The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-24

scale that his many experiences had furnished him, he concluded that he had as much chance as any other Spaniard to make his way in the highest places of all-in Madrid at court, where many a man who was l no great genius had picked up his fortune.
 Arrived in the capital. he fitted him. self out with a brilliant cavaliers dress. hung a mighty sword on him self and strutted calmly into the palace, where he lounged around pompously day after day, keeping eyes and ears open for an opportunity.
 One morning as he paraded up and down with a naughty demeanor. won- dering meanwhile if he looked as fool ish as the rest, he was struck with as- tonishment by seeing his old friend Fabricio, the son of the barber Nunezs chatting confidentially with the Duke of Medina -Sidonia and the Marquis of Santa Cruz. As soon as he left these Grandees Gil Bias approached him, and Fabricio, gorgeous though he was. rec ognized him frankly and lost no time In initiating him into the mystery of how a lackey might become per- sonage at court.
 q have become an author" said he. Wh en Gil Bias began to laugh. he con. tinued with a superior smile: "Oh, l am not one of those wretched auth ors whose works are offered humbly to booksellers and theatrical managers. We write only for the great and re- cite our productions in their houses. Listen. Here Is my latest"
 With thrilling voice and grand ges- lures he recited sonnet whose sense was entirely unintelligible to Gil Bias. That is just It's merit said the bar ber's son. "A good poem must be un- intelIigible. To be sublime we must be beyond all understanding. It ts sufficient if the poet thinks he knows what he is saying. Be as wise as am. The Count Galiano of Sicily wants secretary. I can obtain the place for you. If you play your cards well yon can be as comfortable at court as I am."
 Gil Bias accepted the offer. He dis. covered almost at once that his post as secretary really was post as spy The count was grandee whose sttn- giness was secondary only to his de- sire for luxury. As soon as Gil Bias discovered how he could save his mas ter money and still maintain appear ances, he became the favorite, and exchanged his honorable hut unprofit- able post of spy for the post of stew ard. which made him master of his masters purse-and that always is LLe iilOSL uCSAIdhAC pODA6Ohs
 He discovered all the swindles and thefts ofs the other servants and in short time saved the count at least 5000 ducats. You are very foolish" said F'abricio. You are making ene- mics, whereas you might make the rest give you half their winning and have them all as friends You will remain continue to refuse to strip the skip from an eel when you have hold of him."
 Gil Bias laughed - and insisted on remaining honest One day the counts great pet, an extremely ugly ape. be- came III, and Gil Bias. to curry favor with his master, nursed the beast so zealously that he was laid prostrate himself with a violent fever. When he recovered his senses he found him. self in a poor lodging, and was ln- formed that the count, alarmed lest the fevor 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 belong ings, and found nothing. Ills msney and even his garments, had been stolen.
 Penniless as in the beginning, Gil Bias gave way to despair, though he should have remembered that almost every misfortune proves to be the usher for better luck. It was So in this case. He was succored by a friend. who obtained for him a post of great honor-that of paymaster for Don Diego de Monteser, who was secretarq to the Duke of Lerma, the Prime Min ister of Spain.
 A report which he wrote about the ducal finances so impressed the Duke with its clearness that he promoted Gil Bias 10 be his own clerk, and in- trusted him with the work of confpil- ing the reports that came to the Gov ernment daily to show what the gran dees and others of rank were doing to fulfill their obligationS to the King.
 Now that he belonged to the court. Gil Bias felt that he must live up to ] his rank. He took lodginEz in the best