Mountain Democrat., 1857-08-15
The King, the Abbot, and the Miller.
A LEGEND or roIToU.

LEGEND or roIToU.
There was once an abbot, who owned
a rich monastery, and who enjoyed his
possessions 80 gnily that he was hickman
cd the "Abbot Sans Souci." As soon a.
he had fulfilled his religious duties he
thought of nothing but taking his case,
and making other people happy. lie
would go and visit his neighbors-giving
good advice to such as stood in need it,
cheering the downhearted with a merry
joke, repeating wise saws and proverbs
to the old folks and telling amusing stO-
ries to the children; so that everybody
was glad to see him; and when any one
cried out, "IIere comes the Abbot Sans
Souci !" all faces frightened up, just as il
mcrrimcnt or fine weather had been all
nOunccd.
Unfortunately the king who then gov
ccned the country was Of a widely differ
cnt character. Legends seldom give
dates, therefore We are not informed tn
which particular king the cllroniclcr al
ludes, only, we are told he was Of sat
urninc, uneasy disposition, prey to en-
nui, and incapable Of making use Of his
power for either his own or other pco-
pies happinesS-the cap fits 10 many
crowned heals, that We lnny choose from
long line Of Inonarchs Of the peculiar
period at which the jOll, n'.'~t and the
disagrecablc king IlOurisl. Il " our neither
world.
In the hope that the sight ul new faces
and new places might dislCl the dead
weight Of ean"i that lay upon him, the
king took it in his head one day to travel
oil over his kingdom. His court, there
fore, prepared to follow him; for king
can do no more without his courticrs than
the kings head huntsnsn without his
pack of hounds.
After having passed through several
provinces, no one day arrived at n fine
abbey, surrounded by gardens, when he
asked to whom it belonged. lie was told
when once he had performed his duties
for the day, was always laughing or sing
ing.
"And pray. why should he be laughing
and singing in this manncr!" asked the
king. "llaS he no cares Of any sort 2"
"None, whatever" was the answer;
land this is 80 universally known thrO'-
out the country, that he is called the Ab-
bot Sans Souci I"
This answer provoked the king, who
could not bear people that were happier
than himself, and he ordered some Of his
followers to fetch the abbot directly, and
bring him into his presence.
Fhc abbot was presently brought in
amidst the kings guards, but looking as
joyous as ever. The king considered his
Joy in the light of an insult.
"YOu are mighty bold to look so happy,
when am sad and discontcutcd," said
tho monarch, angrily; land I have a
mind to punish you ON the spot; only, as
I am religious, know VIC must forgive
offences. Still, as it is not fair that you
alone in my kingdom should be exempt
from all care, I intend giving you some.
So here arc four questions which you
must answer within delay Of three days,
on pain Of forfciting your abbey, and
spending the rest of your life in prison"
So saying he gave the abbot II paper,
and then dismissed him.
Now it stood written on the paper that
he was to state exactly show much land
there was in the whole kingdom-how
much the moon wcighcd-how much the
king was worth, and what he believed"
We may imagine how puzzled the poor
abbot was on being asked such absurd
questions. 1t was in vain hc searched in
l-ah his books, and consulted All tho learn
cd doctors he knew; neither the books
nor the doctors could throw the smallest
light on the subject.
At length the third day had dawncd
without his having been able to advance
an inch farther towards tho solution, and
he was strolling sadly in one of his broad
alleys, vinly trying to find some means
to evadc the kings threat, when he met
the miller, who was bearing somo flour
to tho monastery.
The latter, cunning fellow, always in
the best possible spirits, now bowed to
his lord, and inquired after his health,
when the abbot told him with sigh, that
he was as well as could bc expected for a
man who was ruined, and likely to die in
prison. Thcrcupon the miller expressed
great astonishment, when tho abbot told
him all that had passed, and what hope
less questions the king had condemned
him to resolve.
"Faith, my lord abbot" said tho mil
Ter, after having listened to him most at
tentivcly, "do you know that for a man
Of your profession, you Hre trihc short
Of ready wit. If were in your place tho
kings questions would not trouble me-"
81 wish you were, Guichard," replied
the abbot "Why, you would soon give
them up as ! have DONE"
"UpOn my word should not" replied
the miller, land if you'll only lend me
your gown, holy father, and hold mo quit
forever and aye Of my tenure, I'll under
take to answer tho king so as to give him
satisfaction"
The abbot was but too glad to accept
the miller's proposal; and no drew up an
act by which he acquitted him of all fur
thCr dues, and then lent him his gown.
The miller put 1t on, and at tho hour
appointed stood m the kings presence.
The king did not recognize the abbot
at first but concluded that anxiety had
changed him, and inwardly rejoiced at
having deprived him Of tho right to the
nickname Of Abbot Sans Souci. So he
ordered him to approach, IN less terrible
tonc than might have been expected, and
asked him ifh could tell him exactly
how much land there was in the king
dom.
every easily, sirc," answered The mil.