The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-02-04

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them were white images Of some sub
stance like unto the holy mother at the
shrine in Montreal. Some Of these
craven stones were in semblance Of
men with horns and goats legs, and
some Of warrior women with plumed
helms Upon their heads. Verify I mar
veled much at these strange sights.
The pert little lads who 1dled about
the hall began to make sport of me
concerning my dress, and laughed
greatly at their own wit. I paid 40
heed to their foolish gibes, there being
no man among them. Il irked me more
than good sense would admit, and I
left the hall, and after many vain en-
beavers made my way out into the
open air-being right glad to breathe
again without a roof above my head.
/ was i'll at ease among all these a
g%allants who minced and paced along
like so many string-halted nags. 1t
was said the king walked much In that
way, and SO, forsooth, must all his lords
and ladies go. Perhaps 1t was the
fashion Of the court, but 1 stuck to the
only gait | knew, a good, honest,
swinging stride which could cover if
teen leagues a day at a pinch.
Off to one side the water kept leap
Ing up into the air as I am told the
spouting springs do in the Dacotah
country. / walked that way and was
soon lost In wonderment at the con-
temptation of a vast bronze basin filled
with curious brazen beasts, half men,
half fishes, the like of which I had nver
seen. Some had horns from which
they blew sparkling streams, others
astride of strange sea monsters
plunged about and cast up jets of wa
ter. It all made so much noise I
scarcely heard a voice behind me say:
TN lay a golden Louis his coat is Of
as queer a cut as his neither garment
whatever its outlandish name may be-"
Done" said another voice.
I gave no heed, thinking they meant
not me. until a dapper little chap, all
plumed and belaced, stepped in front
Of me with a most lordly air.
Hey, friend, who is thy tallor?" and
behind me rang out the merry laugh at
such a famous Jest.
l turned and there being a party Of
fine young ladies at my back full glad
ly would I have retired. had not the
young braggart staggered to my front
again and persisted:
Friend, let US see the cut of thy
coat
We men of the forest accustomed to
the rough ways of a camp. and ook-
ing not for insult, are slow to anger,
SO 1 only asked as politely as might be,
because of the ladies:
And wherefore?"
Because I say so, sir" he replied,
most arrogantly and stamping his foot,
cast off thy cloak that we may see.'
still stood undecided, scarce know
Ing what to think, and being ignorant
Of fashions at court. De Brienne-for
that was his Misunderstanding my hes
%ttation, advanced and laying his hand
had l not brushed him aside so vigor-
ously he stumbled and fell to the
ground.
I had no thought of using strength
sufficient to throw him down. He
sprang up instantly, and, furious, drew
his sword. / felt my own wrath rise at
sight of cold steel-it was evr q way
Of mine beyond control-and asked
him hotly:
How is 1t affair OF thine what man
ner Of coat I wear?"
He made no reply, but, raising his
arm, said, menacingly:
Now, clown, show thy coat, or I'll
spit thee like a dog"
l glanced o the circle at the
blanched faces of the ladies, seeing
such a serious turn to their Jest, and
would not even then have drawn, but
the men made nc effort to interfere, 70
| only answered him, May, I'll wear
my cloak" when he made a quick
lunge at me. l know not that he meant
me serious injury, but taking no risk
my blade came readily, n catching
his slenderer weapon broke it short off,
leaving him raging and defenceless-
a simple trick, yet not learned in a day.
It was a dainty little jewel-hilted toy,
and I hated to spoil it.
Now, sir, thank the kings uniform
for thy life" my blood was up, and I
ached to teach him a lesson, 81 a not
turn the kings sword against n Ct
his servants"
The ladies laughed now, and the hot
flush mounted to my cheeks, for ]
feared a woman, but their merrtment
quickly died away at the sound OF an
imperious voice saying:
Fol shame de Brienne, brawleri"
And thou, my young coxcomb of Or
leans" he continued, addressing that
dissolute prince: How dare you, sir,
lead such a throng of jewellers into the
kings own gardens? Is not your own
house Of debauchery sufficient for your
grace? Have q care. young sir, ! am
yet the king, and thou mayest never be
the regent"
The duke simulated his profound re-
( gret, but when Louis Jack was turned
made a most unprincely and most un-
court1y grimace at his royal uncle,
which set them all a-laughing. Where
at all these noble lords and ladies made
great %pretense of gravity, and ostenta-
4 tiously held their handkerchiefs before
their mouths to hide their mirth.
Already these satellites began to de-
sert the sinking to attach their for
tunes to those Of the rising sun.
marvelled at this, for the name OF
Louis had been held in almost Godlike
reverence by us In the colonies. Mean
while he had turned to me.
We'll said, young man; thou hast 9
loyal tongue"
And a loyal master, sire" for II
needed not the mention of his lam t.
tell me I faced the king. That face
stamped on his every golden am
sake, had been familiar to me since tn,
earliest days of my childhood.
Thy nalne sir"
Kingly still, though a little bent, TO
he vas now well past sixty, Louis stoo,
In his h~gh-heeled shoes tapping tn
! ground irapan4 nifty with a long cane
his flowing Goa huttering in the Wiini
For q period ] completely lost m
, tongue. could see nothing bu
the blazing cross Of the holy ghos
the red order OF St. Louis, upon til
9 Monarchss breasfsNeouId hear notflin
but the grating of his zane against th
gravel. was not ashamed, for
hrave soldier can proudly fear HIS Go
81 his conscience and his