The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-06-01
The Kings Masquerading.
A FAIRY STORY.

where the sunbeams grow lonely for
want Of shadow companions, and vainly
try to make the snow-capped peaks un-
bend from their icy dignity, and join
them in a game of Hioe and Seek" as,
down in the valley, the leaves, flowers
and shade were continually doing, lived,
all alone, the king of the mountain re-
gion, Georgus Curtus.
He was strange old fellow of eighty,
white-haired and white bearded, with
pair of dark, royal eyes, around which
had Just commenced to congregate those
parasites of old age, wrinkles.
The palace was magnificent struc-
ture, with the most luxurious appoint
ments. His possessions were boundless
and valuable, while he himself was the
envied of all the country round. But
for all that, he was not happy.
"What is all thisY" he murmured,
looking from the highest window of his
wonderful palace, out on to the delight
full blending of snow and grass, flowers
and glittering icicles which met his gaze
on every hand. "What is all this in
comparison with what might have been ?
Here am !, ten years past the time God
has ordained for man to live, and what
has my whole existence been worth
have reigned just as some one off in
America might have reigned- being
monarch, keeping my kingdom in order,
but treating my subjects as strangers,
in whose welfare, excepting such well
fare as appertained directly to my
power, was in no way concerned.
Now, 1 have my reward. In my old
age, am alone; while the poorest peas
ant in my monarchy will not die unat-
tended by some loving hand. OF what
use has my life been Z Is any one the
happier for it2 mol Will any one
mourn when am gone? MOI" And,
with sigh which was almost sob, the
poor old king laid his head on the ebony
easement, and thought long and Bit
terly.
At last he turned away with a bright
er look. He had decided upon some-
thing, which might not only bring light
into his solitary life, but also add to an
others happiness.
Far in the north, under one of the
most massive of the mountain ledges,
lived Narcisse-s young girl of twenty,
who earned her living ly knocking
quartz off of her rocky home, and selling
it to some miserly geologists, who paid
her in crusts which a respectable cur
would have refused with contempt.
Over to the south, further down the
valley, where the winds were less bleak,
where flowers grew and birds luxuria-
ted, lived Medora--another girl of the
same age, who also had no relatives nor
friends, and was obliged to provide for
herself as best she might. She had far
pleasanter time than did Narcisse, for
she gathered flowers, and sold them to
persons with souls-those without souls
seldom care for howers-who paid her
literally, and kept her busy all the year
round.
Georgus Curtus decided upon adopt
ing one of these poor workers, and to
that end determined to visit both in dis
guise in order to discover which was
best fitted for the position. AS he very
wisely remarked:
~ have no wish, after living alone ell
these years, to take into my heart and
home a viper. 1 want some one whom
can thoroughly trust. Report speaks
we'll of both these maidens; but l must
see for myself which is best"
So, up into the store-room Of the pal
ace he plodded, in search of disguise.
There were great many of his mothers
clothes, which he had carefully preserved
since her death, IN large trunk and,
as he glanced at them carelessly, new
idea struck him.
81 will make an old woman of my
selfV he murmul ed, triumphantly.
Then, as he looked at his magnificent
beard reflected in the mirror opposite,
his face clouded again, but soon light
ened. 81 can shave it off," he contin-
ued, sand it will grow out again in a
few weeks"
Georgus was very fat old man, but
his mother was an enormous old woman,
SO he found the clothes well adapted to
his monstrous body; and the next morn
ing, with clean face, black dress,
white kerchief and white cap, the mon
arch started off on his travels.
He decided to first visit Medora. If
the truth must be told, he had a kind of
preference for the southern maid, who
was very fair and beautiful, SO found
himself at the door of her little cottage
early the next day.
She was weaving together a wreath OF
arbutus and forget-me-nots, but looked
up as he approached, and replied to his
squeaking "Good morning, miss" with
little nod, then went on with her
work.
"You have beautiful place here,
said the ake-believe old woman, lean
ing wearily OH her cane, and painting foI
breath.
GOOD enough w curtly answered Me-
dora, taking no notice of her visitors ev-
ident fatigue.
"I should think" and the king looked
round on the great abundance of flower.
and fruit, "that there is room enough
here for two to make a good living
Now, I am an old woman which was
of course, story-"and don't know
where my next meal is coming from -
which was the literal truth" and
couldn't you take me in as kind of as
sistant, my dear 2"
The face of the young girl flushed an
grily.
AZ do not wish, nor will have an as.
sistant. There is no more here than
will do for me alone" and, with lips
close pursed, she turned her back on the
stranger, and went on with her work
singing in a loud voice. in order to
drown any reply he might make.
That was enough for the old king.
"Cold, hard-hearted mink" he nut.
tered, as he walked away. 81 want
none such as you for my daughter ;
and. with somewhat heavier heart, ht
fastened on to the north, where dwell