The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-24

with a naughty demeanor, wondering
 meanwhile If he looked as foolish as the
 rest, he was struck with astonishment by
 seeing his old friend Fabricio, the son of
 the barber Nunez, chatting confdent1ally
 with the Duke of Medina-S -Sidonia and the
 Marquis of Santa Cruz. As soon as he left
 these grandees Gil Bias approached him,
 and Fabricio, gorgeous though he was,
 recognized him frankly and lost no time
 in initiating him into the mystery of how
 a lackey might become parsonage at
 court.
 T have become an author said he. When Gil Bias began to laugh, he con- tinued with superior smile: 'Oh, I am not one of those wretched authors whose
 works are offered humbly to booksellers and theatrical managxrs. We write only for the great and recite our productions
 in their houses. Listen. Here is my latest"
 With thrilling voice and grand gestures he recited a sonnet whose sense was en- tirely unintelligible to Gil Bias. That is l just it's merit" said the barber's son. "A good poem must be unintelligible. To be sublime we must be beyond all under | standing. It IS sufficient if the poet | thinks he knows what he is saying. Be as wise as I am The Count Galano of Sicily wants a secretary. l can obtain the place for you. If you play your cards well you can be as comfortable at court as I am.
 | ell Bias accepted the offer He discov- cred almost at once that his post as sec- retary really was a post as spy. The count was a grandee whose stinginess was secondary only to his desire for lux ury. As soon as Gil Bias discovered how he could save his master money and still maintain appearances he became the favorite and exchanged his honorable but unprofitable post of spy for the post of steward, which made him master of his masters purse-and that always is the most desirable position.
 | He discovered all the swindles and thefts of the other servants and in a ] short time saved the count at least 5000 ducats You are very foolish,' said Fabrico. You are making enemies, where | as you might make the rest give you half their winnings and have them all 1 as friends. You will remain lackey your whole life long il you continue to refuse | to strip the skin from an eel when you have hold of him."
 i, Gil Blas laughed and insisted on remain | ing honest One day the counts great pet, an extremely ugly ape, became i'll, and Gil Bias, to curry favor with his i master, nursed the beast zealously that he was laid prostrate himself with a l violent fever When he recovered his l senses he found himself in poor lodg- 1 ing. and was informed that the count | alarmed lest the fever prove contagious had sent him hurriedly out of the house and had gone to Sicily with all his house. hold. Gil Bias asked for his belongings, and found nothing. His money, and even his garments had been stolen. Pennless as in the beginning, Gil Bias gave way to despair, though he should have remembered that almost every mis- fortune proves to be the usher for better luck It was so in this case. He was suc- cored by a friend, who obtained for him a post of great honor-that of paymaster for Don Diego de Monsetser. who was sec- retary to the Duke of Lerma. the Prime
 Minister of Spain.