Count Ulrich of Lindburg | Page 6

for man by Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, on the cross, and the complete justification of all who repent and
put faith in that sacrifice. That is what Dr Martin Luther teaches. He
says that no man should venture to come between the sinner and God;
that Christ is the only one Mediator--the go-between, you understand--
that He is all-loving, and all-merciful, and all-kind, that by any one else
interfering He is insulted, and that all indulgences, penances, works, are
the devices of the Evil One to make man lose sight of the full, free, and
perfect redemption which Christ has wrought for us."
"That sounds like a good doctrine," observed Hans, thoughtfully, "the
`pfaffen' will not like it, because it will deprive them of their influence
and the chief portion of their gains; but how do you know that it is the
true one, my young master?"

"Because it is in the Word of God, the Bible. And I am very certain that
God, who has done so much for us, would not have left us without a
clear statement of His will--clear rules for our guidance, and therefore I
believe that the Bible is the Word of God," observed Eric.
Hans rode on in silence. He was meditating on his young master's
remarks. They had not gone more than a league or two when some
sharp cries reached their ears. They came from some person before
them. They rode on, and arrived in sight of a big youth who was
belabouring with a thick stick, in the middle of the road, a young boy.
The boy had something under his cloak, which the youth was insisting
on his keeping concealed. Eric's generous feelings were at once excited.
He could never bear to see the strong tyrannising over the weak. He
rode forward and demanded of the big lad why he was thus ill-treating
the little one. The youth did not reply, but looked up sulkily at him.
Eric turned to the little fellow.
"This is the reason, noble sir," answered the boy, "he is my `bacchante,'
and I am a poor little `schutz.' We are poor scholars seeking education
at the schools. For the protection he affords me he insists that I shall
provide him with food. Lately his appetite has been very great, and I
have not got enough for him, and to-day he insisted on my stealing this
goose, and hiding it under my cloak, that if it was discovered I might be
punished and he escape."
"So, my master, and is this the way you afford your protection?"
exclaimed Eric, looking angrily at the big bacchante. "What is your
name, my little schutz?" he asked of the boy.
"Thomas Platter," was the answer. "I come from Switzerland, and have
for long been wandering about, finding it hard to live in one place for
want of food."
"Then, Thomas Platter, know that I am going to Wittemburg, where
there is a good school; and, if you desire it, you shall remain with me
and pursue your studies, and if you ever have to beg for bread, it shall
be for yourself alone. Are you willing to accept my offer?"

"Gladly, most noble sir," answered the boy, throwing down the goose
and springing out of the way of the big bacchante, who sought to detain
him. Hans, who once had a little boy who died when he was of the age
of Thomas Platter, approved of his young master's generous offer, and
undertook to carry the lad behind him on his horse to Wittemburg. The
bacchante grumbled and looked very angry at this, and threatened to
come after Thomas and carry him off; but Eric advised him to make no
attempt of the sort as the boy was now under his protection. They rode
on and left him grumbling and threatening as before. Thomas seemed
highly pleased at the change. He was evidently a sharp, clever little
fellow, though simple-minded and ignorant of the world. He was the
son of a poor shepherd, but the desire to gain knowledge induced him
to quit his father's cottage and to go forth in search of that education
which he could not gain at home. He had met with all sorts of
adventures, often very nearly starving, now beaten and ill-used by his
bacchante, a big student, from whom he received a doubtful sort of
protection, now escaping from him and being taken care of by humane
people, wandering from school to school, picking up a very small
amount of knowledge, being employed chiefly in singing and begging
through the towns to obtain food. Such was the type of a travelling
student in those days. Frequently he had companions, three or four
schutzen and twice as many bacchantes, the former performing,