Page:Poet Lore, volume 26, 1915.djvu/315

 Karmín.—I’m curious.

Charvát.—The construction of the new fort at Ples which very likely will be named Josefov after our Lord, the Emperor, is progressing very rapidly. We will bury in it several millions but with it we’ll forge for our good Prussian friends a very hard problem. The commander of the fort has now requested the district government to invite the surrounding nobility to contribute in the very near future from their domains, twenty thousand trees for the building of the fort.

Karmín.—Twenty thousand trees

Charvát.—The purchase and delivery of them is of course put in charge of a private commissioner. The district government is only to facilitate the matter. The commissioner will make a few fine groats on the lumber. He can also pay the nobility well—even to those who will see to it that they deliver the desired lumber in time at the fort.

Karmín (With growing attention).—Perhaps we could serve—

Charvát.—If it is possible to deliver within two months five thousand trees from your immense forest domain, the contractor is willing to give to him who takes the pains twenty krejcarý for each tree.

Karmín.—Not five—at least ten thousand trees I could deliver from this estate—if only— —

Charvát.—What hinders?

Karmín.—If only there hadn’t come just now that terrible misfortune in the cutting down of feudal service.

Charvát.—That doesn’t have to be any hindrance.

Karmín.—How so?

Charvát.—His majesty, our beneficent Emperor and King, doesn’t desire that as a result of this change any sudden or great difficulty for the nobility should follow. He orders therefore, in this edict, that noblemen may either grant relief immediately to subjects or wait until half a year has passed. Only then will the patent become an effectual law.

Karmín.—The delivery of the lumber is so important for our nobility that it must be accomplished under our present system of vassal service. Yes, indeed, in order to procure the wood in time we must change the present light field vassalage to six months of heavy forest labor. (Confidentially.) But the Earl will learn nothing of the reward the contractor promises.