The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-04-10

IuISly SIlSlll CIoNur dlo " SoLIiS lew
Sear-long seconds the silence brooded
over the place. The five wantons on
he fringe of the crowd caught at each
,thers' fingers and gasped. Was that
splendid gentleman their old friend,
Francois Villon? AS for the five rogues
Who knew the secret, they had begun to
augh at Villon's first words. but he
aughter dried upon their lips as he
ended.
From the church suddenly the exult-
ant music Of the TIE Deum ceased to
swell and in it's place crept forth upon
he silent air the awful notes of a Mis-
srere. The king had been at the ear or
he organist that morning and lac
planned his effects well. The melan-
:hody music stirred the people to II
nurs of surprise and protest.
Guy Tabarie. fiourishing his notched
md bloody sword, thrust his round
aody forward.
What jestAis this ?" he asked,
And Villon answered him.:
"Such a jest as I would rather weep
tver tomorrow than laugh at today. For
he pitcher breaks at the wells mouth
his very morning. Messire Noel, to
tou / surrender my sword. like to be-
teve that 1t has scraped a little shame
rom It's masters coat"
He drew his great war-sword and
ld1uSQ II 10 NOel iS JOYS, VIM, " oaaC
sf the few times in his life, astonished
INTO forgetfulness of courtly etiquette
lad been staring, open-noutned. at the
astonishing revelation h a had just
teen made to him. The CLEAN Of the
yar-worn weapon recalled him to him.
telf and he took it from the hands OF
he doomed man with a grave courtesy
which meant something more than the
ulfillmenr of a formal duty. Noel lie
fotyc woo q SHJS{ar- ard hic ava9 maid
iomage to a brave man.
Villon turned to Tristan.
Master Tristan, perform your Office
this self-doomed felon."
With great alacrity, Tristan moved
pwards Villon, out his motion was met
~ such angry mur1nurs from the
crowd, and not from the crowd alone,
yut from the soldiers who had followed
Villon to victory, that even he shrank
instinctively before its menace
There came cries from a Thousand
hroats, calling on the king to pardon
he grand constable, calling upon those
who loved him to rescue him.
King, is this justice?" Rene de Mon
1gny shouted, and his question evoked
{ roar of approval from the multitude.
The kings keen glance surveyed the
tcene with no sign of fear and no sign
VI annoyance. Leaning easily pon the
.ailing. as a man might lean who sur
Keyed an amusing farce or interlude,
addressed the crowd:
Good people of Paris, you have heard
grand constable pronounce SEN
ence upon a criminal. Has Master
Francois Villon any reason to urge, any
,lea to offer, why the sentence should
lot be carried out?"
Villon waved his hand disdainfully.
Il have nothing whatever to say, sire.
Francois Villon must die. It's bad luck
him, but he has had worse luck and
business"
AS he spoke he drew near to the line
II Scottish archers and two Of their !
lumber laid hands on him, one at either
Tide. The sight of their hero thus in
he very clutch of justice spurred the
to renewed evaporation.
Angry demands for justice, for mercy,
or rescue, shook the uinmer air. I'm
.rmed citizens broke into an armorer's
hop hard by, and, selling whatever
they could lay their hands
lpon, fiourished them aloft in signif-
ant assertion thai their words were
u the ~prefaces to deeds. Again Ia
bull voice beloved to those
bout him!
kings must listen to the voice of
people. Shall the man who led us
o victory die a rogue's death?"
And again his thunder heralded q
torn. Soldiers and citizens alike
prepared to rescue Villon by
orce from the hands Of his enemies.
The Scottish archers with levelled ar
luebusses formed a line in front Of the |
lals and every courtier drew his sword.
the king seemed unmoved, only
king seemed entertained by the
phirlwind he had reaped. He asked
quite quietly:
Does Master Francois Villon ask his
ife?"
Villon shook his head.
mo. sire. Master Francois Villon
and Master Francois pays"
AS he spoke the angry people, swaying
Ike a sea, shouted new shouts Of res
cue. clamored new cries for pardon.
Olivier. green-pale, whispered eagerly
20 the king:
Sire, the rogues are in a damnable
a you not gain time, post
zone, promise?'
Louis answered imperturbably:
Are the fools so fond of the fellow?
know a way to stop them shouting"
As he spoke. for the first time he rose
rom his seat, a frail, small. blnck fig
ire, to dominate those raging waves of |
humanity, while Olivier, holding up his
to order silence, shouted:
Peace, peace! The king would speak
With his good people of Paris.'
Lie NOISY voices p SLOWLY into
silence to hear what the king said.
Good people of Paris, l am no tyrant.
Sut a king Is the father of his people,
Ind his ears car never be shut against
cries Of his children. This mans
ife is forfeit. Which of you will re- |
leem it? If there be one among you
.eady to take Master Francois Villon's
on yonder gibbet, let that one
speak now"
There was a brief silence as the mob
to realize the meaning of the
words. a silence broken by angry
What does he mean? Take his place |
sn the gallows! A trick-a trick!"
Louis grinned ~complacently.
mo trick, friends, but a simple bar
Here is a man condemned to
Heath; here is an idle gibbet. If We
prize him so highly, let one among you
lie for him. 1t has been said by the
wise apostle: Greater love hath no man
this, that a man lay down his life
Tor his friends On my word as a king,
when such Il splendid volunteer is
swinging at the end Of yonder rope that