The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-03
- lNEAPOLIs JOURNAL.

strinS OF Titles long as my arm-an I'M
derling of the emperor while I''-closing
his great jaw drmly-"owe allegiance to
no man, or monarch, which Is the same
thing. Drink, lad; I'm pleased did not
kill YOU"
And T. laughed the PLEASANT, 'con-
gratulate myself you are still alive-for
the wine Is excellent!"
Still alive!' exclaimed the kings guest,
boisterously, altho a dark shadow crossed
foot. and my hide is as tough as I
"A boars?' tapping his chin with the
FOOLS head on his wand
"Ah, you will have your jest" retorted
the host of the occasion, good turedly.
It's bred In the bone. A quality for a
soldier. Next to courage is that fine sense
OF hunaor which makes man a bon cam
arade. Put down your craven image, lad;
you We're made to carry arms; not bau-
bles. Put it down. say. and touch glasses
with Louis Of Pfalz- Urfeld.''
"The bastard Of Hochfels!" exclaimed
the Jester, fixedly regarding the man
whose name was known thruout Europe
for his reckless bravery, his personal re-
sources and his indomitable pride or love
| Of freedom and independence, which
held him aloof from emperor or monarch,
and made him peer and leader among
| the many intractable spirits Of the Aus
trian country who had not yet bowed
| their necks to conquest; a soldier of
many battles, whose thick-walled fortress
| perched picturesquely in naid-air on a
steep mountain top, established his Sc
curity on all sides. a.. g..@ #
| "The same, my friend of the motley
continued, the other, not without COM
placency, observing the effect of his an
| nouncement on the Jester. -.
| HE who calls himself the free baron
Of Hochfels?" observed the fool, setting
down the glass from which he had mod
| erately partaken.
| Aye; man Of royal and peasant
blood" harshly answered the freebooter
Ambition, arrogance, are the kingly in
heritance; strength, constitution Of iron
the low-born legacy. What think you OF
such an endowment" -" ".
"You are far from your castle, my Lord
of Hochfels,' commented the Jester, alb
not called upon to answer. - r.
| And yet as safe as in my own noun
tain nest retorted the free baron, OF
freebooter, indifferently. "Who would
betray me? There is not a trooper OF
mine but would die for his master. You
would not denounce me, because-but why
enumerate the reasons? hold you In
the palm of my hand, and, when I close
my fingers, there's the end of YOU =
But where-allow me; the wine has 8
rare flavor" and he reached for the
! flask. %-'3. -- III
| Drink freely" returned the pretender
| ut is the kings own. and you are my
guest. You were about to ask
Whence came the idea for this mao
adventure?" said the jester, his eyes
seemingly bent in admiration on the COB:
let he held, a half globe Of crystal sus.
tanned by a golden Bacchus.
Ideal repeated the self called baron
with gesture of satisfaction. cit was
more than an idea. 1t was an inspiration
born Of that chance which points the
way to greatness. The feat accomplished
all Europe will wonder at the wantor
exploit. At first Francis will rage; ther
seeing mo impregnably 1ntrenched, will
make the best Of the marriage, especially
as the groom is of royal blood. Next
an alliance with the French king agains
the emperor. Why not; was not Franco!
once ready to. treat even with Solyma1
to defeat Charles, an overture which
shocked Christendom? And while Charles
energies are bent to the task Of pro
tecting his country from the Turks, a new
leader appears; a devil-may- care fellow
and then-and them
He broke off abruptly; stared befor'
him, as tho the fumes Of wine were a
last beginning to rise to his head; toyet
i with his glass and drank 1t quickly a,
la draft What an alluring will-o' the
/ wtsp is-to -morrow!'' he muttered
IAN Elusive hope that reconciles us will
to day" answered the PLEASANT.
1 "nlusive!'s cried the other. "Only TO
tpoets, dreamers, fools!'
"And you. sir baron, are neither on
nor the other" remarked the jester. IN
: philosopher, but plain soldier, who chop
heads-not logic. But the inspiration tina