Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-04


smiling. The whole court knows why you
chose me, and everyone despises me for being
a party to the crime. Let them think what they
will; | care not. They will soon change their
minds.
The Margrave bowed and withdrew As he
turned away he collided with the long Duke of
Wessenfels who said:
Out of the way you twice-fat hog!'
All who were near saw the Dukes scowl, and
many persons heard his words.
"ich! it hurts him" said Adolph laughing
triumphantly and struggling his shoulders. !" He
did not receive the golden apple. There may be
another Trojan War"
The Margrave's words were heard by every
in the room, including the Duke, and
though Adoph spoke jestngy he was terribly
in earnest. For sometime there had been en-
nifty between these two, and the Margrave
hoped to widen the breach. He succeeded SO
well that the Duke. who proud of his repu-
tation duelist, was heard on several occa-
sions to threaten the fat fellow with extinc-
ton in several horrible forms, the least frightful
of which was to run his sword through the Mar
graves heart The Dukes threats all reached
the Margrave's ears; but they did not inspire
fear. On the other hand, they filled his heart
with joy, and he was careful that they should
be made known to the King.
THE next evening at The Tabagie, after the
King had risen and while the Margraves
nerves were fortified by large quantity of
beer, the Duke, who could not at all compete
with Adolph in the matter of beer drinking,
however superior he may have been as a duel
ist, took occasion to annoy the Margrave in
many petty ways. The adroit Adolph offered
Weissenfels every opportunity to show his i'll
temper, and after he had exhibited his bad
feeling IN such manner that the King could
not help seeing it, friend of Schwedt APP
preached his Majesty who graciously lent his
ear to his future son in law.
Your Majesty may have noticed" said
Adolph with great earnestness, . that his Grace
of Weissenfels is taking every occasion to put
insufferable insult upon me-"
Yes, | have noticed that his looks are sour
and that he seems to take great delight in try
ing to insult you" answered the King, laugh
ing and waving his hand to indicate that it was
of no consequence
MY immediate business with your Majesty
is this" said the Margrave. standing at his tall
est and swelling prodigiously in the breast: Il
wish to ask your Majesty's permission to slap
the Dukes face-face. your Majesty, and when
he attempts to run from me, it is my intention,
always with your Majesty's permission, to kick
him"
AS already intimated, Adolph had been
drinking.
You have my permission to do both said
the King, laughing and resting his hand kindly
on the Margrave's shoulder. ''But he NAV not
He has threatened to run you through.
and you know he is very devil with sword"
The Margrave's intentions had been good
and his determination had been real; but they
sideration The Kings suggestion that the Duke
might not run away. but that he might draw his
sword. sicklied over the native hue of Adolph's
resolution with the pale cast of thought
Following the pale cast of thought came wish
that Henry present to aid and abet him in
his undertaking and to him in valiant
role After the wish had taken form, prudence
whispered to the Margrave that it would be
wise to postpone chastisng the Duke till Henry
was present for the twofold purpose of giving
help should it be needed and of glorying in
Adolphs triumph. Therefore. he did not go
directly to Weissenfes, but waited for the Duke
to continue his insulting conduct.
After Wessenfels had left Adolph sought
the King to tell him that the enemy, doubtless
having heard of his danger, had fled.
The King laughed and said :" Your oppor-
tunity will come again, Margrave. and when it
does hope you will not fail to improve it. But
beware of the Dukel He is bad, vicious man.
good swordsman. and in of an encounter
he will kill you if he can.
The King words saved the Margrave deal
of trouble later on; for Adolph was not a cow
ard, as you will agree if you peruse this history
to its end.
NEXT morning the Margrave drove to Span
dau Castle where Henry had been for
nearly month. drilling new recruits, prepara-
tory to trouble with Hanover which the King
was expecting because of dispute between
subjects of Hanover and Brandenburg concern
ing few loads of hay
Adolph fastened to Fritz Henry's room and