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


"a boar's?" tapping his chin with
the fools head on his wnnd
"Ah, you will have your Jest" re.
torted the host of the occasion good
naturally. "lt's bred in the bone. A
quality for a soldier. Next to courage
IS that fine sense Of humor which
makes n man n bon comradc. Fut
down your craven image. lad; you
were made to carry arms. not baubles.
Put it down, | say. and touch glasses
with Louis of Pfalz-Urfcld."
81. ord IIochfels"' exclaimed the Jest.
err fxcdly regarding the man whose
name was known throughout Europe
for his reckless bravery. his personal
resources and his indomltable pride or
love of freedom and independence,
which held him aloof from emperor or
Monarch and made him peer and lead
er among the many intractablc spirits
of the Austrian country who had not
yet bowed their necks to conquest
soldier Of many battles. whose timex
walled fortress, pcrched picturcsqucly
IN midnir on steep mountain top,
established his security on all sides
"The same. my friend of the motley"
| continued the other. not without com
/ placency, observing the effect Of his
announcement on the Jester.
clio Who calls himself the free baron
| Of Hochfcls:' observed the fool, set
ting down the gtss from which he had
moderately par,aken.
AYE, Il man of royal and peasant
blood" harshly answered the free
bootor. "Ambition and arrogance are
the kngy Inheritance; strength. con
stitution Of iron, the lowborn legacy.
What think you OK such an cndow-
mcnt:"
you arc far from your castle, my
lord of llochfes." commented the jest
er absently. unnndlul of Il question
he felt not called upon to answer.
"And yet as safe rs in my own
mountain nest" retorted the free
baron or freebooter indiffercntly. who
would betray me? There is not a
trooper of mine but would die for his
master. You would not denouncc me-
because but why enumerate the rea-
sons! | hold you in the palm OF my
hand. and when l close my fingers
there's the end of yon.'
But where allow me, the wine has
rare flavor" and he reached for the
flask.
Drink freely" returned the pretend
er. ut is the kings own, and you are
my guest. You were about to ASK
II a an
adventure: said the Jester, his eye.
: seemingly bent i'll admiration on the
goblet he held--a half globe of crysta
sustained by a golden Bacchus.
Idea repeated the self called
baron. with a gesture of satisfaction.
l 1t was more than an idea. 1t wa:
an inspiration, born of that chance
The feat accomplished, all Europ'
) will wonder ut the wanton exploit
At first Francis will rage. Then
r seeing me impregnably intrenched
he Will make the best of the marriage
g especially as the groom Is of roya
blood Next an alliance with tn
4 French king against the emperor. VIII.
not: Was not Francis once ready t
v treat even with Solyman to defea
Charles, an overture which shocked
t Christendom? And while Charles
1 energies are bent to the task OF pro
tecting his country from the Turks {
r new leader appears. O devil may carr
= fellow and then and them
= lie broke Off abruptly. stared befor
q him as though the fumes of wine wer
i at last beginning TO rise 10 his head
toyed with his glass and drank
quickly at draft. What an allurin
u wil-o' the-wisp is-tomorrow" he mu
tered
AN Elusive hope that reconciles u
= with today" answered the PLEASANT.
II "Illusivew cried the other. only f.
{ poets. dreamers, fools
q And you. Sir Baron. are neither on
nor the other" remarked the jeste
mo philosopher. but Il plain soldie
who chops heads. not logic. But the il
y spration that caused you to cmbar
upon this hot Drained, pretty ente
= prise:'
e Upon a spur of rock that oyerlooE
= the road through the mountain is ST
!" the Nulture's Nest. Sir Fool began IL
- udventurer in Il voice ut once contdel
- and arrogant. AT least so the tin
honorcd fortress of Hochfels is di
paraginEly designated by the peopl
AS the road is the only puss throug
- thc mountains, M turally we con
H. more or less in contact with the pcop
who 90 by our doors Being thus force
~ through the situation of our fortrc'
- into the proximity of the traveliI
ie public, we have from time to tin
- made such sorties as are practiccd |
~ a beleaguered garrison and nave
=, consequence taken prisoners many ira
~ flick ers and traders whose goods Al
- chattels were worthy of our attentit
~ as spoils of war. Generally we ha'
w confined our operations TO migratol
vi merchants, who carry more OF vail
~ and cause less trouble than the empe
I" or's soldiers or the kings troopers b
80 occasionally we brush against one
the latter bands so that we may ke'
y, In practice in laying our blades to Il
=" grindstone aud also to show We a
soldiers. not robbers.
(Which remains TO be proved mu
INJURED the attentive jester, Your pa
~, don. noble lord" as the other ha
~, started from his chair: 'let me I'LL 70
-" glass. IT'S n pity to neglect such roy