Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-17
Giterarp 5eItftiuits.
From DIR. BartIett's Anglo Saxon.
SOMETHING TO REMEMBER
A LEGEND.

There was once an abbot who owned
q rich monastry, and who enjoyed his
possessions so gayly that he was nick
rsmed the /" Abbot Sans Souci." As
.oOr as he had fulfilled his religious du-
ties he thought of nothing but taking his
case, and making other people happy
De would go and visit his neighbors-
r;v;np good advice to such as stood in
need of it, cheering the downhearted
with merry joke, repeating wise saws
and proverbs to the old folks, and telling
amusing stories to the children SO that
overvbody was glad to see him and
vbeneyer any one cried out, " Here
comes the Abbot Sans Souci!" all faces
frightened up just as if merriment or
enc weather had been announced.
Unfortunately, the king who then
,overued the country was of widely
a;Earcut character. Legends seldom
.;ve dates, therefore we are not inform
ID to which particular king the chroni-
sler aIudes; only, as we are told he
Ma, of saturnine, uneasy disposition, a
prey to snntti, and incapable of making
use of his power for either his own or
other peoples happiness-the cap fits so
many crowned heads, that we may choose
from long line of monarchs of the Pc
cuIar period at which the jolly abbot
and the disagreeable king fourished in
our neither world.
In the hope that the sight Of new faces
and new places might dispel the dead
weight of ennut, that lay upon him, the
king took it into his head, one day, to
travel all over his kingdom. His court,
therefore, prepared to follow him; for a
king can no more do without his courtiers
than the kings head huntsman without
bis pack of hounds.
After having passed through several
provinces, he one day reached fine alb
bey, surrounded by gardens, when he
asked to whom it belonged. He was
told it belonged to a very rich abbot, who,
when once he had performed his duties
for the day, was always laughing oil
singing.
"And pray, why should he be laugh.
ing and singing in this manner ?" asked
the king. Has he no cares of any
sort ?"
None whatever" was the answer
"and this is so universally known
throughout the country, that he is alwayi
called the Abbot Sans Souci."
This answer provoked the king, wht
could not bear people that were happie
than himself, and he ordered some Of hi
followers to fetch the abbot directly, ant
bring him into his presence.
The abbot was presently brought il
amidst the kings guards, but looking a
joyous as ever. The king considered hi
joyin the light of an insult. You are
mighty bold to look so happy, when ] ar
sad and discontented," said the monarch
angrily and have mind to punis
you on the spot-only, as | am religious
know we must forgive offences. Still
as it is not fair that you alone in m
kingdom should be exempt from all care
Intend giving you some. So here al
four questions which you must answe
within a delay of three days, on pain
forfeiting your abbey, and spending tt
rest Of your life in prison" So sayin
he gave the abbot a paper, and then di
missed him.
Now, it stood written ON the pap,
that he was to state exactly " how mu(
land there was in the whole kingdom
how much the moon weighed-how muC
the king was worth, and what he b
heyed"
We may imagine how puzzled IL
poor abbot was on being asked TO resol'
such absurd questions. It was In va
ne searched in all his books, and consu
edthe learned doctors he knew Meth
'he books nor the doctors could throw Il
smallest light on the subject.
AT length the third day had dawn
""nout his having been able to advan
all inch farther towards a solution, and
was stroiling sadly in one of his bro
'.leys, vainly trying to hit on some mea
" eFadlng the kings threats, when
mel The miller who was bringing sol
"0uF to the monastery.
ine latter, a cunning fellow, always
0sat possible spirits, now bowed
"'' lord, and inquired after his heal
'"e'i The abbot told him with sigh, ii
"' was as well as could be expected
Dan who was ruined. and likely to
prison. Ihereupon the miller EXPIRE