The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-02-02
The KING and the stable BOY.

The King and the stable Boy.
During the visit of George Ill. to the
royal stables, a boy belonging to one OF
the grooms took his attention.
There is no accounting for fancies; but
there was something about the boy that
won his royal masters favor, and the
King treated him kindly In many ways.
But a time of temptation came, and the
poor lad fell into disgrace he had
stolen some oats from the royal bins,
and. being detected, the head groom
discharged him. The fact that he was
noticed by the King may have aroused
the envy and dislike of others, and 1t
may be that the occasion was gladly
seized by the groom TO have him turned
away. There seemed to be no idea OF
speaking to the poor lad about the
wickedness of taking the oats, and abus-
ing the confidence of his master, but
only determination to treat him as he
deserved. Vino knows what kind
word might have done for an erring boy,
who gave way to wrongdoing in mo-
ment of temptation2 But such was not
the case; he was turned adrift, with a
stain upon his character, to the great re-
lief of his parents.
Not long afterward, when the King
again visited his stables. he observed the
absence of the boy, and asked one of the
Qrooms what had become of him. The
man, fearing to tell the truth, yet not
liking to tell falsehood, said he had
left. His Majesty was not satisfied with
the groom's answer, and, suspecting
something wrong, called the head groom
to him, and made the inquiry again.
81 have discharged the boy, sire," an
swered he.
"For what reason 2" asked the King.
"He was discovered stealing the oats
from one of the bins" was the reply,
"and sent him away"
The King felt sorry for the poor boy
who had disgraced himself thus. but
determined not to give him up, and or
dered him to be sent for Immediately.
The order was obeyed, and without loss
of time the boy was brought to the
King. What scene was that-face to
face with the King of England stood the
boy, a convicted thief
"Well, my boy" said his Majesty,
when the poor lad, trembling and looking
very pale, stood before him, not knowing
what awaited him sis this true that
hear of you?"
The lad could not look up into the
Kings face, but, with. his head bent
down, his only answer to the kind in
quiry was flood of tears. He had not
word to say for himself his mouth
was stopped, for he knew he was guilty;
he had not word of excuse. The
King, seeing the poor boy was sorry on
account of his sin, spoke to him of the
evil-how he had not only taken what
was not his own, but abused the con-
fdence reposed in him. "Well, my
lad" said his Majesty, putting his hand
kindly upon the boys head, :" 1 forgive
YOU" Then, turning to the head groom,
he said, "Let the boy have his former
place, and let him be cared for"
What thrill of JOY did the lads heart
feel as the King uttered those three
words, CT forgive you" Instead OF
being ordered off to prison, and pun
ished, and disgraced, he was restored to
favor, and restored to the place he had
lost. What gladness this gave the boy E
heart 1t seemed almost too goodi c
be true. But who could dispute it
The King himself had forgiven him,
and then the highest judge in the land
had not word to say against it he
was a guilty one, hut now was forgiven
and that by the King himself. Viii
our young readers learn the beautiful
lesson contained in this story Chris
tidn Guardian.