The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-20

Il should never have been so old,
replied yillon. showing his fingers. If
1 had not helped myself with these ten
talents. They have been my nursing
mothers and my nursing fathers.
You may still repent and change
81 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. if it were only that he may con-
tinue to repent"
'The change must begin in the
heart" returned the old man solemnly.
MY dear lord.' answered Villon. do
you really fancy that steal for pleas
ure: l hate stealing like any other
piece of work or of danger. My teeth
chatter when | see IL gallows. But 1
must eat, l must drink. l must mix
in society of some sort. What the
devil. Man is not IL solitary animal
cut Deus faeminam tradit. Make me
kings panther. make me abbot of st.
Denis. make me bailie of the Patatrac.
and then | shall be changed indeed
But as long as you leave me the poor
scholar Francis Villon. without a far
thing. why. of course, l remain the
same.
1.-The grace of God is all powerful"
az 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 a 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 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 Il word Of true honor,
like darkness at morning Listen to
me once more. l 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
well that hunger is Il difficult trial to
endure, but you do not speak of other
wants. You have totally forgotten the
great and only real ones, like a 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 fill 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 all
this sermoniZing. You think | have
no sense OF honor he cried. I'm
poor enough. God knows. It's hard to
see rich people with their gloves and
you blowing in your hands. An empty
belly is bitter thing. although you
speak so lightly of it. If you had had
as many as /. perhaps you would
change your tune. Anyway. I'm a
thief-make the most of that-but I'm
not a devil from bell. God strike me
dead. l would have you to know I've
an honor of my own as good as yours.
though l don't pirate about 1t all day
long as if it was Gods miracle to
have any. 1t seems quite natural to
me- l keep it 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 at your gold plate.
You're strong. if you like. but you're |
old and unarmed. and have my knife. |
What did l want but "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 1 hadn't wit |
enough to see that? And | scorned |
the action. There are -our ID |
goblets. IFS safe as in Il church: there |
are you. with your heart ticking as |
good as new. and here am |. ready to t
go ont again as poor as I came in. |
with my one white that you threw in |
my teeth. And you think l have no /
sense of honor-tiod 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 OFF |
to his roost. Will You go before or
after?''