Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-08-16
AScapegoat
BY ALBERT TUCKER KENYON
Copyright. 1910, by AM
Association

TO the rest of the world
A soldier in the foreign legion con-
spicuous for his refined appearance
passed under the name of Franz Lud-
wig. He would not admit the country
from which be hailed, and since he
spoke several languages equally well
it was impossible for any one 20 fix
upon the land of his nativity.
This is the story Of the so called
Franz Ludwig:
HIS real name was Count Joseph
Zadsky. He had been honored by the
intimate friendship of the crown prince
Of his native land. The prince and he
rode together, hunted together - in
short, all their amusements we're in
common. The count was engaged to
marry the Baroness Sophia daughter
~ a prominent member OF the SOW
eretgn's household
The crown pTscee was possessed by
passion for gambling. He did not at
teld the public gambling places so
plentiful in Europe. His habit was to
play either in his own palace or wher.
ever he was invited. One afternoon
he was playing in the home cf no
bleman where horse party had been
invited to meet him. The prince was
playing with bad luck and was drink
ing heavily Several of the guests
were also under the influence of LIQUOR.
Count Zadsky was present and, fear
ing that something would occur to Gre
ate scandal, begged his royal high
ness to retire from the game. The
prince refused, and the game went on.
The excitement increased, both with
the increase OF stakes and spirits con
sumed. But now the prince was win
ming.
These cards are marked" suddenly
shouted one Of the party. There are
little protnberances on their backs"
IF you can feel them" said Zadsky,
'you must have cut down the skin of
one of your fingers for the purpose.
And if you have done that you have
introduced the cards into the game"
Amid hubbub the cards were ex-
amined and We're found to have been
made for the purpose of swindling
Then zadsky said
"All show the tips of your fingers"
Every man present made the dis
play except the crown prince. His ex-
preston betrayed him, but his tongue
came TO his defense
Gentlemen" he said. "do you ask
the heir apparent to the throne to ex-
onerate himself from cheating at
cards"
Zldsky was dumfounded. There
was silence Then the party arose
from the table and separated.
The story got out, and the privy
council was convened to consider
what action should be taken. Some
way of generating the prince must be
devised. The people were loyal 10 the
crown. but it would never do for one
who must soon sit upon the throne to
appear before the people as a user of
marked cards. The council assembled
and, summoning all the men who had
been of the gambling party, examined
them separately
When Count Zadsky was examined
one Of the first questions asked was
this:
How did you know that gamblers
using such cards as were used on this
occasion pare the tips of their fingers
to make them sensitive to the touchY'
81 knew it, as / know Of any other
fact Of which / have heard"
you were the person who an
nounced the fact that pared finger tips
go with these cards 10 the party, were
you not?"
81 was"
"And called upon the others, includ-
ing his royal highness, to show their
fingers?'
81 did"
THAT will do"
The council after examining the wit
nesses continued its deliberations in
secret and broke up without giving out
any information as to its conclusions.
But the next morning Zadsky was
banished from the court, and the peo-
pie breathed freely once more that
their prospective ruler had been vim
dictated.
One morning the soldier in the for
eign legion wrote a communication to
the president Of France. At the same
time the president received a call from
member Of the diplomatic corps.
The result Of the. Communication and
the visit was tAa nsgyarding Of dis
charge papers to fsFate Franz Lud-
wig, and be left trfb corps with the
congratulations Of his comrades.
what does 1t mean 2" asked his cap
tain.
Have you not heard that the crown
prince Of - is deadT
YES. 1t Is given out that he died
Of an aneurism, but it has been said
that be committed suicide after a de-
bauch. But what has that to do with
your discharge"
at has this to do with il: The crown
prince VIII not be a sovereign. He
vii be nothing, at least on earth.
cloud resting On me has
been removed. l shall go TO the cap
ital and receive an important appoint
ment"
"vellY'
That's ALL"
Count Zadsky's prophecy was veri-
fed. He returned TO the capital, was
appointed as be predicted and married
the Baroness Sophia.