The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-04-10

HIS "oioS lell ike tne Dedl VI d
passing bell upon the ears of an abso-
;utely silent crowd and for some few
Vear-long second the silence brooded
over the place. The five wantons on
he fringe Of the crowd caught at each
,thers' fingers M 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 the
aughter dried upon their lips as he
ended.
From the church suddenly the eXult-
Int 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-
.rere. The king had been at the ear Of
he organist that morning and had
planned his effects we'll. The melan-
:hody music stirred the people tc muir
nurs of surprise and protest.
Guy Tabarie, flourishing his notched
lnd bloody sword, thrust his round
,ody forward.
What Jest Is this?" he asked.
And Villon answered him.:
"Such a jest as I would rather weep
Wer tomorrow than laugh at today. For
he pitcher breaks at the wells mouth
his very morning. Messire Noel, to
yOu I surrender my sword. like to be-
4 AASlS - AAto WI ~
rom its masters coat"
He drew his great war-sword and
landed it to Noel lie Jolys, who, for one
If the few times in his life, ~astonished
nto forgetfulness of courtly etiquette
lad been staring, open-moutned, at the
astonishing revelation that had just
>een made to him. The CLEAN Of the
par-Worn weapon recalled him TIC him.
Ielf and he took 1t from the hands of
no 1nnn,n1 !, with q PRO 10 rnIrtaSyr
which meant something more tina the
eulfillment Of a formal duty. Noel lie
Tolys was a soldier and his eyes paid
homage to a brave man.
Villon turned to Tristan.
Master Tristan, perform your office
lpon this s~elf-doomed felon.'
With great alacrity, Tristan moved
owards Villon, but his motion was met
~ such angry murmurs from the
)ut from the soldiers who a followed
Tillon to victory, thai even he shrank
Jack instinctively before it's n
There came cries from q 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
igny shouted, and his question evoked
' roar Of approval from the multitude.
The kings keen glance surveyed the
lcene with no sign of fear and no sign
VI annoyance. Leaning easily upon the
'ailing, as a mar might lean who sur
Keyed an amusing farce or interlude,
he addressed the crowd:
Good people of Paris, you have heard
'our 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 d~isdainfully.
Il have nothing whatever to say, sire.
francois Villon must die. It's bad luck
or him, but he has had worse luck and
to-to business"
AS he spoke he drew near to the line
VI Scottish archers and two of their
lumber laid hands on him, n at either
Tide. The sight Of their hero thus In
he very clutch of justice spurred the
multitude to renewed evaporation.
Angry demands for justice, for mercy,
or rescue, shook the summer air. I'm
trmed citizens broke into an armorer's
hop hard by, and, Selling whatever
Weapons they could lay their hands
lpon, fourished them aloft in signifi-
ant assertion that their words were
,ut the Drefaces to deeds. Again Ia
>arie's bull voice beloved to those
Lbout him!
Kings must listen to the voice of
he people. Shall the man who led US
% victory die a rogue's death?'
And again his thunder 'heralded a
torn. Soldiers and citizens alike
,eemed prepared to rescue Villon by
orce from the hands Of his enemies
The Scottish archers with levelled ar
~IuebuSses formed q line in front of the
tais and every courtier drew his sword
only the king seemed unmoved, only
he king seemed entertained by the
Hhirlwind he had reaped. He asked
lutte quietly:
Does Master Francois Villon ask his
ife?'
Villon shook his head.
mo, sire. Master Francois Villor
played n Master Francois pays"
AS he spoke the angry people, sWayina
ike a sea, shouted new shouts Of res.
cue, clamored new cries for pardon
olivier, green-pale, whispered eagerly
% the king:
Sire, the rogues are In a dannabls
:emper. Can you not gain time, post.
zone, Dromise?"
Louis answered i1nperturbably:
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, black fig.
Ire, to dominate those raging waves o.
humanity, while Olivier, holding UP hi.
hand to order silence, shouted:
peace, peace! The king would speal
With his good people of Paris
The noisy voices dropped slowly int
silence to hear what the king said.
Good people of Paris, I am no tyrant
Sut a king is the father of his people
Ind his ears can never be shut agains
he cries Of his children! This mans
life is forfeit. Which of you will re
1eem it? If there be one among yol
.eady to take Master Francois Villon'
place on yonder gibbet, let tina on
speak now"
There was q brief Silence as the mo-
began to realize the meaning Of til,
sing's words, a silence broken by angr,
cries.
What does he mean? Take his plac
IN the gallows! A trick-a trick"
Louis grinned complacently.
N trick, friends, but a simple bar
gain. Here is a maj condemned L
Heath; here is an idle gibbet. If y
prize him so highly, let one anon 70,
lie for him. 1t has been said by tn
wise apostle: Greater love hath no ma;
than this, that a man lay down his If
for his friends On my word as a king
when such a splendid volunteer i
swinging at the end Of yonder rope tina
moment Master Francois Villon sha1
go free. Come. who will slip neck /
moose for the sake Of a herc?"
Villon protested haughtily:
SNl man shall die f6r. mo ~ So