The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-10-19
A Prince Poisoner
BY FREDERICK BINGHAM.
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association.

There was time in Italy when the
Italians got rid Of those who stood in
their way by means Of poison.
At that time Italy was divided up
into a 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 it simply to crafty this poison
passion which pervaded Italy at that
time. he had way at feast of
honoring guest in this wise: He
would send his glass to the guest with
his compliments. proposing to change
glasses with him. The guest who &C.
cepted the honor would then rise, bow
and drink from the dukes glass. The
wine in 1t 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 IN
der 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 a table on 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-
TALLY asking her permission he accept
ed it 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 a glass Of wine. The at
tendant, who was the official poisoner,
went out and in a few moments re-
turned with glass Of wine on a
salver.
'Take 1t 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 salver, arose and ad-
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 favor%
| The stranger set both glasses on the
table and replied:
Il ask your highness' pardon. Have
! ofended?'
You have"
'Then I apologize. The ofrense was
unintended."
Taking one Of the glasses from the
table, be placed 1t on the salver, and it
, was taken to the duke, who. half in
toxicated as be 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 a 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 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. l announce myself
Prince Of c.. which l declare a sep
arate principaltty, 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 O.. broke forth in acclama-
tons.
BY the time the populace learned