Oxford Democrat., 1914-08-11


"As far ns to the moon." Villon ac'
ouiesced. But II l had been born
Lord of Brisetout and you had been
the Door scholar Francis, should not
have been the soldier and you the
thiefY
"A theft" cried the old man. Il a
thief! II you understood your words
you would repent them"
villon turned out his hands with
gesture of inimitable impudence. "If
your lordship had dom me the honor
to follow my argument" he said.
81 do you too much honor in submit
ting to your presence" said the knight.
Learn to curb your tongue when you
speak with old and honorable men. or
some one hastier than I may reprove
you In a sharper fashion" And he
rose and paced the lower end Of the
apartment. struggling with anger and
antipathy. villon surreptitiously refill
ed his cup and settled himself more
comfortably in the chair. crossing his
knees and leaning his head upon one
hand and the elbow against the back
of the chair. He was now replete and
warm, and he was In nowise frighten-
ed for his host. having gauged him as
Justly as was possible between two
such different characters. The night
was far spent. and In very comfort
able fashion after all. and he felt NOR.
ally certain Of n safe departure on the
morrow.
"Tell me one thing" said the old
man. pausing in his walk. "Are you
really thief"
81 claim the sacred rights Of hospi-
tality." returned the poet. My lord.
am"
"You are very young" the knight
continued.
"I should never have been 50 DID,
replied villon. showing his fingers. "if
I had not helped myself with these ten
talents. They have been my nursing
mothers and my nursing fathers
"You may still repent and change"
II repent daily" said the poet.
"There are few people more given to
repentance than poor Francis. As for
change, let somebody change my cir
cumstances. A man must continue to
eat, II it were only that he may con-
tinue to repent"
"The change must begin In the
heart" returned the old man solemnly.
"SIy dear lord" answered Villon. do
you really fancy that steal for pleas
ure? l hute stealing like any other
piece Of work or OF danger. My teeth
chatter when | see u gallows. But
must eat. must drink. must mix
In society Vt some sort. What the
devil. Man is not Il solitary animal
cui Deus faeminam tradit. Make me
kings panther. make me abbot OF st.
Denis, make me bailie Of the Patntrac.
and then | shall be changed indeed.
But as long as you leave Inc the poor
scholar Francis Villon. without far
thing, why. Of course, remain the
same"
'sThe grace Of God is all powerful"
"I should be hereto to question
IL" said Francis. ut has made you
lord of Brisetout and bailie Of the l'ata'
trac. 1t has given me nothing but the
quick wits under my hat and these
ten toes upon my hands. May help
myself to wine? I thank you respect
fully. BY Gods grace, you have n very
superior vintage"
The lord Of Brisetout walked Ia and
fro with his hands behind his back.
| Somehow he yenrned to convert the
young man to II better way OF think
| ing and could not make UP his mind
| TO drive him forth again into the street.
There Is something more than can
| understand in this" he said ut length.
| "Your mouth Is full Of subtleties. and
the devil has led you very far nstray.
but the devil IL only very weak spirit
| before Gods truth. and all his subtle
| ties vanish mt Il word Of true honor.
| like darkness ut morning. Listen to
me once more. learned long ago that
a gentleman should live chivalrously
and lovingly to God and the king and
his lady, and, though have seen many
strange things done. have still striv-
en- to command my ways upon that
rule. 1t is not only written In all no
BILE histories. but In every mans heart.
IL he will take care to read. You speak
Of food and wine, and | know very
we'll that hunger Is difficult trial to
endure, but you do not speak OF other
wants. You have totally forgotten the
great and only real ones. like Il man
who should be doctoring toothache on
the Judgment day. for such things as
honor and love and faith are not only
nobler than food and drink. but in
deed | think we desire them more ana
suffer more sharply for their absence
speak to you rs think you will most
easily understand me. Are YOU not
while careful to Oil your belly. disre
garding another appetite in your heart
which spoils the pleasure OF your life
and keeps you continually wretched!
Villon was sensibly nettled under al
this sermonizing. "You think have
no sense Of honOrw he cried. I'm
Door enough. God knows! It's hard tc
see rich people with their gloves and
you blowing in your hands. An empty
belly Is a bitter thing. although you
speak 30 lightly Of 1T. II you had had
as many as I. perhaps you would
change your tune. Anyway. I'm q
thief-make the most Of that-but I'm
not a devil from hell. God strike me
dead! would have you to know I've
an honor Of my own as good as yours
though l don't prate about 1t all On!
long as II 1t was a Gods miracle t.
have any. 1t seems quite natural tc
me. keep 1t in its box till it's want
ed. Why. now. look you here. how
long have been In this room with YOU
Did you not tell me you were alone In
the house? Look ut your gold plate
You're strong. II you like, but you're
old and unarmed. and have my knife
What did want but jerk OF the
elbow and here would have been yOt
with the cold steel In your bowels, anc
there would have been me. linking II
the streets. with an armful or Colder
Guns. Did you suppose hadn't Wi
enough to see that? And | scornet
the action. There are your ID