Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1872-01-18
4 LITTLE KINGS TRIALS AND
TROUBLES.

u believe" snid our little Gretchen,
i" that a king dresses in silk and velvet
every day. He can eat what he likes, he
can drive out in pleasant weather, he can
go to the theatre, and his servants must
bring him all he asks for
All, yes; certainly Gretchen was right
in some things, but not in everything.
Let our wise Gretchen east IA glance
toward kings apartment in the year
1115
Seventeen hundred and fifteen-that is
so long ago, More than one hundred and
fifty years; during which many drops of
rain fell from heaven upon poor mother
earth, and in which many, many men, in
different countries, wcpt and smiled, In
1915, a beautiful boy, Of five years and
few months old, sat in Il royal palace, in
the kingdom Of France. The child was
ROBBED in purple velvet, because he was IN
mourning for his grandfather, Louis XIV,
King Of France.
The little king, an attractive child, was
seated in II magnificent apartment that
was adorned with rear pictures, superb
furniture, and splendid carpets.
He sat alone, at an elegant little break
fast table. Every dclcacF that he asked
for was there, for they brought him all he
wanted No servants were wanting, for
behind the chair of the little fiycyear old
king stood two noblemcn, who waited his
commands There were also many other
persons in waiting in another part of the
room.
Louis eat---all alonc--a delicate roasted
dove, and apricot TART and drank glass
of wine. He knew how TO eat the dove
politely, but it was tedious and difficult
Tor him 10 cut everything with II knife, So
he toook his little royal fingers to help
him.
Where is my napkin!" he cried,
when he had finished the task They
haven't given me my .uankin T. he con
tinued. Quick, quick | want 1T T.
holding his hands up in the air as If in
great distress.
The two noblcmen who stood behind
him FASTENED to bring him napkin; but
they disputed as To whom belonged the
honor of handing it to him and so they
stood, one holding one side and one upon
the other, and Louis XIV. sat crying with
Impotence and anger, because he had to
wait SO long holding mp his hands.
4 third distinguished lord who was in
the room, but 10 whom the duty did not
belong, had compassion on the little king,
and brought napkin to him.
Poor, little, gentle king, that was Il
misery.
GLOW tedious it il today in the pal
ace" said Louis XIV, one afternoon
why cannot 90 Out where all the other
children are going ~ He pointed 10 a
crowd ~ citizens and country people,
gaily dressed. who passed by the palace
with their children.
Where are they going:' inquired the
king.
ITO the fair Il; St Germain," WAS the
answer
"Then I will 90 there, to" said his
little majesty,
Louis XIV. jumped for joy for he
thought Of the pleasure Of passing the
lovely day in the open air, and Of seeing
all the beautifully dressed children again
The coach, with four handsome horses,
came 10 the door They lifted fhe little
king into it, and his tutor wished to fol-
low him but the Duke Of NJ pre-
vented it, for he said that the privilege Of
accompanying the king in his carriage
belonged TO him alone.
Then dispute arose between the two
gentlemen. and neither would yield.
But you may both sit near me-" said
the king
Your Majesty, that will not be in or
der, hwas the answer 'The court must
decide before we cap go"
So Louis, who had been so childishy
delighted with the prospect Of II drive,
was obliged to descend from the carriage,
for the quarrel could not be settled at
once. And Louis XIV remained, sadly
looking out of the window until night
came, seeing the prctiily dressed children
coming home from the fair, with drums
and flies and cakes in their hands, while
he stood alone by the window and wept.
The greatest misery Of Louis XIV. in
his youth was his separation from Lord
De Fleury His grief for his beloved
friend was so intense that De Fleury was
sought for through the whole kingdom Of
France. He returned, and Louis XIV.
was calm and happy again,
You ask me, dear Gretchen. where ]
heard about the trials Of the little king.
! cannot tell; but this | know, that little
kings and great ones have much more TO
bear than you and / have. So be con
tented with your lot, and let the kings
ride in their carriages while you walk ON
foot