The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-08-11

was he to cause the Emperor to enoble
a peasant aud vine. culturist? He sat
down in his kitchen, with bottle of wine
before him, and began to reckon up his
capital, aud wonder how long it would
take to swell his store of forms to the
sum required AS he sat thinking he
felt there was some one near him, and
on looking up, beheld seated at the ia
BILE his old friend aud benefactor, the
Green Gnome.
DO not despair, friend Peter" said
the gnome. Take this purse. 1t at
one time belonged to u gentleman by
the name of Fortunatus, who being dead,
had no further use for it, aud it fell into
my hands. 1t is inexhaustble. No mat.
ter how often you remove its contents
and replace it in your pockets, you will
find 1t full when you take it out again
aud open it. Go to the Court of the
Emperor; take with you the key that
you have stored away, and the papers
that belonged to your father. Both of
these you will find use for; aud you will
hnd how to use both in good time"
With these words the gnome king
stamped upon the floor, through which
he sank. The floor closed again, and
Peter would have thought it dream,
did not the purse, filled to the mouth
with bright gold pieces, prove how cal
must have been the interview.
The next morning Peter, having the
papers and key in his pouch, and clad
in new woollen suit, and u pair Of
heavy shoes on his feet, started, staff 10
hand, for the chief city of the empire,
where he arrived after nine days Jour.
ney. Once there however, he found it
10 easy matter 70 get peech of the Em.
par1r. lie spoke TO the porter of the
palace, who roughly ordered him off,
au4 10 the gay pages who came to and
fro aud whoouly jeered him At length,
very much disheartGued, he sat down on
stone by the gate, and 40 ne reflected
on his wearisome journey, and the little
end to which it had been made, his eyes
filled, and though he was a grown man,
the tears ran down his cheeks.
just at that moment the Lord High
Chamberlain, the Baron Won Albern,
came along, and seeing this stout and
handsome young peasant dissolved in
grief, asked him what was the matter.
am unable to get speech of the
Emperor" was the answer
And why do you wish to talk to the
Emperor 7" said the Baron.
want him to make me noble, so
that can marry the lady Thecla Won
Mangelberg."
Um" quoth the Baron, "that is
very modest request; but fear it would
not be granted, unless Indeed you were
a locksmith, and had master.key that
would open the closet in tho north crypt
which SO far defes every effort"
Oh, if that be all |" said Peter, who
bethought him of his rusty key. "But
will that make me noblep
The Emperor has promised to re.
ward whoever opens it with all its con.
tents-if he be a peasant, to give him
patent Of nobility, and if he be noble,
to make him baron"
" Is it open to all ?"
Yes. But if the one who tries fails
If he be noble he is to be degraded
and ii he be Of base blood to receive
forty lashes, we'll laid on"
Pray take me, them" urged Peter,
and | will open the closet"
So the chamberlain took him in, and
led him to the throne, where his i'm.
perial majesty was not seated, as Peter
expected to see, with heavy crown on
his head, aud with scep,re in one hand
and globe in the other, looking very
much as though he would be glad If
somebody else was holding them but,
on tho contrary, was loling on a couch
and smoking n very short pipe, while an
empty glass on the table near him show.
ed that his majesty drank occasionally
like common people.
Well, Herr Chamberlain ?" asked
the Emperor with an inquiring look.
Here is a man, sire, who thinks he
can pick the lock-"
Well, let him try it, under Il usual
penalty Stay, l will go aud witness the
work. But, fellow, if you fail, after
thus disturbing me, think I'll double
the whipping"
Down the three went to the crypt,
accompanied by numbers of courtiers
and servants, who were curious as their
master to see what the closet contained.
Now" said Peter, as he brandished
his rusty key; "let us understand each
other, Herr Kaiser, III open the door,
| am TO be noble, and 10 have all the
closet contains"
" Even so, my friend-as a peasant
TO be noble, aud were you noble to be
raised one rank"
Without further ado Peter thrust the
key in the lock, and turned it. With
great clang the bolts flew back, and the
door opened.
The Emperor and court were startled.
On the shelves, ranged in order, were
the crown jewels that had been missed
three centuries before-the heavy crown
loaded with diamonds and rubies great
collars Of pearls and emeralds sceptres
studded with sapphires aud opals and
crosses, necklaces and bracelets in great
numbers, and of almost incalculable
value.
Amid the burst of rejoicing, the Em.
peror only looked grave.
"0f course, we must keep our word"
said he, land the treasure is yours
But the crown jewels should remain