The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-20
The Emperor's New Suit.
BIZ HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.

]
troops he did not care either about going
to the play or driving out, unless it were
that he might show bis new clothes. He
had q new suit for every hour in the day
and, as one usually says of king or en-
peror, he held privy council, SO Of him
it was said. his majesty sat in council with
his tailors.
In the large town where he resided peo-
pie led merry life. Day after day fresh
visitors arrived at court one day, too,
couple of swindlers, who called themselves
6rst-rate weavers, made their appearance.
They pretended that they were able to
weave the richest stuffs, in which not only |
the colors and patterns were extremely |
beautiful, but that the clothes made OF |
such stuffs possessed the wonderful prop |
arty of remaining invisible to him who
was unfit for the Office he held or who
was extremely silly.
"What capital clothes they must bel"
thought the emperor. "If had but such
a suit, could directly find out what peo-
pie ia my empire were not equal to their
Office; and, beside, should be able to
distinguish the clever from the stupid
By Jove, must have some of this stuff
made directly for mel" And SO be order
cd large sums of money to be given to
the two swindlers, that they might set to
work Immediately.
The men erected two looms, and did as
il they worked very diligently; but in
reality they had got nothing on the loom.
They boldly demanded the finest silk and
gold thread, put it all in their own pockets,
and worked away at the empty loom till
quite late at night.
81 should like to know how the two
weavers are getting on with my stuff"
said the emperor, one day, to himself but
he was rather embarrassed when be re-
membered that silly fellow, or one unfit
ted for his office would not be able to see
the stuff IT'S true, he thought, as far as
regarded himself, there was no risk what
ever; but yet he preferred sending some
one else, to bring him intelligence of the
two weavers, and how they were getting
on, before be went himself. Everybody 10
the whole town had heard Of the WONDER
full property that his stuff was said to pos
sess, and all were curious to know how
clever or foolish their neighbors might be
found to be.
II will send my worthy old minister, "
said the emperor at last, after much con-
sideration che will be able to say how
!. the stuff looks better thai anybody; for
he is man of understanding, and no one
can be found more fitted than he"
So the worthy old minister went to the
room where the two swindlers were work.
ing away with all their might and main.
"Lord help me !" thought the old man,
opening his eyes as wide as possible; "why
can't see the least thing whatever on the
loom T. But he took care not to give
voice to his thoughts.
The swindlers begged him most politely
to have the goodness to approach nearer
to the looms; and then pointing to the
empty frame, asked him if the colors were
not Of great beauty. And the poor old
minister looked, and looked, and could see
nothing whatever, for indeed, there was
nothing at all there. "Bless meW thought
be to himself, "am I, then, really sim.
pleton? Well, / never thought so, ano
nobody dare know it. ! not fit for my
Office! No, nothing on earth shall make
me say that have not seen the stuff !"
DWELL, sir" said one of the swindlers
still working busily, "you don't say If the
stuff pleases you or not"
"Oh, beautiful, beautiful the work is
admirable ~ said the old minister, looking
at the beam through his spectacles. "This
pattern and these colors--well, well
shall not fail to tell the emperor that botf
are most beautiful"
swell, we shall be delighted If you d.
30, said the swindlers, and named the diff
ferent colors and patterns which were il
the stuff. The old minister listened at
tentively to what they said, in order thai
be might be able to repeat all to the en-
peror.
The swindlers then asksi for more mo
ney, and silk, and gold thread, which they
said they wanted to finish the piece they
had begun. But they put, as before, al
that was given to them into their owl
pocket, and still continued to work will
apparent diligence at the empty loom.
Some time after the emperor sent anoth
or officer to see how the work was getting
on, and if the piece of broadcloth would
soon be finished. But he Jared like th'
other. He stared at the loom from every
side; but as there was nothing there, o
course he could only see the empty frame
"Does the stuff not please you as mucl
as it did the minister" asked the men
making the same gestures as before, ant
talking of splendid colors and of pattern
which did not exist.
"Stupid certainly am moi" thought tn
new commissioners ''then 1t must be tina
/ am not fitted for the lucrative office
That were good joke However, n
one dare even suspect such thing" AM
so he began praising the stuff that he coul'
not see, and told the two swindlers hoy
pleased be was to behold such beautiful
colors and such charming patterns. ain
deed, your majesty" said he to the empe
ror, on his return, "the stuff which til
weavers are making is extraordinary fine.
The magnificent brocade that the empe
TOR was having woven at his own expens
was the talk of the whole town.
The emperor wished to see the cost,
stuff while it was on the loom 80, accom-
panied by chosen train of courtiers
among whom were the two trusty mel
who had SO admired the work, off he wen
to the two cunning cheats. As soon a
they heard of the emperor's approach
they began working with all diligence, al
though as yet there was not single threa
on tha loom