The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-03-29
Mayenne'S Melon.

Door widow with little son. was llV-
ing in the village OF Trouville. near
Dieppe. Her whole wealth consisted
of little cabin and garden round
about it. Her neighbcrs had broad
meadows and great fields Of grain;
they often made fun of her and her
garden produce. This latter consisted
chiefly of melons, melons large and
fragrant indeed, but whose scanty sale
could not bring the widow much
money; and that season her neighbors
boasted to her more proudly than ever.
The Due de Mayenne's large army
occupied the castle and citadel OF Ar
uues, very near the village and pro-
visions were in great demand.
France was divided at that time into
two camps: the League, led by the
Due de Mayenne and the party headed
by Henry of Navarro, soon to become
Henry ".
Mayenne had left Paris to check II
possible the victorious march of Henry
who held all Normandy. meeting
between the two armies must come
soon. However, this troubled May
enne very little; he knew his NUMBERS
were greatly superior to Navarro S;
and, gournand that he was, ne TOOK
good cheer at his leisure behind the
strong walls of Argues.
AS he made himself comfortable
there, the fame Of Dame Slmon's
melons came 10 his ears; and one day
a servant was sent out to order the
widow to send the finest melon in her
garden for NJ. le Dues breakfast the
next morning.
Accordingly, little Simon picked out
that morning a magnificent, sweet
smelling melon, put it carefully in
basket and started to carry 1t to the
castle.
He had walked some distance, when,
at the edge of the wood, he met three
merry fellows, shabbily dressed. but
wearing long swords that struck
against their legs.
Halt" they called cut. The boy
stopped. well. my young man, where
: are YOU soing?" demanded one of
: them
Simon answered that he was carry
ing melon to NJ. de Mayenne.
Here's windfall!" said the man.
3'The melon looks delicious; it viii!
do me just as much good as it VIII
M. le Due. Besides it will be so much
taken from the enemy" The three
men were soldiers of King Henry, who
had suddenly pitched his camp near
the castle in the hope of taking May
enne by surprise.
Navarre's men had had poor living
for many a day; they were determined
to carry off the melon, in spite OF ST.
mons entreaties. The child begged
them not to take away the melon;
M. de Mayenne was sure to give him
a great silver piece for it.
so much the worse for you, said
the soldier. AIS fair in war; my
enemy's goods belong to me-when
can get hold Of them!'
He was just going to snatch the bas-
ket from the child's hands when q
third person strobe through the crack
ling underbrush. The newcomer wore
a shabby doublet over his coat-of-mail;
a little scarlet mantle hung from his
shoulders; a grey hat with white
plume in it covered his head.
Hello, you rascally thieves" he
called out in a broad Gascon accent.
.Iet the boy alone, say!'
The frightened soldiers dared not
move; they recognized their master.
The king was going round about the
camp thinking how Navarro and 1O,-
900 men might contrive to. beat May
enne with $4,000.
Suddenly an idea came to the lead
er's mind; he knew Mayen2e's weak
ness for good eating. MY friends y
he said to the soldiers, this fruit is
very tempting, but we must leave it
for NJ. le Due; you and l are far too
door to pay his prices! All the same
he shall pay dear for this melon. You
will 20 back to camp at once" and the
men saluted and withdrew, thankful
to escape SO easily.
The widows boy began to thank the
king for his kindness, but Henry in
terrupted him. MY little friend, l
want to make a bargain with you. II
YOU will get to Argues an hour behind
time, you shall be my head gardener
when have taken Paris" And Simon
promised to do the kings bidding.
The table was laid in the great din
ing-hall of the castle. Mayenne was
at breakfast; but dainty and we'll serv-
ed as the meal was, evidently it did
not please him.
why doesn't that melon Gomez
asked NJ. le Due again and again
Twenty times did he send to the kitch-
en- to ask if the order had been given
to Dame Simon. His icpa::ecce in
.creasel; the lackeys trembled: taey