The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-04-10

1888 ~ APSAA SAAS LIS Va oll AoSo-
tutely silent crowd and for some few
Year-long econds the silence brooded
aver 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 v 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
well and in its place 5crept forth upon
The 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 well. The melan-
:hody music stirred the people to muir
nurs of surprise and protest.
Guy Tabarie, f1ourishing his notched
md 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
rou I surrender my sword. Like to be-
ieve that it has scraped a little shame
rom it's masters coat"
He drew his great war-sword and
| landed 1t to Noel lie Jolys, who, for one
If the few times in his life, %astonished
| nto forg%etfulness of cOurtly etiquette
lad been staring, open-mouthed, at the
astonishing revelation that had just
>een made to him. The CLEAN of the
Har-worn weapon recalled him to him
,elf and he took it from the hands of
he doomed man with a grave courtesy
which meant something more h the
tulfllment Of a formal duty. Noel lie
'folyS was a soldier n his eyes paid
tonnage to a brave mar.
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 me
~ such angry murmurs from the
crowd, and not from the crowd alone,
,ut from the soldiers who had followed
Villon to victory, that even he shrank
Jack instinctively before its menace
There came cries from a thousand
.hroats, calling on tie king to pardon
he grand constable, calling upon those
who loved him to rescue him.
king, is his juStice?" Rene de Mon
1gny shouted, and his question evoked
II roar Of approval from the multitude.
The kings keen glance surveyed the
,cene with no sign Of fear and no sign
" annoyance. Leaning easily upon the
railing, as a man might lean who sur
l1eyed an amusing farce or interlude,
lie addressed the crowd:
Good people of Paris, you h~avesheard
rour 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 disdaiilfully.
II have nothing whatever to say, sire.
Francois Villon must die. It's bad luck
! or him, but he has had worse luck and
lo-to business"
AS he spoke he drew neal to the line
" Scottish archers and two Of their
lumber laid hands on him, one at either
ide. The sight Of their hero thus in.
he very clutch of justice spurred the
multitude to renewed evaporation.
Angry demands f~orgjustice, for mercy,
or rescue, shook the summer air. I'm
lrmed citizens broke into an ]arnlorer'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 %prefaces to deeds. Again Ia
,arie's bull voice beloved to those
tbout him!
Kings must listen to the voice Of
he people. Shall the man who led us
% victory die asrogue's death?"
And again his thunder heralded a
!torm. Soldiers and citizens alike
ieemed prepared to rescue Villon by
,.orce from the hands of his enemies.
Ene Scottish archers with levelled ar
luebusses formed a line in front of the
ia1s and every courtier drew his sword.
Only the king seemed unrnoved, only
he king seemed entertained by the
Nhirlwind he had reaped. He asked
lutte quietly:
Does Master Francois villon ask his
Iife?"
Villon shook his head.
NO, sire Master Francois Villon
played 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
70 the king:
Sire, the rogues are in a damnable
temper. Can you not gain time, post
1one. pronise?'
Louis answered imperturbably:
Are the fools 50 FOND Of the fellow?
know a way to stop them shouting..s
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
land to order silence, shouted:
Peace, peace! The king would speak
With his good people of Paris
The noisy voices dropped slowly into
silence to hear what the king said.
Good people of Paris, / am nc tyrant.
Sut a king is the father of his people,
n his ears can never be shut against
he cries of his children! This mans