Morris tribune., 1914-09-04
ling. WEy. Of e0UFss, I rsmaIn the


ST should be hereto to question
It." said Francis. 1T has made you
lord Of Brisetout and bailie OF the Pata-
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? | thank you respect
fully BY Gods grace, you have very
superior vintage
The lord of Brisetout walked to and
fro with his hands behind his back.
| Somehow he yearned to convert the
young man to 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 be said at length
''Your mouth is full OF subtieties. and
the devil has led you very far astray,
but the devil is only very weak spirit
before Gods truth. and all his subtle
ties vanish at a word Of true honor,
like darkness at morning. Listen to
me once more. ! learned long ago, that
a gentleman should live chlvalrously
and lovingly to God and the king and
his lady, and, though I have seen many
strange things d0ne, | have still striv-
en- to command my ways upon that
rule 1t is not only written In all no
bic histories but in every mans heart,
IL be will take care to read. You speak
! of food and wine, and | know very
well 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 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 and
suffer more sharply for their absence
speak to you as think you will most
easily understand me. Are you not
while careful to ill your belly, disre-
garding another appetite in your heart
which spoiIs the pleasure Of your life
and keeps you continually wretched?
villon was sensibly nettled under all
this sermonizing. you think have
no sense of honorr' he cried. "Tm
poor enough, God knows! Its hard to
see rich people with their gloves and
you blowing In your hands An empty
! belly is a bitter thing, although you
| speak SO lightly OF it. If you had had
as many as 1, perhaps you would
change your tune. Anyway, I'm
thiec-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 | don't pirate about it all day
long as if it was Gods miracle to
have any. 1t seems quite natural to
me. / Keep It In its box till it's want
ed. Why. now, look you here, how
long have been Id tails room with yOu7
Did you not tell me you were alone in
the house2 Look at your gold plate!
You're strong, IL you like. but you're
old and unarmed. and have my knife.
What did i want bat a jerk Of the
elbow and here would have been you
with the cold steel in your bowels and
there would have been me. linking in
the streets, with an armful Of golden
cups. Did you suppose l hadn't wit
|
the action. There are -FOUR id
goblets, as safe as in church: there
are you, with your heart ticking as
good as new, and here am l, ready to
go out again as poor as came in.
with my one white that you threw in
my teeth! And you think have no
sense of honor-God strike me dead!
The old man stretched out his right
arm. Il will tell you what you are"
he said. "You are a rogue, my man.
an impudent and black hearted rogue
and vagabond. | have passed an hour
with you Oh. believe me. feel my
self disgraced! And you have eaten
and drunk at my table. But now | am
sick at your presence The day has
come and the night bird should be of
to his roost Will you go before or
after?"
Which you please" returned the
poet rising. 81 believe you to be strict
tied his cup. II wish could add you
! were intelligent be went on, knock
ing on his head with his knuckles
Age. age; the brains stiff and rheu
matic"
God pity you" said the lord Of
Brisetout at the door.
"Goodby. papa" returned Villon
with a yawn Many thanks for the
cold mutton" ta
The door closed behind him. The
) dawn was breaking over the white
roofs A chill uncomfortable morning
! ushered in the day. vilion stood anC
heartily stretched himself in the mid
die OF the road.
"A very dull old gentleman" hG
thought. Il wonder what his gobletl
may be worth?"