Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1879-08-21

been hanged!" cried one.
''lt is the came one we saw before,
said his companion.
Nonsense, exclaimed the first speak.
er; ''are you slllyP How can one man,
dead or alive, be in two places at the same
time?"
"Ill bet you new coat that it is the
same"
Done. Wen run back to see if the
little man in the mOusc.cOlored clothes is
still hanging from the old oak tree. But
first let us tie the bull up"
So they made the animal fast to the
trunk OF a tree, and then they started off
in desperate hurry to see who had lost
the bet. But no sooner were they out of
sight than the little man slipped down
from his perch and walked off in triumph
with the bull.
When he presented hirself with the
bull next day before the K.lg, the latter
was very angry, and said unless he stole
his own Queen from his side, he should
surely be hanged.
The little man was much disheartencd,
but for all that he determined to try. The
King meanwhile gave the strictest orders
that the Queen should under no circum.
stances expose herself to the danger of
being induced to 90, or forcibly carried
away.
That same evening towards dusk holy
triar might have been seen slowly wend
ing his way towards the palace to collect
aims and broken meat for the poor He
begged Of every one he met, and whcnthc
Queen had contributed her mite he thank
ed her humbly.
"YOui Majesty is both merciful and
liberal, he then added, land pities am
sure, the poor unfortunate who tomorrow
will eXpiate his crimes on the gallOws.
lie Is very anxious to see you, and wishcs
to impart toyou fewsccrets of the utmost
Importance" "
Secrets" exclaimed the Queen, to
whom few people impaired secrets. ''l
should like to know some secrets"
"The first secret will enable you always
to get your own way. The second will
teach you how to retain the affections OF
all around you And the third is the Sc.
cret Of lifelong beauty"
The Queen jumped up and clasped her
hands. "I'll learn those"
Then you must be quick about 1t, for
the little man can only reveal his secrets
whilst he is free. The very moment hes
becomes prisoner, he loses his power of
imparting them"
Then take me to hun at once-but stop
i forgot-the King has given strict
orders that am not to leave the house. Oh,
what am to doP"
"Then the King is a wicked tyrant who
does not deserve to be obeyed. But if you
won't come, why, the secret must die with
its pOssessor, unless"
"Unless what?" asked the Queen, with
eagerness.
"Unless some more trusting lady
chooses to confde herself to my care"
1t was bad enough to remain in ignor.
ance Of the secret herself, but to hear that
another woman might acquire the knowl.
edge which she so apparently coveted, was
gall and wOrmwood to the Queen. She
hesitated for a minute, and then concluded
to 90 in spite of her husbands commands.
That evening when before supper the
King was waiting for his spouse, and Of
ticer OF the guard came in and informed
his Majesty that somebody wished to
speak with him."
81 can't see anybody" shouted the
King Il am just going to supper"
'Sire, " returned the officer, "the person
OF whom | am speaking is-the littlc
mouse.colored man. We should have
hanged him then and there at the castle
gates, but he told us he had message of
Importance to deliver to you some State
secret that had been confded to him by
the Queen"
"By the Queen2" shouted the King
SIS it possiblep He has actually stolen
the Queen. Bring him hither."
The little mouse-colored man entered,
made low bow to the King, and another
to the officers of the court, and then wait
ed to hear what the former had TO say to
him. There was nothing meek or humble
in the little man S demeanor now. 0nthe
contrary, he looked as if to say: "Catch
me if you can!"
what have you done with the Qucen?"
roared the King.
Don't put yourself out about her |
She is all right. She'll be here directly"
was the calm reply.
"You have stolen her, you thief"
'You ordered me TO do so."
but Observation-Disclosures did you |
steal her?"
"Did you not pass friar on your road |
homep"
"Yes."
81 was the friar. Your wife will be
here soon. My grand chamberlain is cs.
corting her home now."
ltXnne ,rro,,l hn,.1otxtn
"Yos. My grand chamberlain. King,
] may as well tell you mt once who am.
am the Prince Of Torla. was on my
way hither to ask your consent to my mar
riage with your only daughter, when a
sudden storm compelled me to take refuge
with my chamberlain in The priests cot
tage at Skalkolt After leaving the cot
tage, chance threw me in the way of that
most simple. minded OF peasants, poor old
Fri'2 with whom have lodged ever since.
! found the good man and his wife starry
ing and, rs q Prince, naturally could mot
accept their hospitality without making \
them some return. Not having my purse
with me, | raised q forced loan, and"
"Ye-es, replied the King, thoughtful.
ly; that Is certainly the case. And, any
way, Prince, ! had rather have YOU o.
chan as q neighbor, especially |
when you happen to be lodging with nun
cry peasants, Therefore, when the lueen
"Here she isl'
The Queen entered, looking decidedly |
but she soon recovered her
spirits upon learning that she vas to be-
come mothcr-in-law 10 90. lever d person
rs The little mouse-c.s,,vred man.
"Aud the secn .fr she ,vhispered tol|