Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-12-14

his ~favorite, who was ready with a
smile to greet him, when he suddenly
stopped before one of the company
who was clad in the prevailing mode,
but all of his garments were black,
in strange contrast with the peacock
colors all about him, while large bands
of Grape about the arms and stockings
made him a prominent figure amid
the otherwise brightly gay throng.
He was the husband of Madame de
Montespan.
The king frowned. why all this
dark array and black looks, marquis?
For whom have you donned such
heavy mourning?" he demanded.
For my wife," was the reply, as tire
man gazed steadily into the eyes Of
Louis and then looked at Madame de
Montespan, who was turning white
with anger. The king flushed, bit his
lip, then without a word turned upon
his heel, and, walking to the door
leading to his cabinet, disappeared.
La Sale and Tonti moved toward
! the door as the company, except those
who had appointments with the king,
began to dispense.
/ 81 fear the royal temper will not be
greatly sweetened by this incident"
remarked the former dryly.
"Pardieu! | like the marquis cour-
age exclaimed Tonti by way of reply.
They had waited but a few minutes
when the door opened and their names
we're called. They entered the kings
cabinet and found him seated at a
long table Uttered with papers; near
by sat his Minister Colbert, while in
a windows embrasure on the further
side of the room stood the minister's
secretary with his back to the rest of
the company, gazing out upon the
street.
La Sale and Tonti advanced and
stood at a respectful distance. AL
look of annoyance had left the kings
face as he addressed them.
$50, Sieur de la Sale, you have
brought your lieutenant with you fol
his commission. | recollect him we'll
Twas he that displayed such gal
lantry in the Sicilian campaign.
have also heard the story of his iror
hand; a brave deed bravely done. Also
of his actions before Messina, his i'm
%prisonment and ALL"
"'Tis naught, SIRE" was Tonti's re
ply in a ~deprecating tone. "Th'
knowledge of your appreciation Of m!
efforts to serve your majesty, together
, with the ~captaincy and the 800 livre'
| received, are ample rewards"
Louis looked at the speaker sharply
as if to determine whether the iron.
he fancied he detected in the las
, words were real Or not.
} There were other rewards givcl
him which he has forgotten to men
; tion," said Colbert, in a hesitatin:
2 tone. at is not usual for foreign Off
GERS to occupy the responsible posi-
r tons in the royal forces that he ha
held. That of itself ought to be dis
Y tinction enough. Your majesty ha
5 just asked ME for my humble opiniol
as to the brave capitaiEe's commits
: sion. Like all of my opinions, it woul
t be worthless, but | should not recon
r mend the signing of it."
Under the cloak Of humility, tn
: willy minister threw such a tone c
e meaning that Louis instantly demand
e ed his reason.
"a thoroughly selfish one, sire, bu
natural in one devoted to your inter
e ests. Have We, too, many officer
whom you can trust as you do thi
brave Italian? Would you not, in yo,
anxiety to please the Sieur de la Sail
a be robbing yourself? Could not so ga
liant a soldier best serve the king b
remaining in France? War is agai
imminent, and it will not be long ell
s the .Capitaine Tonti will have anothe
chance to perform other gallant deco
r and reap rich rewards"
The king seemed struck by the argl
ment advocated; the more SO as it al
pealed TO the selfish side of his nj
n ture. He bit the end of his pen a mt
O him on the table and pushing the con
mission to one side, he turned
Tonti. True words indeed" he sal
d "and ones that but echo my ow
thoughts. We have need of stroT
VI arms, clear heads, and loyal hearts
our service. We think, on the Who'll
Sieur de la Sale, that you can find
fit lieutenant for your enterprise wit
out taking from us our true and trit
r. officers"
d Tonti, advancing a step and with
meaning glance at Colbert, thus a.
l. dressed the king:
Is "He indeed, sire, speaks truly VIII.
he says that there were other +
70 wards given me which I forbore, n
lie forgot, to mention; rewards receiv'
is from the hands Of an ambitious al
lr unscrupulous minister rather thu
,e those of a grateful and genera
king"
re "How now, Sir Capitaine!" angri
interrupted Louis. I'VE like not
hear such words concerning our chi
D. officer of state"
Pardon, sire" replied Tonti. "SC
le words are not always true ones. T,
he rewards referred to I shall enumera
lg in a moment if you have the patient
lg My father brought me here a chi
10 He found a great king ~reigning ov
y a mighty kingdom with an emp
treasury. He devised a plan for t
lp filling of that treasury. You won
lg not permit him to carry 1t to concl
ut sion; you intrusted 1t to the unskille
O. ignorant hand Of your minister;
a. failed. He studied the plan more car
fully and saw the merit of my fathe,
minute advice, hitherto unheeded.
81 tried again; he succeeded; and nj
he his Successor sits here the second m