T burned deeper than that, believe
me. Outside. on Gods steps, stood Il
yellow haired, pink faced puppet who
greeted her and they ambled away to-
gether, on their heels. Presently they
came to a gateway and in slips my
quarry, and as she did so she turned
to her squire and | saw her face again
and lost ii, for the tears came into my
eyes" With q heavy sigh he turned to
Louis. Il suppose You wonder why l
talk like this, but when my hearts in
my mouth l must spit 1t out or it
chokes me-"
Il have learned 10 wonder at moth
ing, Louis answered sagely. Nillon
picked up the dropped thread of his
tale.
II saluted the gallant and begged to
know the lady's name. He took me for
n mailman, but he told me-
In second Huguette was on her legs
again and nesting her eager face close
to that of Nillon as She whispered coax
ingly:
What was the lady's name. dear
Erancois?"
Master Francois looked into her
watchful eyes With Il wise smile.
BE secret, sweet he lnummured. 1T
was her majesty, the queen A wild
roar of laughter from Villon's friends
greeted this sally, and the fury it
brought to Huguette's face. Louis, roy
ally angered, made as if to rise in pro-
test, but the heavy hand of Tristan fell