Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-21
RIVALS IN MUSCLE
Augustus of Poland and His Sax
on Captain Were Strong.

On a bitterly cold evening in FebTu-
airy. 1907. a little company of Swedish
dragons. huntsmen and grooms lead
ing extra horses rode across the draw
bridge of the castle of Iiebeverda. on
the hanks of the river Elster. in Sax
ony. They were evidently expected.
for the officer who headed the hunts.
men was conducted into a brilliantly
lighted chamber, where was gathered
a large company of men at arms. His
glances around the room told him that
drinking bout was in progress. and
in the center Of the gay gathering the
visitor beheld the former king of Po-
land-King Augustus. title he after
ward regained.
Advancing TO the place where the roll
licking royal parsonage sat STEPPED in
wine. the Swedish officer. a young man.
but tall and broad shouldered. reported
that his master. King Charles of Swe-
den, would arrive al the castle the fol-
lowing morning to take part In the
boar hunt to which he had been in
Vited.
WhereupoD the ex-king. looking the
young Swedish nobleman over with ap-
praising eye. frowneA then recovered
his composure as he noted the skill
with which the messenger addressed
him without once using the title of
majesty. He was happy. he said
complacently. that King Charles was
coming. and he added. II have been
told that Count Gustaf BerteIsk old
for this was the noble messengers
name-"was valiant participant in
my royal friends boar hunt
As the evening wore on the company
became uoisier and the wine flowed
more freely until at length August
! with gesture that commanded atten-
/ zion. took from the table a silver plate
Without apparent effort he bent the
! plate to 81 roll in~hiS right hand and
/ tossed it as drink money to a servant
Loud cries If Bravo followed this
/ princely achievement. The example
challenged imitation. stockily built
Saxon cavalry captain took from his
pocket a copper coin Turning aside
the tablecIOth. he laid the coin on the
table and with Il mighty blow Of his
fist drove the coin so deep into the
oaken surface Of the table that it stuck
there. New shouts Of applause shook
even the heavy beamed ceiling.
King August then ordered several
horSeshoeS brought in. Looking them
over carefully. he selected one that
suited him and passed II round the
company so that all could see 1t was
he stood up and. bending the shoe
backward and forward in the middle
broke it in two equal pieces and held
them out in either hand to show his
muscles were harder than iron even
Shouts Of approval rose louder thar
ever. goblets were filled and emptied
again, and the stocky Saxon cavalry
captain was heard 70 proclaim that the
king Of Poland should one day break
his enemies weapons as easily as he
breaks an iron horseshoe. at the same
time giving the Swedish count know
ing look.
Count Rprtelskold rose to go. this be-
ing the only reply he considered ap
prOpriate. But the aggressive Saxon
captain blocked his way and shouted:
Upon my honor. | believe the little
Swedish count is afraid of us. Gently
gently. my young friend. Your deli
cate fingers would certainly never
break horseshoe in two. Drink
drink. say, 10 the health of his maj
esty the king of Polandr'
Count Bertelskold's hand went to hi:
sword hiIt like fash. But he check
ed himself. seized goblet and. drain
ing II to the last drop. exclaimed: "A
the request OF this gentleman ! drinl
to the prosperity of his majesty Kinl
Stanisiaus. May he live long ant
reign happily" No deeper insult
could have been offered. for il wal
King Charles Of Sweden who hat
caused Stanislaus to be chosen electOl
of Saxon in place of Augustus.
: Draw" shouted Polish nobleman
confronting Count Bertelskold. 'or. by
heaven, ! will write this toast. lettel
: for letter. in red upon your blue coat!
| 1t was King Augustus who interrupt
ed with the gentle reminder that thu
} Swedish count was their guest
= let u.s." said King Augustus. "rath
er ask him If in the Swedish CAM
= they do not amuse themselves will
t any interesting experiments Of thu
e kind we have Just been having"
q IF my honored host will permit