Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-10-08


their way by means Of poison.
At that time Italy was divided up
into n number of petty principalities
and dukedoms These former rulers
are still called princes and dukes, but
their power has been merged in the
king. There was formerly a grand
duke of one of these little territories
whose power was absolute and who
used 1t simply to crafty this poison
passion which peryadcd Italy at that
time. He had way at feast Of
honoring a guest in this wise: He
would send his glass to the guest with
his 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 princi
pality adjoining on the south, the duke
having poisoned all the members of
the reigning family-save one princess
and then appropriated their domin-
ion. This princess he brought to his
capital and desired to marry her that
he might unite the two countries I'M
der a common dynasty. She was un-
willing, and through motives of policy
he preferred to wait rather than force
her into the proposed marriage
One night while the grand duke was
sitting at n table on a raised daiS, a
number of guests seated at tables be
meath him, the door opened and q
stranger walked in, unannounced and
unlimited. There was a vacant chair
beside the princess, and after dcfcren-
TALLY 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
he was homely and miSShapen, the
stranger was astoniShingly handsome.
He paid no more attention to the host
than if he had not been present. The
duke turned to one Of his attendants
and ordered q glass Of wine. The at
tendant, who was the official poiSoncr,
went out and in a few moments re
turned with glass of wine on a
Salyer.
Take it to the stranger" said the
duke, with my compliments, and say
that l would pledge him with an cX-
change Of glasses"
The glass, with the message, was
carried to the stranger, who took the
former from the salver, arose and ad-
dressed the duke:
ut would be holiness 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 thundered:
"Who are you who dares insult us
by refusing our ducal favor?'
The stranger set both glasses on the
table and replied:
81 ask your highness' pardon. Have
offended"
L e.
"Then ! apologize. The offense was
unintended."
Taking one of the glasses from the
table, he placed it on the salver. and it
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 a 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 their
swords and stood beside him.
my friends" said the stranger, ad-
dressing the company, II am the only
legitimate living male heir to one-half
this dukedom. For years | have been
waiting for the tyrant to ALLEVIATE you.
his subjects, that l might reclaim my
own. BY sleight of hand | changed
the glasses after setting them on the
table and sent him back his own glass
He has come to his end by drinking
his own poison. ! announce myself
Prince of c., which | declare Il sep
arate principality. and these gentle
men who have gathered around me
are my ministers. The princess, my
cousin. will return with me TO my cap
ital."
Then the stranger offered his arm to
the princess, the men who had joined
him surrounded them. and they walked
out of the room. They had not reached
the door before the company, glad to
be rid of the ducal poisoner and i'm
pressed by the noble mien Of the
Prince of c., broke forth in acclama-
lions.
BY the time the populace learned
that the duke was dead the Prince Of
c., his cousin and his supporters had
mounted horses that were standing
ready and were galloping across the
border. At sunrise from several
towers" as those medieval strong
holds were called, the prince was pro
claimed sovereign of c., and his ad
herents sprang to arms to enforce his
claims.
But the dukedom remained united,
the prince being called upon to as
sumo the sovereignty left vacant by
the duke as well as OF his own domin-
ions. He married his cousin. who in