CHAPTER IV.
APPEAL FOR HELP.
From the tower of the palace floated a banner—a sign that the king had taken up his residence there. In the royal park, a gentleman in the prime of life was walking. His countenance bespoke a kind disposition, and his dark eyes were full of spirit and intelligence. He sought out the most lonely paths, and seemed lost in thought, while his gaze rested upon the lovely flowers of the forest, the green moss, and the gigantic oaks. Hurried steps are heard coming up the well-gravelled road; joy beams from the face of the gentleman; he stretches out his arms, presses the youthful count to his bosom, and imprints a kiss upon his forehead.
“Have you come at last, my Adolph? How fresh and handsome you look!”
“No wonder, your majesty! I drink water, and eat potatoes with sour milk,” replied the count merrily.
They walked on arm in arm. The count was distantly related to the king, who was a great lover of art, and therefore took pride in the poetic talents of his young relative.
“For how long has your majesty freed yourself from the affairs of state?” asked Adolph.
“For two weeks—a short time. Even here I cannot rest; I have promised an audience to many persons.”
“Why did you promise?”
“Because those who wish to see me belong to a powerful organization,” replied the king. “The grandmaster of all the Freemasons of the country will present an address to me—in two days, I believe.”
“The grandmaster?” exclaimed the count, taking his portfolio from under his arm. “These leaves contain both good and bad. To keep either secret from the king would be treason, and on my part a great violation of my duty as his friend.”
“Have you written a drama?”
“Yes, your majesty; or rather, I have copied one; you also are one of the actors, as well as the grandmaster. Can I begin to read?”
“Certainly; I am most anxious to hear what you have written.”
Von Scharfenstein, after a few words of introduction, described his hiding-place in the forest, and the circle of unsuspecting Freemasons assembled at his feet. He then commenced to read. The king listened with undivided attention. Gradually a dark frown settled upon his brow.
“Many thanks for your valuable communication,” said he, when Von Scharfenstein had finished reading. “So I am a narrow-minded man who does not rule, but is ruled! Outrageous impertinence!”
“It is contemptible and vulgar; but what else do you expect from Freemasons!” answered the count.
“And these very Freemasons are always professing to be the most obedient servants of the crown,” said the indignant king. “They are constantly clamoring about the dangerous designs of Rome upon other governments, and they also pretend to decry the intrigues of the ultramontanes!”
“In reality,” replied Von Scharfenstein, “it is these men of the trowel and apron who undermine the authority of the crown; they make the people hate their rulers, they violate and wound the holiest feelings of subjects, and they do this clothed in the garment of official authority. I will give you an example.” And the count related the forcible expulsion of the Jesuit father, and the request of the inhabitants of Weselheim.
The king walked a few steps in silence.
“Justice shall be given to the oppressed, and punishment to the guilty,” said he, and then turned towards the palace.
Two days later, the councilmen left their village, dressed in their best attire, and carrying with them the prayers of all the inhabitants. The burgomaster led the procession, followed by the others, until they entered the royal park. The nearer they approached the palace, the slower were the footsteps of the men; for it is no trifling matter for humble subjects to enter the presence of their king.
“George, do justice to our cause!” said Ewald to the burgomaster.
“I will do all that I can, but you must help me!” And the burgomaster wiped the perspiration from his forehead.
They walked in respectful silence upon the clean gravel-path that led to the palace. At some distance from them, they espied their good friend Count von Scharfenstein coming up a by-road. He saw the diffidence of the men, and saluted them kindly, in order to infuse new courage into them.
“The parish of Weselheim is held in high estimation by the king, for he only gives audience here to princes and to very intimate friends,” said he. “Therefore, you must speak freely to him. The king likes a plain and truthful statement of facts. At the same time, my friends, the question is, Can the king help you, that is, for any time to come? There is only one thing which will be of help.”
“What does your lordship mean?” inquired Keller.
“I mean that the Freemasons and liberals aim at the destruction of religion. They have worked at this for many years, and not in vain. They have succeeded in expelling in many places a large number of priests from the schools, so that the children, if possible, may grow up without religion. They have declared war against conscientious bishops and priests. At present they have driven out the Jesuits, because they are very active and zealous in the discharge of their duty. After the Jesuits will follow the other religious orders, then the seminaries will be closed, bishops and priests will be deprived of their rights, and the church as they imagine, will be rendered helpless. It is a most cruel tyranny, and a real stigma upon the German name; but what can be done? The tyrants are all powerful.”
“Our gracious king can put a stop to their wickedness,” said the burgomaster.
“You are mistaken,” replied Scharfenstein. “The king cannot do everything. He has sworn to uphold the constitution, and he must keep his oath. If, therefore, the representatives of the country, the Chamber of Deputies, make laws hostile to religion, the king is often obliged to confirm them. Consequently, only one thing can really help you.”
“And what is it, if we are permitted to ask your lordship?”
“It is for you to exercise more prudence in the elections for the Chamber and the Diet. Send pious, religious men as your representatives to the Diet, and then your religion will not be insulted, and you will have good laws. Why are the Freemasons now in the ascendency in the Chamber, in the ministry, in the government, everywhere? And who are to blame for it? The people, yes, the people have given the reins to their bitterest enemies. If the Catholic people had elected proper representatives, the Freemasons and liberals would never have become so powerful. If, therefore, the enemies of religion use their power for the destruction of the church and of religious belief, it is very natural, and the careless indifference of the people is the cause of their triumph.”
“Your lordship is right,” answered the burgomaster.
“It will be very different at the next election,” said the other men.
“I hope so,” remarked Von Scharfenstein. “Remember what I tell you. Only one thing will be of lasting benefit to you, and that is to send practical Catholics to the Diet; and this you can do if you choose. Unscrupulous men who do not believe in God, in eternal reward or punishment, do not hesitate to deprive the people of their religious rights, to impose oppressive taxes upon them, and to make slaves of free men!”
The villagers acquiesced in what was said.
“I wish that we had never believed the sweet-sounding words of the liberals and their lying newspapers,” remarked Ewald. “We must really confess that, as a people, we are too ignorant, and allow ourselves to be too easily duped.”
“It is time for you to become prudent,” replied the count.
The deputation had now reached the palace.
“Do you see the man with the long official staff in his hand, standing there in the hall? Tell him who you are, and he will take care of you.” Saying this, Von Scharfenstein saluted them, and returned to the park.