Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1852-12-28

80 $50 stg5esEH
"The merchant, my lord the king" said
a servant Of the chamber, who entered at
that moment, followed by the old merchant.
"Thou art come at a good time, sir mer-
chant; the hrst maxim has been proved
it has saved my life; it was worthy of its
price" ~. ss-.......
"Even as expected my. lord-a year
and a day hence expect me again
owe Will trust no more to a single hand"
said one of the conspirators, when they met
again, after the BARRIERS repentance this
time we will all SHARE sata9tsass
81 propose" said one of the rebel lords,
" an ambush on the road to Naples. Ev-
cry year, on the day after Christmas, the
king journeys thither; the by paths near
the city gates is the nearest road, perad-
venture he will go that way"
When the Christmas night was over, the
king prepared to journey to Naples; a
great company of mobiles, knights, and men
at arms, went with him. Not far from the
city, he came to the place where the high
way and by-path diyerged.
My lord, )" said an old noble, g the day
is far spent, the sun sinks fast in the hor-
zon; will not my lord turn by the by-path,
as it is shorter than the high road p"
May" said the king, ''it's a year and a
day since the merchants first maxim saved
my life; now will test the second admo-
milton, "Never leave highway for BY
path, but go part of We by that path, and
prepare for me in the city; l and the rest
will pursue the highway"
Onward rode the knights and the soldiers
by the by-path, and fastened towards the
city, as they neared the ambush, the traitors
sprang upon them, for they thought the
king was among them. Every man slew
his opponent, al there remained not one
of the kings company, to bear the tidings
to the king, but a youth, little page.
whom the conspirators did not remark du.
ring the attack.
At the city gates; the king found the
merchant who had sold him his maxims.
g. Halt, 0 king?" said he-the second
maxim has been proved"
elbow SO" replied the king.
6. The company that rode by the bye.
path are slain every one of them save this
little page, who is here to tell the sad tale"
" Is this so, good youth %
"Alas my lord it is too true; from be-
hind the trees they rushed upon our COM
pany as we rode lightly and merrily, and
no one, save your poor page, lives to tell
the tale" --..
g For second time is my life saved by
the maxim; let it be inscribed in gold,
"Neuer Leave a highway for by-way."
6 For year and day, o king fare
thee well
GA murrian on the old fools maxim's :"
grumoled the chief of the conspirators,
when they discovered that the king had
escaped their wicked design; "we are
beaten out of every plot, and had best sub
nit to his dominion"
''Nay," exclaimed young and licentious
noble, ''there is luck in odd numbers. let us
have one more trial-a sink or SWIM
81 care not if we try once MORE" said
the old rebel; ''but come, who suggests a
scheme?"
81, and l, and I !" exclaimed several at
once; but their schemes were pronounced
futile.
"What say ye to this? ?" said the young
man who had before spoken: ''every year
the king goes to the small village where his
old nurse lives there is but one house in
the village where he can be lodged, let us
bride the master of the house, that he slay
our tyrant while he sleeps"
The plan was approved by the rebel lords,
the bride offered and accepted by the old
man, to whose house the king always came
The king came as usual to the village town,
and to his old lodgings. AS he entered the
old man received him with humility and
feigned delight, and a young damsal, not
eighteen, attended at the door step. The
king noticed the damsel, he arrested his
steps, and called to the old man.
'Good father" asked he, els wonder
damsel your daughter, or thy niece?''
''Neither, my lord" replied the old man,
''she is my newly married wife,
''Away, away" said the king to his
chamberlain, ''prepare me bed in another
house, for will not sleep here tonight
"Even as my lord Wishes" reioined the
chamberlain ''but my lord knows there is
no other house in this place fit for kings
residence, save this one; here everything
is prepared, everything eommodious."
60 I have spoken" replied the king; ere
main thou here; | will sleep elsewhere"