Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-20

he clutched gold piece as though
had had an intiMation II would
-afer there than elsewhere OH his nc
son during the pot valiant sleep he h;
deliberately courted. His hood h
fallen back. displaying a bullet hea
red cheeks and purple nose. while &
wooden beads of this scottish counte
felt of a friar trailed from his grid
on the ground. From a stall in {;
corner a large. bony looking nag tIrnt
its head reproachfully. as II mental
protesting against such foul quarter
and the poor company they offered.
why. here's holy man worn OF
by many paternosters." commented IL
dukes fool. standing on the threshold
and thcn gazed from the gold piece IL
the mans hand to the woman. Il nee
not ask where you got the silver. Nh
npttr Ills chain Of evidence lcadin.
where"
The gypsy replied only with darl
looks. regarding his intrusion In thi
inner sanctuary as fresh provocatlOi
for her Just displeasure. Crossing t.
the couch ne shook the monk vigorous
ly. but the latter only held his piece Of
money tighter. like miser who's
treasure il threatened. and snored tn.
louder. Again the fool essayed tt
wakcn him. and this time ne opened
| his eyes. felt for his beads and com
menced 10 ysutter a prayer In Latin
words strung together in meaningless
| phrases.
why" commented the Jester. mi,
learning Is as false az his cloak. Wake
Zip. sirrah Would you approach heav'
ems gate with feigned prayer or
your lips and toss pot in your hand"
"Christc tuum-I absolve you. I
absolve you" muttered the friar. Go
your way in peace"
Hear me. thou t"umped up monk!
Do you want another place Of gold?"
Gold" repeated the other tipsily.
"what-what for? Toto help some
fool to paradise--cr purgatory? 'Tis for
the church beg. good people. The
| holy church-churesi. I say.
| Winking and blinking. seeing moth
ing before him. he held out a trem-
| bling hand The piece Of gold. Give
1t to me- he mumbled.
| Yes: in exchange for your cloak"
| answered the jester.
"My cloak. tho@ horse leech. Sell my
skin for piece Of gold! Want my
cloak? Take it," And the dissemhler
rolled over. extending his arms. The
jester grasped the garment by the
sleeves and with some difficulty whip.
ped it from him.
Now hand nie--the money and-cov-
er me with rags that may sleep,
continued the beer bibber. "So"-as he
grasped the money the fool gave him
and stretched himself luxuriously he
Meath a noisomc litter OF CASTOR
| clothes and rubbish--"I languish In 90
stasies. The angels--are singing around
! me-"
With growing surprise and II. hume:
had the woman observed this move
proceeding and now. when the jester
had himself dOnned the false friar's
gown. she said grudgngly:
"You did not give him one OF the five
pieces:'
"No: there are still Ave left"
"A bit OF gold for cloak she
grumbled 1T is overmuch But there
--unfastening door that looked on
upon the held"give me the money
and be gone
He grasped the bride Of the horse
handed her the promised reward and
ORA wing the hood Of the monks gar
ment over his head. led the nag on
into the open air. The door closet
quickly behind him. and he heard tn
wooden holt as it shot into place
Above the dark outlines Of the fOres
the moon. full orbed. now shone in tn
sky with a myriad attendant stars. IT
silver beams flooding the open space
and revealing every detail. soft
dreamy. yet distinct a languorous. red
! client air Just stirred the waving grain
on which rested a glossy simmer
As the fool was about to spring upo
the horse a shadow suddenly appeare
: around the corner Of the house. an
the animal danced aside in afriRht
Before the Jester could quiet and noun
the nag inc shadow resolved itself int
{ man. and behind him came a n,
merous hand. the play Of light on he
) met, sword and dagger revealing theT
{ as party OF troopers. Doubtless, ha,
ing INDUCED freely, they had becom
inclined TO new adventures. aud a.
. cordinRly had bent their footsteps Il
ward the little house on the verge q
the wood where merry company wa
{ always to he found. At the sight 6
Z the dukes fool and the horse the
pressed forward and. with one accort
surrounded him.
1.-THE Franciscan monk" cried one.
"Where is he going so late with tn
nag:" asked another.
Hes OF to confess some one" e,
u claimed a third.
"a petticoat. most likely. the rogue
4 rejolned the second speaker
u "Wcll. what have we to do with h
love Affairs laughed the hrst troope
L "Ride on, good father. and keep tryst
Eyes. ride on the others called Out
u The monk bowed. An interruptio
3 which had promised to defeat bis d
10 signs seemed drawing to q hsrmle'
conclusion. His hopes ran high: Il
n soldiers had not yet penetrated b
meath the costume: he had already 4
d termined to leap upon the horss In
y rush for freedom when a heavy. d
:. tanning hand was laid on his shoulder
u Zone moment. knave" said q det
ID voice, and, wheeling sharply, the 10