The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-08-30
A Prince Poisoner
by FREDERICK BINGHAM.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

- 1883 NAAAe" tAAAJ was Wv HA'A VIZ
Into number OF petty principalities
and dukedoms. These former rulers
are stlll called princes and dukes. but
their power has been merged IN the
king There was formerly grand
duke OF one OF these little territories
whose power was absolute and who
used It simply 20 crafty this poison
passion which peryaded Italy at that
time. He had a way at a feast Of
honoring a guest IN this wise: He
would send his glass TO the guest with
bis compliments. proposing to change
glasses with him. The guest who ac-
copied the honor would then rise, bow
and drink from the dukes glass. The
wine in It would be poisoned and the
last the guest would ever drink.
The dukes domain took IN a princl-
pallty adjoining on the south. the duke
having poisoned all the members OF
the reigning family-saye one princess
land then appropriated their domin.
ion. This princess be brought 10 his
capital and desired to marry her that
be might unite the two countries un-
der a common dynasty. She was I'M
willing. and through motives Of policy
be preferred to wait rather than force
her into the proposed marriage.
Que night while the grand duke was
sitting at a table on a raised dais, a
number OF guests seated at tables be-
meath him. the door opened and a
stranger walked In. unannounced and
unlimited There was a vacant chair
beside the princess. and after deferen-
italy asking her permission he accept
ed 1t and at once entered upon an ami
mated conversation with her.
The grand duke looked on aston
ished and mad with jealousy. While
be was homely and misshapen, the
stranger was astonishingly handsome.
lie paid no more attention TO the host
than II he had not been present. The
duke turned TO one Of his attendants
ana ordered glass Of wine. The at
tendant. who was the official poisoner
went out and in a few moments re-
turned with a glass Of wine on a
salger.
take It to the stranger" said the
duke. with my compliments. and say
that / would pledge him with an ex-
change Of glasses"
The glass. with the message, was
carried to the stranger. who took the
former from the salyer, arose and adj
dressed the duke:
1T would be boldness indeed for me
to drink your highness' wine when the
lady whom you are expected TO honor
with your sovereign hand IS beside
me. | will therefore pass the compli-
ment to her.
Holding the dukes glass In one hand
and his own in the other. he was about
to offer the dukes to the princess when
the duke Numbered:
"Who are you who dares insult. us
by refusing our ducal fayor"
The stranger set both glasses on the
table and replied:
II ask your highness' pardon. Have
offendedT
"You have
.Then ] apologize. The offense was
unintended."
Taking one OF the glasses from the
table. he placed 1t on the salver. and II
was taken to the duke. who, half In
toxicated as he was and irritated with
the man who might have cost the
princess her life. as soon as he saw
that the stranger had pledged him
drank it down. In few minutes his
eyes were starting from his head. his
face became purple, his tongue pro
truded. he fell over dead.
Then at signal from the stranger
several men from among the guests
starting from their seats, drew theiI
swords and stood beside him.
eNy friends" said the stranger, ad
dressing the company. Il am the only
legitimate living male heir to one-hall
4his dukedom. For years ! have been
waiting for the tyrant TO ALLEVIATE you
his subjects. that / might reclaim my
own BY sleight Of hand ! changed
the glasses after setting them on the
4ahle ana sent him back his own glass
r4a has come to his end by drinking
his own poison. | announce myself
Prince Of c.. which ] declare sep
arate municipality. and these gentle
men who have gathered around ms
are nv ministers The princess, my
cousin, will return with me to my cap
itai'
Then the stranger offered his arm Z
tba nrincess. the men who had joined
him surrounded them. and they Waike'
ont Of the room. They had not reached
ne door before the company, glad t
10 rid of the ducai poisoner and i'm
pressed by the noble mien OF TN
prince Of q, broke forth In acclama
tions
nv the time the populace learned
4bat the duke was dead the Prince o
r his cousin and his supporters hat
mounted horses that were STANDING
ready and were galloplng across tn
border. At sunrise from seyera
atowers." as those medieval strong
holds were called. the prince was pro
claimed sovereign Of G.. and his ad
berents sprang to arms to enforce hi
claims.
But the dukedom remained united
the prince being called upon to as
eume the sovereignty left vacant b
the duke as well as Of his own domin
sons ne married his cousin. who i
the female line was the legitimat
rstfnr