Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-13

"A la argument sharp as II nccdts.'
boar is in his element. NomAttcr how he
PUSHES. his t,lsks strike yielding flesh
why should We fight at all at
present. cautiously vcntured the
noble. with further hesitation. Not
that doubt | could easily crush YOU
Extending his muscular arms-"but
YOU might prick me, and Just now
discretion may he the better part OF
valor. l. duke. engaged to we'd a
princess have much to lose; you. moth
ing a FOOLS strike might kill n king"
or knave. my lord added the
plaisant
"Or klavc. sirrah.' Numbered the
duke the veins starting out on his
forehead.
The jester half drew his dagger. His
quiet confidence and gIittc.iIg eye i'm
pressed even his antagonist. iuLrcd to
scenes of violence and strife.
rs it truce, most noble lord:' said
the fool significantly, "A truce where
in we may call black. black, and white.
white! y truce which may be broken
by either OF us, with due warning to
the other:"
Knitting his brow, the noble stood
nIotionlcss, deeply pondcrns. his head
long passion evidently at combat with
his judgment. Then his face cleared. a
hard. brusQue laugh burst from his
lips, and he brought his fist violently
down on the massive oak table near
the door.
so be IT, he assented, with more
open look
"A truce-without any rushes from
the boar"
Pool, Does not my word sufilce?"
contemptuously retorted the duke.
Yes, for although you are-what
you arc you have been a soldier and
would not break Il truce"
"Such COMMUNICATION from-my jester
is, indeed, iintterng," satiricaily re-
marked the kings guest. seating him
self in great chair which brought him
face To face with the tosi and yet COM
manded the door. the intrulei's only
means of retreat.
Pardon me. the dukes jester. you
= mean!"
Yes; mine
"A distinction with a difference" re-
torted the fool. 1T is quite true | am
: the dukes Jester. 1t is equally untrue
| am yours. Therefore, we reach the
9 conclusion that you and the duke are
= two different persons. Plainly. not be-
= ing the duke, YOU are an impostor
Have you any fault to find with my
: reasoning:'
: ION the contrary. answered the 9TH
err, with no sign of anger or surprise
y 'Your reasoning is all that could be de-
sired. Why should l deny what YOU
y already know? was aware, of cours
that you knew when | first learned his
Jester was in the castle. Frankly.
am not the ,lukc-to YOU"
I "R,t with Francis and the COURT
Il suggested tno tor'. uplifting his brows
81 am ,lo Nuie and such remain
y You understands
II "perfcctly. my lord replied the jest
err, struggling his shoulders. Blu
" since | am not the king nor one OF thu
IL courters. whom for the time beins
y have | the honor of addressing? Blu
perhaps | am overnquisitive.
'e "Not at all said the other. will
hooking ceremony. you are within
steal fellow. besides. | am taken Will
= a man who stands near death withou
T. hnching. TO tell you the truth. on
u truce is somewhat to my liking. Their
~ are few men who would have dare'
w what You have tonight. And, although
you're only a fool, will you drink wit
:" me from this bottle on the table here
- I'm tired Of ceremonies Of rank an,
u. would clink a glass in private with
ia merry fellow What say you:"
IN And leaning over, he filed two larg
~ goblets with the rich beverage from
great flask placed on the stand for hi
o. convenience. His face lighted wit
no gross convivinlity, but behind his jC
Il. vial, free manner. that OF II trooper I
Gu his cups. cleaned furtive guarde
look, as though he were studying an
~ testing his man.
~ "I'm for free life. some fightinf
:" but snug walls around for companion
y" ship he continued, Look at my so
:, diers now; roistering. love making
>, Charles? Francis? Not one Of tn
~. troop would leave me for emperor q
~. king. Not one but would follow me-
-. where ambition leads!' Holding II
the glass, he looked into the depths {
~ the thick burgundy. "Why, likel
-" fellow like you should carry CLEAN
ing blade, not a wooden sword.
yer know your duke-a man OF lineage,
tly string of titles long as my arm-an III
dering of the emperor. while I'-clo
re- ing his great jaw hrmly-"Owe q
me legiance to no man or monarch. while
IL the same thing. Drink. lad; II
~ please ! did not kill you"
rly "And l." laughed the PLEASANT, "co
graduate myself you are still aliv
my for the wine is excellent"
ler "Sull alive!' exclaimed the Sing
gel guest boisterousy. although dan