St Johns College - Ozanam Yearbook (Toledo, OH)

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28 THE OZANAM But the great moment in the cele- bration had arrived, the hour of Ar- thur's triumph was come. Shortly after the sun had reached its peak the inhabitants of the city began to flock in a steady stream toward a large field on the outskirts of the town. The courtiers of the king, the officers as well as the rank and File of the army, in fact, all who supported the new sovereign, were present. From a large pit in the center of the field came the appetizing odor of bar- becued steer, while off in one corner was a huge vat of the beverage that had lifted Arthur to power-egg-nog. In fact so much of this wonderful nec- tar had been prepared that all the eggs in the realm had been used up. Not another one could be found. This vat was in charge of One-eyed Mike, a former retainer of Arthur's prede- cessor. As soon as the people arrived they headed for the pit, for the egg-nog was to be a surprise. No one noticed the ensuing activity around the vat, and none would have cared if he had, ex- cepting Arthur and the few who were in his confidence. And yet something suspicious was happening there. One-eyed Mike, who should have guarded the interests of the king slipped over to an opening in the fence where he conferred for a moment with Bill the Black Knight, who seemed to materialize out of nothing, so careful had been his ap- proach. A few words were exchanged and then Bill vanished for a few seconds only to return bearing a keg, which he passed through the opening to the waiting Mike. On the side of the keg in small letters was printed the one word NOG. Slipping stealthily back to his post, Mike poured the contents of the keg into the vat. Then he sneaked away for his vi11ain's work was done and if it were to miscarry he had no wish to face the wrath of the outraged king. After the meal was over, the popu- lace proceeded to carry out the pro- gram of the day, which consisted of races and other field sports, which are amusing but conducive to a tremen- dous thirstg then led by Arthur in person they all streamed over to sam- ple the contents of the vat. The effect was immediate and fear- ful. In a few moments every person present was sprawled upon the ground in a profound sleep. One-eyed Mike's work had been well done. The addition of too much nog to the egg- nog had had its full effect, and all the friends of Arthur were in a coma, while Bill the Black Knight was speeding to join his army, encamped several miles away, to lead them down on the devoted citizens of Camelot. But all was not yet lost. The Prov- idence which sometimes interferes to put to naught the machinations of de- signing rascals here introduced a new factor. Little Foe Feak, the capable secretary of Merlin, had been forced to remain in town in connection with some business of his employer, and in consequence he arrived just too late to be one of the victims of One-eyed Bike's treachery. Little joe was struck with horror at the sight. He was puzzled too, un- til he remembered the strange men- at-arms whom he had seen roaming around the vicinity of late, often in the company of Black Bill. His sus- picions aroused, he fied to seek the advice of his master. jumping into a nearby taxi whose driver was in no

