Morris tribune., 1914-09-04

look at. dare say you've seen dead
men in your time. my lord r. he added,
glancing at the armor.
Many" said the old man. IL have
followed the wars, as you imagine.
Have you any money!"
al have one white" returned the
poet, laughing II got it out of dead
jade's stocking in porch. She was
as dead as Caesar. poor wench, and as
cold as a church. with bits OF ribbon
sticking in her hair. This is hard
world in winter for wolves and wench-
es and poor rogues like me"
ST." said the old man. am Enguer,
rand de la Feuillee, signor de Brise-
tout, bailie du Patatrac, Who and
what may you be?
Villon rose and made a suitable rev.
erence. II am called francis Villon,
be said. "a poor master Of arts OF this
university. know some Latin and
deal OF vice. can make chansons.
ballads, lais. virelais and roundels, and
am very fond of wine. was born
in a garnet, and shall not impr0bably
die upon the gaIIows. | may add. my
! lord, that from this night forward
am your Iordship's very obsequious
servant to command"
mo servant of mine," said the
knight. MY guest for this evening,
and no more"
IA very grateful guest" said villon
politely, and he drank In dumb show
to his entertainer,
"You are shrewd," began the old
man, tapping his forehead, very
shrewd You have learning. You are
clerk. and yet you take small piece
Of money off a dead woman In the
street. Is it not kind Of theftT
ut is kind of theft much practiced
in the wars, my lord"
"The wars are the field Of honor" re-
turned the old man proudly. There
man plays his life upon the cast. he
fights in the name Of his lord the king,
his Lord God, and all their lordships
the holy saints and angels"
"Put It," said Villon, that l were
really thief. should l not play my
life also and against heavier odds?'
For gain, but not for honor"
"Gain" repeated Villon, with a
shrug. Gain! The poor fellow wants
supper and takes it. So does the sol
der in campaign. Why, what are
all these acquisitions we hear SO much
about?"
eaT1hoso +b;nrs oro q rocosSitv of uUar
which the lOwborn must endure with
constancy. Look at us two said his
lordship. 81 am old, strong and hon
ored. II were turned from my house
tomorrow hundreds would be proud to
shelter me- Poor people would go out
and pass the night in the streets with
their children If merely limited that
| wished to be alone And | find you
up, wandering homeless and picking
1 farthings or dead women by the way
side. fear no man and nothing. |
have seen you tremhle and lose. coun-
tenance at a word | walt Gods sum
mons contentedly in my own house. or,
| if it please the king to call me out
again, upon the field OF battle. You
look for the gallows-a rough, swift
death, without hope or honor Is there
no difference between these twO?"
AS far as to the moon" Vilton ac-
quiesced. But if | had been born
Lord of Brisetout and you had been
the poor scholar Francis, should not |
have been the soldier and you the
thiefg'
"a thief?" cried the old man. Il a
thief. If you understood your words
you would repent them"
Villon turned out his hands with a
gesture of inimitabIe impudence. IF
your lordship had done me the honor
to follow my argument" he said.
Il do you too much honor in submit
ting TO your presence" said the knight.
Learn to curb your tongue when yob
speak with old and honorable men. or
some one haStier than | may reprove
you in 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 brighten.
ed for his host. having gagged him as
justly as was possible between two
such different characters. The nigh
was far spent and in very comfort
able fashion after all. and he felt NOR
ally certain of safe departure on the
morrow
Tell me one thing said the ole
man. pausing in his walk. Are you
really thief:"
Il claim the sacred rights of hospi
tality." returned the poet. MY lord
am"
!; You are very young" the knigh
: continued.
Il should never have been so old,
! replied Villon, showing his fingers. Il
$ had not helped myself with these te
: talents. They have been my nursin
/ mothers and my nursing fathers