The Minneapolis journal., 1903-10-01
CHAPTER W.-continued.
Arriva! Of the Duke.

<N'l'Soi VI LIlS LUKE
1.-THE king, knaves." cried a grimy
estray with bells upon his person that
jingled like those OF a Jewish high priest,
to a group of players and gamesters. AL
ready my mouth waters at the thoughts
OF the wedding feast. and the scraps and
bones that will be thrown away. There
! warrant YOU we'll all find hearty cheer"
why are fools ever welcome at a we'd
d1ng?' asked a singing scholar.
Because there are two in the ceremony.
and the rest make the chorus answered
q philanderng mime.
And our merry monarch goeth down
the road to met one of the two said
close cropped rogue.
"Well, he's a brave knight to come so
far to yield himself captive--to woman,
Haturned the student. LAS Horace
saith"
Thou caluminator. shrimp of man.
exclaimed dark -browed drab dressed like
gypsy, seizing the scholars short doub-
let. AN I get at you
Take the garment. YOU harridan. not
the man." he retorted, slipping deftly out
of the jerkin and dancing away to safe
distance.
''Ha! there's welded bliss for your!
laughed a man in Franciscan attire.
rough rascal disguised as one Of those
priests called Gods fools or "Christ's
fools" "A week ago, when I married
them, they were billing and cooling. But
to your holes. children! When the king
returns he would not have his guest gaze
upon such scarecrows and trollops. Dis
perse, and Beelzebub take you!' And as
the group scattered the sound Of beating
horses hoofs died away In the distance.
Francis was unusually good humored
that day. Apprised by a herald that the
duke and his followers were nearing the
castle, he had sent the messenger back
announcing a trysting- place, and now rode
to and him
with honor to the castle. Upon a noble
steed. black as night. the monarch sat.
the saddle and trappings crimson in color;
the stirrup and bit. Of gold; jaunty
plume of white ostrich feathers waving
above the jetty name. The costume of the
kings stalwart figure displayed splendid
suit Of plate armor enriched with chased
work and ornament in gold, his appear
ance In keeping with his character Of
monarch and knight who sought to revive
the spirit of chtvalry at a period when the
practical modern tendencies seriously
threatened to undermine the practices and
traditions of a once exalted, but now fast
falling, institution for the regulation of
morals and conduce.
BY his side, less radiant only in COM
parison with the august monarch, rode
the rank and quality OF the the
fluttering plumes and scabbards
cleaning with jewels. and girdles adorned
with rich settings. Furiously galloping
behind came an attenuated snow-White
charger, bearing the hunchback. blad-
der dangling over his shoulder, his bag =
pipe hanging from his waist, Triboulet
bobbed frantically up and down, cinging
desperately to the saddle winding his
legs about the chargers neck to preserve
his equilibrium.
You would better jog along more
quietly, fool" observed a courtier, warn
ingly "or you will suffer for it,
Alas, SIR replied, Triboulet. II stick
my spurs into my horse to keep him quiet,
but the more prick him the more unruly
find the obstinate beast
The king. who heard, laughed, and the
dwarf's heart Immediately expanded, au
CURING he should soon be restored to the
monarch's favor: for since the night she
buffoon had failed to answer the dukes
jester In Fools hall Francis had received
Triboulets advances and small pleas
antries with terrifying coldness. In fact.
the dwarf had never passed such an un-
comfortable period during his career, save
memorable occasion when a band
Of mischievous pages had set upon him.
carried him to the scaffold and nailed his
enormous ears to the beam. Now, re-
assured, burning with delight. the jester
spurred presumptuously forward. no long
er feeling bound to lag In the rear.
go back'' cried angry knight. II
can not bear a fool on my right
Triboulet reined in his horse. but pushed
ahead the other side of the rider who
had spoken.
Il can bear 1t very well,' he retorted.
and found his proud reward in the com
pany's laughter. The remark, however,
passed from lip to lip to the king, and the
misshapen jester felt his little cup OF
happiness filled once more to the brim
his old prestige seemed coming back tc
him; holding his position in the road, he
gazed disdainfully at the disgruntled
knight and the other returned the look
with one of hearty ill-will, rnutterlng ar
imprecation and warning just above his
breath.
Sire" called out Triboulet loudly, now
above fearing courtter. knight or any high
official of the realm, "the Count de Pisei
one says he will beat to DEATH
IF he does" good naturedly answered
the king, II will hang him quarter of al
hour afterward.
Please, your majesty, hang him quar-
ter Of an hour before"
Thus right pleasantly with quip and jes
and many a smart sally, did the monarch
and his retinue draw near the meetins
spot, where at fork Of the road. beneat
the shade of overhanging branches, wer
already assembled a goodly group Of sol
diers. Beyond them, at a respectful dis
tance, stood many beasts Of burden, heav
fly laden, the great packs promising
stores Of rare and costly gifts. At tn
head Of the troopers was thick-set mar
with broad shoulders and brawny frame
mounted on a powerful gray horse. Thi
leader whom the approaching compan
surmised to be the duke, sat motiones
as statue, gazing steadfastly at tn
shining armor and gallant figure Of tn
y king who spurred to him a friendly greet
ing on his lips. Then, lightly springing t
earth and throwing his bride to one c
his troop, the foreign noble approache
the royal horseman on foot and, bendin
his head. knelt before MIN, respectful
kissing his hand. b.. .-a
Grim, silent, with hardened faces, tn
dukes men regarded the scene. thei
dusty attire (albeit rich enough beneat
the marks Of traveD, burned visage