Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-01-14
HlistsIlaaeaas geading.
IN DAYS OF STRONG MEN
Marvellous Feats by PoIanders outdone
by Swedish Officer.


ing extra horses, rode across the draw
bridge of the castle OF Liebeverda, on
| the banks of the River Elster, In Sax
ony. Darkness was falling, but 1t was
| evident that the hunting party was not
I unexpected, for attendants at the castle
met and conducted the half dozen Visi-
tors into warm rooms.
The officer in blue riding uniform,
who headed the huntsmen, paused
moment in the lighted hallway to brush
the travel stains from his clothes. Then
he was conducted into brilliantly
lighted chamber, where was gathered
large company Of men-at-arms. The
handsome and knighrly figure Of the
visitor showed him to be of noble birth.
His glances round the room told him
that a drinking bout was in progress,
and in the center Of the gay gathering
about the food and drink laden board,
the visitor beheld the former king of
Poland-King Augustus, a title he af-
terward regained.
| Advancing to the place where the roll
licking, royal parsonage sat STEPPED In
wine, the Swedish officer, young man,
but tall and broad shouldered, delivered
a message. The burden Of 1t was that
his master, King Charles Of Sweden,
would arrive at the castle the following
morning to take part in the boar hunt
to which he had been invited, and he
1 hio ioofv'c huntc-
men, horses and hounds had arrived.
| Whereupon the ex-king, looking the
young Swedish nobleman over with
appraising eye, frowned, then recover
ed 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: Il have been
told that Count Gustaf Bertelskold"-
for this was the noble messengers
name, and the ex-king Of Poland dis
played his ready memory in recalling
it-"that Count Bertelskold was vail
ant participant in my royal friends
bear hunts It will be an honor to the
wild boars Of Saxony to be laid low by
so experienced an adversary"
Not being so keen at repartee, Count
Bertelskold made no reply other than
profound bow, and, with this slight in
terruption, the carousal went on with
gay jest, laughter and the draining OF
many f1agons.
AS the evening wore on the company
became noisier and the wine flowed
more freely, until at length Augustus,
with a gesture that commanded atten-
ton, took from the table silver plate.
without apparent effort he bent the
plate to a roll in his right hand and
tossed it as drink money to servant.
Loud cries of "Bravo!" followed this
princely achievement The example
challenged imitation. A stockily y-built
Saxon cavalry captain took from his
pocket copper coin. Turning aside the
tablecoth, he laid the coin on the table
and with a 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 Augustus, feeling stronger than
before, ordered several horseshoes
brought in Looking them over careful
ly, he finally selected one that suited
him and passed 1t round the company
so that all could see 1t was good and
strong and a perfect horseshoe in ev-
cry way. Then he stood up, and bend
ing 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 than
ever, goblets were filled and emptied
again. And the stocky Saxon cavalry
captain was heard tc 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 Bertelskold rose to CO. this be-
ing the only reply he considered appro-
pirate. But the aggressive Saxon cap
tain blocked his way and shouted:
Upon my honor, believe the little
Swedish count is afraid Of us. Gently,
gently, my young friend. Your delicate
virgin fingers would certainly never
break horseshoe in two. Drink! Drink,
l say, to the health Of his majesty, the
king of Poland! Why, the Swedish boy
has not emptied single honest beaker
yeti"
Count Bertelskold's hand went to his
sword hilt like flash. But he checked
himself, seized a goblet, and draining it
to the last drop, exclaimed: AT the re-
quest of this gentleman, drink to the
prosperity of his majesty, King Stanis-
laus. May he live long and reign hap
pily!" No deeper Insult could have been
offered, for it was King Charles of
Sweden who had caused Stanislaus to
be chosen elector of Saxony in place of
Augustus.
Draw" shouted a Polish nobleman,
confronting Count BertelsKold, or, py
heaven, will write this toast, letter for
letter, in red upon your blue coat"
1t was King Augustus who interrupt
ed with the gentle reminder that the
Swedish count was their guest.
Let u.s." said King Augustus, rather
ask him if in the Swedish camp they do
not amuse themselves with any inter-
esting experiments Of the kind we have
just been having"
IF my honored host WIFI permit" re-
piled Count Bertelskold. Il will attempt
something that is customary with u.s."
Yes, do so, my dear count" replied
the king, glad to turn the threatened
blood letting into jest.
by all means!" roared the bystand-
ers.
Bertelskold looked around him mo-
ment without replying. Then, suddenly