The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-02-24


with floor Of hardened earth and sim
gle window open to wind and weather.
On q couch under the window slum-
bered and snored the false Franciscan
monk. BY his side was a tankard half
filed with stale sack, and In his hand
he clutched gold piece as though he
had had an intimation 1t would be
safer there than elsewhere on his per-
son during the pot valiant sleep he had
deliberately courted. His hood had
fallen back, displaying bullet head,
red cheeks and purple nose, while the
wooden beads Of this scottish counter
felt Of n friar trailed from his girdle
on the ground. From a stall In n far
corner large, bony looking nag turned
its head reproachfully, as If mentally
protesting against such foul quarters
and the poor company they offered.
why, here's a holy man worn out
by many paternosters," commented tho
dukes fool, standing on the threshold,
and then gazed from the gold piece in
the mans hand to the woman. "I need
not ask where you got the silver, Ma
nettc. 'Tis chain Of evidence leading
--whcreT"
The gypsy replied only with dark
looks, regarding his intrusion in this
inner sanctuary as n fresh provocation
for her Just displeasure. Crossing to
the couch. he shook the monk vigorous
ly, bit the latter only held his piece OF
money tighter. like n miser whose
treasure is threatened, and snored the
louder. Again the fool essayed to
waken him, and this time he opened
his eyes, felt for his beads and COM
menced to mutter n prayer I'm Latin
words strung together in meaningless
phrases.
why" commented the Jester. "his
learning Is rs false as his cloak. Wake
up, sirrah! Would you approach heav-
ems gate with feigned prayer on
your lips and n toss pot in your handT'
"Chrlste tuum-l absolve youl 1
absolve your muttered the friar. "Go
your way in peacew
Hear me, thou trumped up monk!
Do you want another piece of -gold?"
"GOld! repeated the other tipsily.
'What-what for? Toto help some
fool to pnradise-or purgatory? 'Tis for
the church beg, good people. The
holy church-church, ! sayv'
Winking and blinking. seeing moth
ing before him, he held out trem-
bling hand. "The piece Of gold! Give
1t TO me-" lie mumbled.
"Yes; in exchange for your cloak"
answered the jester.
"My cloak. thou horse leech! Sell my
skin for-piece Of gold! Want my
cloak? Take itr And the dissembler
rolled over, extending his arms. The
jester grasped the garment by the
sleeves and with some difficulty whip
ped it from him.
Now hand me-the money and--cov-
er me with rags that--I may Sleep"
continued the beer bibber. SOFAS he
grasped the money the fool gave him
and stretched himself iuxuriously be-
meath noisome litter Of CASTOR
clothes and rubbish-'T languish in &C.
| stasies! The angels-are singing around
me-"
With growing surprise and iii humor
had the woman observed this novel
proceeding, and now, when the jester
had himself donned the false friar's
gown, she said grudgingly:
You did not give him one Of the five
piecesT
mo; there are still five left"
"A bit Of gold for n cloak" she
grumbled. "It is overmuch. But there"
-unfastening q door that looked out
upon the field-"give me tho money
and be gone"
He grasped the bride Of the horse,
handed her the promised reward and,
drawing the hood Of the monks gar.
ment over his head, led the nag out
| into the open air. The door closed
quickly behind him, and lie heard the
wooden bolt as 1t shot into place
Above the dark outlines Of the forest
the moon. full orbed, now shone in the
sky with n myriad attendant stars, its
silver beams flooding the open spaces
and revealing every detail, soft,
dreamy, yet distinct. A fanguorous, red
olent air Just stirred the waving grain,
on which rested glossy simmer.
AS the fool was about to spring upon
| the horse a shadow suddenly appeared
| around the corner Of the house, and
the animal danced aside in alright.
Before the Jester could quiet and mount
the nag the shadow resolved itself into
man, and behind him came q nu-
merous band, the play of light on he'll
met. sword and dagger revealing them
as party OF troopers. Doubtless, hav-
ing indulged freely, they had become
inclined to new adventures. and nc
cordingly had bent their footsteps to-
ward the little house on the verge Of
the wood" where merry company was
always to be found. At the sight Of
the dukes fool md the horse they
pressed forward and, with one accord,
F.; surrounded him.
"The Franciscan monl!" cried one.