The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-04-24

IKE 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.
II he will take care to read. You speak
OF food and wine, and l 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 q 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 Oil your belly. disre-
garding another appetite in your heart.
which spells the pleasure Of your life
and keeps you continually wretched?"
Villon was sensibly nettled under all
this sermonizing. You think l have
no sense Of honor!" he cried. I'm
poor enough. God knows! It's hard to
SEQ rich people with their gloves and
you blowing in your hands. An empty
belly is bitter thing. although you
speak so lightly Of it. IL you had had
as many as !. perhaps you would
change your tune. Anyway. I'm IL
thief-make the most of that-but I'm
not devil from hell. 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 prate about it all day
long as If 1t was Gods miracle to
have any. 1t seems quite natural to
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 at your gold plate!
You're strong. If you like. but you're
old and unarlned. and have my knife.
What did want but 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 hadn't wit
enough to see that? And | scorned
the action. There are your ID
goblets. us safe us in church: there
are you, with your heart ticking as
good rs new. and here am l, ready to
go out again rs poor us came in.
with my one white that you threw In
my teeth: And you think l 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 n rogue, my man.
IN impudent and black hearted rogue
and vagabond. I have passed an hour
with you. Oh. believe me, feel my
self disgrnced: And you have eaten
and drunk ut my table. But now am
sick ut your presence. The dny has
come and the night bird should be Off
to his roost. Will you 60 before Or
after?"
(Which you please." returned the
poet rising. II believe you to be strict
ly honorable" He thoughtfully emp
tied his cup. II wish could add you
were Intelligent" he went on. knock.
ing on his head with his knuckles
Age. age: the brains stiff and rheu
matic!!s
God pity you" snid the lord OF
Brisetout ut the door,
"Goodby. papa" returned Villon,
with yawn, MANY thanks for the
cold mutton"
The door closed behind him. The
dawn wns breaking over the white
roofs. A chill. uncomfortable morning
ushered In the dry. Villon stood aud
heartily stretched himself in the mid
die of the road.
"A very dull old gentleman" he
thought. II wonder what bis goblets
may be worth?"
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