The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-04
Wistruanlsons.
BETTER THAN A KING.
ny MRS. N. A. DENSrsoS.

A great gray kitchen-gay, for il was
night, and the two candles did not send the
flame very far; wide back settle; smell Of
herbs drying somewhere; cat on the hearth;
soft, warm breeze coming in from the wes-
tern windows: the sound Of Trusting leaves;
country maiden holding in her hand brown
book. whose yellow pages smell of age n
handsome peasant listening. There's apicture
for you. Ralph his name; Maud. hers.
And SO, read Maud, preparing to shut
the old book, the king and queen lived hap
PLY together forever after.
Maud was merry girl, and the village
teacher. She gave the farmers children les
sons in spelling and arithmetic, and taught
them to hsm-stitch and gather. Her own
store OF knowledge was somewhat limited
Ralph used to watch her as she sat her bright
brown hair tucked behind little cap, her
blue eyes tender with feeling, and her rosy
lips parted often in smiles. Ralph himself
was no common specimen Of manhood. lie
was tall. brOad-shOuldered, with pleasant
countenance and the best Of hearts. lie had
but one failing, he was too fond of the tap
room, and it promised to be a growing evil
with him.
You are happier as YOU are, Ralph re-
turned Maud.
'Oh no | don't like work, that is, work
that wears one out and makes one so tired :
was his reply. 'kings must be blessed NOR
tails, free trom all care, no one to say to them
nav, no work to do, all pleasure, all happi-
ncss : yes, wish was king
Maud looked at him, and he did not see
her, Tor his eyes were building castles, and
his face was in the shadow. Maud admired
him in her heart. What beautiful head
he has got = she thought to herself, 'and
wha, long lashes!' Then poor Maud sighed
little, tor she did not like to think.
The next day, busy at his hoeing, with
perhaps u little pain in his good, broad
shoulders. he said again, Yes, wish was
a king. IL seems 10 me was not born to be a
farmer. How tiresome 1t is To hoe! Ii makes
one hungry too. Well, dinner will soon be
raady, and then shall have greens, and
beef, and dumplings, while kings live on the
Fat of the land-aye and the ocean, too, US
fJr that natter
Presently the horn sounded. Ralph has
tened IT, obey il. lie met Maud, who held
his little brother and sister by the hand.
'Ilow tired and heatedyou lOOkv she said.
YES, I'm both, he replied.
.Still want to be u king, suppose " she
said. arrhly.
Yes, indeed. wish was king, he
answered.
Poor Ralph " she s,id, pitifully and pass
cd On. The great Kitchen looked cool. for
the fOor had h,cn washed and Sandcd. The
apple bOughs outside shaded the nice win
dOws; the paper curtain rustled; the board
was spread with sweet bread, homemade,
and gOodly rows OF smoking dishes. Ralph
washed his face in great pau OF clear, cold
water. and for a moment ielt grateful and ~
4 frcshcd. But still he was not happy. not
even with the pretty face Of Maud smiling
opposite. ,
i, is nothing for YOU sit in cool room
and teach the children, he said, after dinner
in reply TO some remark. q,
}, If YOU were 10 try il once, she said. good
humorcdly, you would want to get back to
your potato hoeing'
What, is it really hard work, thenT he
, asked again
, 1t is not easy by any mcans,' was the re
ply:
But you always look as if you were eas.
enough
/ Because have learned to be- contented,
, was the reply. The answer echoed in Ralph ;,
, brain as he walked OF. but Tor all that h,
did not stop wishing that he was q king