Judge — August 27, 1898 — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

WIT VERSUS MAGIC. PRITHEE, Sir Galahad,” said the jester, “hast seen aught of a little book which I did leave upon this window-ledge a moment since ?” “ A book !” exclaimed the knight. “ Is England's fool become a clerk?” “Twas but my book of jests, Sir Knight. I fear me some one hath ta’en it, and all the court will think that I do steal my jokes.” “ Fear not, sweet fool; for in all England's realm there be none who read save only the holy priests and Merlin the wizard. The jester grew pale. “ Merlin, sayest thou ?” he groaned.“ Alack! I fear he loves me not. I once in jest did call him fakir, and he was wroth with me.” 6 At this moment a page approached and infotmed the jester that the king desired his presence at once. With quaking heart the fool entered the royal apartment, where he found Merlin, with a malicious smile on his face, show- ing the king the lost book of jests. ‘ “ Varlet,” said the king sternly, “ knowest thou this book ?” “1 do, your majesty,” replied the jester.‘ “Tis my note-book, wherein it is my wont to set down such merry thoughts as come into my mind, that I may remember them and spring them on your majesty.” “A pretty tale!" sneered the wizard. incantations wherewith to work thy evil ends upon the royal household.” “ Your majesty,” answered the jester, “the book itself will witness the truth of what Isay. Let me be judged by that.” “Tis a devil's book, filled with charms and A JUST SENTENCE. “ How did you come to strike this man?” “So be it, the king. “ Read me what is written there.” And he pointed at random toa paragraph, The fool read, ** When is a door not a door? When it is ajar.” “He doth not read aright, your majesty,” objected the wiz- ard. And snatching the book from the jester he read, “* Pro bono publico. E pluribus unum. Et tu, Brute.’ This, your maj- esty, is a most potent charm, which, but for the influence of my mightier magic, would cause fair England's throne to totter.” The king shuddered. “ Mis- creant!” he exclaimed, turning “to the now thoroughly frightened fool. “ Didst think to cozen us with thy wicked lies? What ho, minions! Hale this traitor to the donjon keep.” “One boon I crave, your majesty,” begged the jester, fall- ing on his knees, “Bid the wizard read where I direct him. He called me a Spaniard, judge.” “Six months for letting him off so easily.” If mine innocence be not then proven let me die a traitor’s death.” ‘The request was granted, and with trembling hands the jester opened the book and, pointing to a certain para- graph, handed it to Merlin, The latter glanced at the page designated and smiled. Then, recollecting himself, he tried to assume a stern ex- pression, but in vain. The smile broadened. He chuck- led, laughed, guffawed, and finally rolled on the floor, hold- ing his sides and giving vent to peals of laughter that made the very walls tremble. The king looked on in amazement. “ Wizard," he exclaimed, “thy mirth is most unseemly. Read me what is written in the book. “Your majesty,” interrupted the jester, “the book hath proven mine innocence. I did bid him read my mer- riest jest, the original mother-in-law joke, and he must needs laugh, e’en though it cost his life.” “And that it shall,” exclaimed the king. ‘For this vile plot I'll have his head. Drag him hence.” And tradition says that when the wizard’s head.was brought to the king the face still wore a broad grin, a silent tribute to the jester’s wit. gh iN if ISAAC ANDERSON. SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR. Conen—"*' Hisdory repeads idself,” dey say.” Levy (rapturously)—"" Lofely, lofely ! Shoost t'ink ohf having anoder Chicago fire !" comicbooks.com