Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-01-03

He dropped suddenly into d moouy
silence, which was not to the taste OF
the fellowship who were interested In
the adventure. Montigny, leaning for
ward, gave Villon a clap on the back
which made him shrink, and shouted
What was the answer"
Villon began to laugh, a loud. mirth-
less laugh that had no human warmth
in II.
"a fellow like a page boarded me
here three days ago. He asked me IL l
had sent certain verses to a certain
quarter. If so / was to follow him at
once. I followed like a sheep, with my
heart drumming, till we came to q quiet
place., and there four hobbies with
yard-long cudgels fell upon me. / was
taken / had no Weapon but
my ~jack-dagger, the blows were raining
upon me as fast as acorns fly In a high
wind, so l thought 1t no shame to take
to my heels. The varlets pursued me,
full cry, till l led them to a part OF Paris
where their lives would not have been
worth a minutes purchase and they
had to stay their chase. But l have been
rarely drubbed and ~roundly basted, and
my poor back and sides are most wom-
anishly tender. / go abroad no more
without Excalibur." He tapped his
sword hilt as he spoke. Huguette
glared fiercely up at him.
will it teach you not to play the fool
AGAIN." she asked, with a vicious snap
Of her white teeth.
1T will teach me not to play the fool
again." Villon answered sadly. 1.-THE
mark of the beast is upon me and | shall
dream no more dreams" He shook him-
self as If he were trying to a away
clinging memories and extended his
empty can to Montigny, saying: I'm
thirsty again. More liquor"
AS Montigny filled up for his leader,
Louis commented, You drink more
than is good for your health, sir" Viii
lon rounded on him angrily, with
flushed face and shining eyes
Mind our own b%usiness!" he shout-
ed, and the rest shouted with him APP
plaudingly. What can a man do but
drink when France Is going to the
devil, with the BurgundIans encamped
in the free fields where l played in
childhood, and a ninCompoop sits on
the throne and let's them besiege his
city?" The rascals laughed. Tristan
whispered to himself, You'll be sorry
you spoke, Master Villon." The king
p~ropounded a problem. mo doubt you
could do better than the king il you
wore the kings shoes?'
Villon rolled about on his barrel in an
ecstasy OF entertainment. IF ! could
not do better than Louis Do-Nothing.
Louis Dare-Nothing, having his occa-
I SlOlS ana advantages, may mug uellS
there nPyer 'sLcc me again"
his boon companions laughed. HUI
guette whispered sulkily, Perhaps she
never WILL"
Isabeau came siding and bridling up
to Louis, ~wheedling like q cat as she
said: "Our Francois has made a rhyme
Of 1t, sin, how he would carry himself IL
he wore the kings shoes"
Louis was always ready for any kind
of gallantry. He put his arms around
the girls slim body and drew her to his
knee. HAS he, indeed, pretty min
ion?" he said. May we not hear it,
Master Poct?"
Villon, with mock modesty, had tried
to restrain Isabeau from speaking of
the work, but now he changed his tune.
You may; you shall; for It's a true
song, though it would cost me my neck
II came to the kings ears, very likely.
But you are not tall enough to whisper
In them, so here goes"
With a shout Villon sprang to his
feet, draped his tattered cloak closely
about him, struck a commanding atti-
tude, and began to recite with great
solemnity. Louis scooped his claW-like
fingers behind his ear that he might
better neal the words that fell from the
wild poets mouth:
"An French folk, whereso'er we be,
Who love your country, soil and sand,
From Paris to the Breton sea,
And back again to Norman strand,
Forsooth we seem a silly band,
Sheep without shepherd, left to
chance
Far otherwise u fatherland
If Villon were the king Of France!"
Louis glanced grimly at Tristan; the
rogues rubbed their hands and chuckled.
Nillon smiled in pride and went on:
THE figure on the throne you see
Is nothing but a puppet, planned
To wear the regal bravery
OF silken Goa II gilded wand.
Not so we FrenChmen understand
The lord of lions heart and glance,
And such a one would take command
/ IL Villon were the king Of France!"
The kings face was a study in sar-
donics. Tristan was poppy-red with
rage. The gang applauded and Villon
glowed with their applause.
His councillors are rogues, Perdie!
While men Of honest mind are banned,
To creak upon the gallows tree,
Or squeal in prisons over-mann'd;
We want a chief to bear the brand,
And bid the damned Burgundians
dance;
God! Where the orifamme should
stand
II Villon were the king of France!"
Mugs and cans clattered approval.
The rhymer's eyes widened as he drew
breath to blow forth the envoi of his
ballade.
Louis the Little, play the grand;
Buffet the foe with sword n lance;
IT'S what would happen, by this hand,
If Villon were the king of Franco
A roar of enthusiasm came from the
full threats of the band. Montigny
n Z 80, NhA hnalr - - fsNlTAl
crowed, Chanticleer!" Huguette flung
her arms around him and Rugged him
as she cried ~passionately: Il forgive
you much, for that light in your eyes"
But the poet seemed weary after so
much heat. He pushed the girl away
and dropped on his hogshead. The
rogues ratified away to their table again,
and Villon was left alone with Louis,
who questioned him drily: You call
yourself a patriot, l suppose?'
Villon had recovered sufficient energy
to drain a mug Of wine. He turned to
The king, passing his hand over his
forehead. by no such high-sounding
title" he answered. II am but a poor
devil with a heart too big for his body
and a hope too large for his hoop. Had
l been begotten In a brocaded bed, L
might have led armies and served
France; have loved ladies without fear
OF CuuSelllnSS, ana lOlu hll6S tIulIS
without dread of the halter, while as 1t
is, i consort with sharps and wantons,
and make my complaint to a dull little
buzzard like you, old noodle! oh, it's
a FOOLS play and it were well to be out
of It,"
You won't have long to worry" iris
tan muttered to himself under his
breath, and found great comfort in the
thought. Louis merely said: You are
sententious!"
Villon took him up quickly. The
quintessence OF envy, no less. l have
great thoughts, great desires, great
ambitions, great appetites, what you
will. / might have changed the world
and left a memory. AS 1t a. l sleep n a