Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-01-24

straitened bOOkw0rm. Life means
pinched stomach, cold body; death.
no hunger to fear and q bed that,
though cold, chills us not. What we
know not doth not exist-for us; ergo.
10 lie in the earth Is to rest In the lap
Of luxury for all our consciousness OF
it. But to be unconscious Of the ills of
this perishable frame Horace likewise
must be as dead to us as our aches
and pains. Thus Is life made prefera-
BILE to death. Yes, would live. Hold.
though" he again hesitated in deep
thought. What avails Horace if"-
he began.
"Why, what new data have entered
in the PREMISES" observed the won
dering jester.
"Nanettew was the gloomy answer.
"Who, pray, is Nanette?' asked the
fool thrusting his assailants weapon
in his jerkin.
"a wanton haggard whose tongue
will run post sixteen stages together;
who would make the devil himself
malleable, then work, hammer and
wire-draw him"
"And what is she to your
"AIy wife-that IL, she claims that
exalted place, having married me one
night when l was in my cups through
false priest who dresses as Fran
ciscan monk. Fools in the court Of
God are these priests called, and truly
he is jester, for certainly Is he no
true monk But Narette nevertheless
asserts she is the lawful partner Of
my sorrows. So work your will on me.
A stroke, and the shivering spirit is
waited across the StyX."
''And If l gave you not only your
life-fOr a consideration hereafter to
be mentioned small silver piece
as well?" suggested the jester. who
had been for some moments buried in
thought.
"Haw calculated the scamp student,
Frightening. Your gift would match
the piece already have and which
dolt that | was-I overlooked to in.
clude In my chain Of reasoning" And.
thrusting his hand into his ragged
dOublet. after some search he extract
ed u diminutive disk upon which he
gaZed not without ardOr. Thus are
we forced to start the chain Of reason
ing anew" he remarked. with Horace
and this bit of metal on one side Of
the scales and Nanette on the other.
Now, unless the devil sits on the beam
with Nanette. which he's like to do.
the book and the bit of dross will out
weigh her and we arrive ut the ccrti-
tude that life. qualified rs to duration.
may be happily endured"
What argument does the dross car
ry. knave?" demanded tie fool, Look
ing down ut the hound that crouche,!
ut his feet.
with it may be purchased that
which warns the pinched stomach.
With it may be bought an elixir so
strong and magical it may breed de-
fiance even of Nanette. Sir Fool, |
have concluded to accept life and the
small silver piece"
"Well and good" commented the jest
er. "But there are conditions attach
ed to my clemency."
Conditions" retorted the vagabOnd.
"What are conditions to a philosopher
once he has reached logical assur.
ance"
"First. you must find me a horse.
Your Nanette. as take 1t. is Il gypsy.
and in tie camp are surely horses.
But why should you want ii horse?
'Tis not far to the CASTLE" said the
puzzled scholar.
mo. but 'tis far away from 1t. Next,
tell me where you got thar small piece
of silver. like the one | have promised
you!"
"From Nanette.'
What for?"
"To accomplish that which | have
failed to dO," replied the student will
ingly. But. alas. not havin. earned
1t. have l the right idly to spend it?
he added dolefully. half to himself.
"Why did Nanette'- began the jest
er
But the other raised his arm with an
exp0stulatOry gesture "Many things |
know" he interrupted. odds and ends
of erudition, but woman's mind |
know not nor want to know. ! had as
soon question Beelzebub rs her: yea. to
stir up the devil with stick. II spar
Ing my life is contingent Oh my know
ing why she does Jg 4. =. ,..cii ie!
me pay the DC. ~ IT.
NO. Ills slight Punishment 10 take
from nan tli,it which h Values -
little lie must reason Will himself To
learn If he value it ut ali," returned
the dukes jester slowly. We'll waive
the question If you find me the horse
"'ris Nanette you must ask. There's
but one, old. yet seryiceable.'
Then take me to Nanette."
Very well. Follow me, sir, and II
you're still of a mind when you see her
you can question her."
why, is she so weird and witch-like
to look upon?" said the fool.
Nay. The devil hides his claws be-
hind the daintiest fingers. all pink ana
white. He conceals his cloven hoof Ill
slipper truly sylph-like."
You arouse my curiosity. l would
fain meet this fair monster"
"Come, then, Master Fool" replied
the scamp student, leaving the road for
the field to the right, and the jester
after Il moments. deliberatiOn turned
likewise into the stubble. while the
hound, as il satisfied with the service
1t had performed, slowly retraced Its
way toward the castle, stopping, how
ever, now and then to look around aft
er the two men. whose figures grew
smaller and smaller In the distance.
For some space they walked In silence.
Then the scholar paused and, pointing
to low, rambling house that once had
been hunters lodge and now had