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Merlin Struts His Stuff By GERALD M. SULLIVAN The day of celebration had arrived. The streets of Camelot were packed with merry-makers who filled the air with dust and the sounds of revelry. Flags were draped over balcony railsg streamers extended over the whole width of the road. Parking space was at a premium, for every one with an ounce of patriotism or a liking for egg-nog had come to the city to wit- ness the crowning of Arthur Rex, the man who had delivered Britain from tyranny and-most wonderful of all- had made eggs palatable by inventing egg-nog. Friends and enemies of the Arthurian regime, all alike were mixed in a heterogeneous mass of heaving, pushing humanity. One face alone was missing from that huge assembly. Merlin the friend of Arthur, and the most famous jug- gler and magician of his day, was un- able to be present. Due to his per- sonal interest in the events which had raised Arthur to the throne, he had been unable to practice any new tricks for the mystification of the public during his approaching engagement on the Plantagenet Vaudeville Cir- cuit. Hence it was extremely neces- sary that he go somewhere, far from the maddening crowd to prepare a new act. This meant a slight financial loss to Merlin as he was accustomed, on such gala days, to sit behind his lit- tle green table, and there match his wits and quickness of hand against the gullibility of the general public. Now, however, we find him in his summer cottage by the sea, busily at work, posed before his mirror, he is rehearsing his pattern and studying the rhetorical effects. Here we must leave him for awhile and return to Arthur, that gallant gentleman who is so soon to be embroiled in a highly mysterious and equally dangerous in- trigue. As we have hinted before, not all those who visited Camelot on that oc- casion were motived by love for Ar- thur. The abdication and subsequent death of the old tyrant were too fresh in the minds of the 1atter's friends that they should readily forgive one whom they regarded as an usurper and an upstart. The son and heir-appar- ent of the old king was especially in- terested in a possible return of the ancient regime, and being a crafty rogue and of pleasing personality he had no lack of followers. In appearance he was rather hand- someg large and well set up he gave no outward show of the jealousy and hatred that was gnawing at his vitals, and yet an observant person might re- mark that the associates of his youth had had a reason in mind when they conferred upon him the nickname, Bill, the Black Knight. Undoubt- edly there was something in his char- acter, something shameful which he had been unable to conceal from the companions of his boyhood. Thus we have the setting of our tale, Merlin, the most powerful friend of Arthur, absent at an important date in the life of the nationg Bill, the Black Knight, concealing his chagrin beneath a mask of innocence and good-fellowship. Surely the clouds of adversity are piling up in the skies of the luckless Arthur.

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THE OZANAM 29 condition to handle his business, he whipped up the horses, and departed in a great cloud of dust. While Bill was bending every effort to reach his army and bring them to the attack, joe Feak was risking his loyal neck to succor the king, but for him the diihculties were almost too great. He must iirst reach Merlin at the seashore and then with horses al- ready badly winded they must rush Black Knight. And yet he pressed on. Suddenly, as he dashed along a nar- row trail, a figure popped up from behind a roadside bush and hailed him. It was Merlin. Great Scott! exclaimed Joe quiet- ly. How did you get here? I thought you were at the seashoref' I was, returned the famous magi- cian, But I caught a few thought waves from you that told me you needed me, so here I am. You always get thought waves better by the seashoref' he continued, half to himself. But tell me what the trouble is. Soon Merlin was acquainted with all the details of Arthur's perilous situation, and he wasted no time in futile conversation. Get out of that cab! he command- ed shortly. Those horses are tired and we need faster transportation at any rate. Here get up close and hold on to my hand. Joe had hardly touched the necro- mancer's hand before he felt himself flying through space at a tremendous rate of speed, forest, meadow, river, all were passed so quickly that they presented just a confused blur to his eyes. It fact it seemed hardly a mo- ment when they were standing in the field with Arthur's unconscious sub- jects all around them, so rapid had been their flight. Merlin went to work at once, after a brief examination he announced that all were suffering from the addition of too much nog to their drink. Only the immediate treatment of forcible feeding with an egg can bring them back to consciousness, he an- nounced. And all the eggs in the kingdom were used in making this egg-nog! That is a problem worthy of my talents. For a moment he stood considering his course of action, and then, without undue delay he made his dispositions. He sent Joe to his town house to get the stage equipment, for such a deed as he contemplated re- quired adequate tools. As soon as joe returned Merlin began the most im- portant act of his career. Now Joe, he stated, One of the requirements of this act is that an audience be present, so you'll have to be the audience. Take your seat right up front, please. Having said this he arranged his equipment, consisting of a green covered table and a high hat, of that type known as a stove- pipe. Then he began his operations. His voice took on a singsong toneg his eyes were bright and flashing while he quivered from head to foot with nervous energy. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. Notice, ladies and gentlemen, that I have nothing up my sleeves. Now it is impossible for me to introduce any trickery. What you are now to witness will be an exhibit of pure magic, such as has never been wit- nessed on any stage before. I only do this here because I appreciate the in- telligence of you people of Camelot and I know you will realize what a