The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-06-09

Not 20 safe as an old houno W Aoof
the scentl" thought the king. To-mor
row is the last day; / shall 60 myself
and we shall see what sport l nave.
VII.
The next day Little Peter deserted q
father abbot riding his mule down the
avenue into Eerie Hollow. The sight oil
the sanity man in the vicinity OF Csmbre
Abbey seemed most natural thing Jet,
out of caution he recalled his habits.
When the frlar came close oy ne pniieo
off his cap and reverently crossed him.
self; the holy man bestowed his blessing:
| Peterkin noticed that he kept his cowl
low down over bis face, as though 70
shade il from the sun. -,
"What are you doing here, my sonI''
inquired the abbot who seemed to speak
in y disguised voice, the same as he con-
cealed his features.
"You see, your reverence, l am feeding
my flock"
"You are a shepherd, then"
"Yes; like your reverence, like our lord
the King, and like His Holiness the Pope;
barring that my sheep are rabbits"
aAnd pretty little rabbits they are,
Godver- Will you sell me enc"
81 know who you are, you mummerP
thought the youth, and he added aloud
any Lord Abbot, my rabbits are neither
for sale nor for gift. They must be
earned"
"And how might one earn them?"
"The same way as heaven, my lord,
through humility. Now, if you had a
favor to ask of the Holy Father, what
would you do2" =,
~ would fall on my knees before him"
"Anything more2"
"Then devoutly kiss his slipper"
"Well then. man, here is mlne-kiss
itp and, with the coolest impudence,
thrust out bis ssbot toward His Majesty.
"Godverdomr clustered the King, but
he stopped short. Like the Lord OF
Nivelle, he offered gold, besought, en-
treated, taking the names of all the saints
in heaven to witness. Not word did
little Peter heed. The King was obliged
TO alight, fall upon his knees and kiss the
mischlevous urchin's slipper, after which
humiliating ceremony, he bestrode his
steed and slowed the rabbit safely in his
cassock pocket.
He was barely beyond a cross-bow shot
when-pouf-leaped the rabbet out of the
pocket; of leaps the King, thinking to
catch 1t, but so clumsily did be leap that
he Topped right upon the earth; 80 he
returned to the palace in condition alto
gether unmaiestic. Godverdom!
VIII.
Peterkin, driving home his rabbits ior
the third and last time, made his way
with his flock into the hall IN which the
King held council.
"Sir--" began Crickey. when he was
interrupted by shrek; the door was
thrown open to the Princess Royal, who
rushed in crying, "My ring! somebody
hes stolen my ring"
"Be still, dow said the King. "You
will drive us deafl' But, seizing at once
upon the opportunity which offered, he
turned to Peterkin, whom he no more
now than before faucied for prospective
son in-law.
$50 far. so good,Y he said. "YoH have
passed successfully through your first or
deal; but kingcraft does not merely con.
sist of keeping watch and ward over
| ones subjects; il also requires keeping
watch and ward over their property; q
king should be OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Of police throughout his realm. Let US
see your qualifications in that line, too
NV daughters ring has been stolen /
give you three days to bring the thief
| before me-"
"What sort of a ring was it ?" inquired
Crickey.
"Gold, with a diamond as large as a
pea" replied the Princess Royal, looking
| bv no means scornfully.
ITO it, then, manneken," said the King,
rubbing his hands with glee, and, in order
that your game should lie at your hand,
YOU shull live in the palace and fare the
same as myself do not do things by
niggcrdly hal, es."
Crickey was ,hown INTO asplendld suite
of apartments and his supper was
brought in. 1t was not altogether like
| the kings, inasmuch AS he had only one
serving man behind his chair; but the
supper was exquisite, such one in fac
AS | would wager something that you
never sat down to even on Kermess
Sunday. He, who was somewhat OF II
man of taste, enjoyed it thoroughly, and
considered that kings was II very des-
irable livelihood, and, if he sat night
after night to such supper, he would
shortly wax as plump and ruddy checked
| as his brother.
Next day, at early dawn, he took a
stroll in the direction of Eerie Hollow,
but did not meet the old woman. "Never
mind" thought he, "may be | II manage
it by mvselt. Seek and find, you know. "
Up0n the stroke of noon he returned TO
the palace. as hungry MS hnnter, re-
membering the previous evenings sup.
per. and calculating, like a thoroughbred
| Fleming, that If he should fail of marry
ing the Princess Royal, he would at least
enioy three grand dinners. The dinner,
of course, was even better than the sup
per. When he had finished the last
mouthinl, Here goes, number one said
| he aloud, wiping his mouth with his nap
kin. At these words the serving man IN
attendance gave sort of start. 1t WAS
this rogue who had stolen the ring IN
concert with fellow servant.
The next day Peter lounged about
the palace, scanning every face; but he
did not discover the thief. He did not
lose hearts grace, sat down 10 dinner at
the first stroke of noon, ate it like one
who thoroughly relished it, and when he
had done, Here goes number two!" he
said, smacking his lips.
The waiting man was none other than
the thief number two, turned pale and
faint, and dropped whole pile OF plates
"Ill 90 and smoke pipe with my rsb'
bits, thought Crickey, possibly they
will give me a good hint. Godverdom
as His Majesty says" So he lighted his
CLAW and ssuntered down to the poultry
While Peterkin played with his rao'
bits the two thieves were in close consul'
,ation, very perplexed what TO do. As
they were apparently found out, was il
net their best policy to make clean
breast of it than wait until they should