Middletown transcript., 1870-01-22

execution again On rising the following
morning, he once more picked quarrel
with his wife, and repeated the perform
auce of the preceding day. Then he went
forth to his work, The poor woman felt
now that this treatment was to be her fate,
and once more began to cry piteously.
Whilst in this mournful condition, there
rode up to her door two kings messengers,
each mounted on white horse. They
saluted her in the name of the king, and
asked her for something to eat. They
were dying of hunger, they said. She set
before them all that she had in the house
to offer, and whilst they were eating, beg
ged them to tell her whittier they were
journeying.
"We are not journeying anywhere in
particular" said they. "The truth is,
we are searching for skillful doctor, and
we mean to travel even into England
should VIC not find one here. Ada, the
kings daughter, is i'll. Eight days ago,
whilst eating some fish, bone stuck in
her throat, and left her incapable of swal-
lowing. Every remedy that can be sug-
gestcd has been applied to her, but with
out avail. She can neither eat nor sleep,
and her suffcrings are terrible. The king
who is in despair, has ordcrcd..us to search
about for some one capable of curing the
princess. If he loses her he will die
g You have no need to travel any fur
thcr," exclaimed the wife. GO | know the
very man you want, lie is great doctor.
&c Is it possible You are not deceiving
us 2"
=" No, am telling you the truth, but
unfortunately, the doctor of whom l speak
is very singular sort of person. He is
slightly touched in the head, fear. AL
though he has an extraordinary genius for
medicine, he seems to thoroughly dctcst
the science. My own impression is that
unless you beat him heartily you will not
get him to act for you"
Z" Oh !" they answered, if he only
needs cudgeling, we'll give it to him, he
couldn't be in better hands. Only tell us
where he lives"
The wife indicated the field in which
the husband was working, and wishing
them farewell, entreated them not to for
get the essential condition of their under
taking. They thanked her, and arming
themselves each with a big stick, made
towards the countryman. Having salutcd
him, they informed him that they came
from the king, and commanded him to
follow them.
3" What for p he asked.
g To cure the Princess Ada. We have
heard Of your skill, and we have come to
fetch you in the kings name.
/ Nbo rn,,l;oJ that Ia
only laboror and if the king wanted his
services in that capacity, he would be
happy to devote them to him. But as to
medicine, he swore on his honor that he
knew nothing at all about it.
g | sce,' whispered one of the kings
messengers to the other, g that ciyility
will not succeed here; he evidently wants
to be beaten"
Saying this he alghted from his horse,
the other followed him, ard grasping their
sticks they commenced beating the coun-
tryman with the hcarticst zest. The help
less laborer commenced by roaring at them
for their cowardice-two to one--and their
cruelty but finding them too strong for
him, he threw himself upon his knees and
swore to obey them. They thcrcupon
mounted him upon one of the white hor,
ses aud conducted him thus to the palace
Of the king.
The illness of the princess had thrown
the king into state bordering upon dis
traction. The return of the two messen.
gers inspired him with hope, and he or
dercd them to be conducted into his pres
ence that he might learn how successful
they had been in their inquiries. Having
sounded the praises of the wonderful bu
eccentric doctor, they then proceeded t,
narratc how they had found aud the meth
cd they had employed to capture him.
Il confess" said the king, 'that l nev
er heard of doctor like this before. Blu
since it is necessary that he should be bea
ten before he will cure the princess, lei
him be beaten" Having ordered the prin
cess to descend, he bade the countrymar
to approach him. .'My friend" he said
"this is the lady whom you must cure"
The wretched countryman threw himsel
upon his knees and begged for mercy
swearing by all that was holy that he kney
nothing whatever of medicine. The onl
reply of the king was to signal the tw
tall sergeants who were standing by arme,
with sticks. They made dart at tn
countryman, and seizing him by the arm
rained upon him perfect shower of blows
4" Mercy mercyp' he yelled. "Pl
, cure her, sire; I'll cure her."
The princess stood before him pale an,
dying, indicating her sufferings by point
ing with her finger down her open mouth
The countryman began to ponder withi
himself how he should effect this cure. III
plainly saw that there was no backing ou
of it, but that he must either succeed o
perish from fogging.
"'The bone" he said to himself, " is i
} the throat If could only succeed i
making her laugh, the chances are that
> might dislodg it."
| Impressed with this notion, he request
5 ed the king to order large fire to
liohtnd in thn hall and furtbar dac;rad =