The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-09-16

tor them, and enjoyed the possession of
diamonds to the loss of no one. You
have already revealed the secrets Of the
trade which I fain would have respected.
You will ruin my business! So leave
my house with your tattling tongue ~
And as Jack turned to ebey, the MGR
chant attempted to 1nflct upon him a
parting kick, but the limb was paralyzed
| on the instant, and the merchant discoy-
cred, to his horror, that 1t was without
feeling or power of motion.
Jack fled from his masters wrath, and
made his way sadly back to his kind
grandmother, and who gave him a warm
welcome, and cheered him with hopes of
better fortune IN future
But as years passed without any mark
ed change in his fortune, he almost de-
SPARED OF ever being anything more than
poor forester, when one day at noon,
returning with his gatherings, his atten-
ton was attracted by groans near him in
the forest.
Following the direction of the sound.
he discovered none other than the king
lying prone upon the ground, and bleed
ing protusely from a wound in the back.
Jack knelt beside the fallen monarch,
who explained that his horse had become
manageable, and galloped away from
his companions in the hunt, and had
thrown him upon the ground forcibIy
striking his back on sharp stick.
"But," he added, II do not think am
badly hurt, and I will give you humid
red pounds if you will assist me to nv
hunting box, which Is not fariaway, for I
do not wish a gaping crowd Of my sub
Jects to gather around and see me their
king, lying here helpless and Inundated
in the forest.'' .s......-I.-:~,...
The exertion Of speaking caused him
to turn deadly pale, and Jack, who had
been examining the wound and staunch-
ing the dow of blood, saw in an in
slant that he could not be moved with
out danger. s,.. -, l..4.s..s, T -.
IL cannot obey your majesty he said,
trying to speak respectfully. "The ex-
ertion of walking will cause more blood
to flow, and you may die it your wound
is mot dressed Immediately. I gather
herbs for market, and know what to use
to make you safe and comfortable. I
will only call nay grandmother, whose
cabin Is but few steps from here, to as
sist me, and she will watch with YOU
while I go to the hunting box and get
your private servant with conveyance"
Without waiting for a reply, he ran
hastily to his cabin, informed his grand
mother, and quickly gathered the neces-
sary herbs and bandages. or.r,-.ys. ...5
They soon had the wound neatly and
skillfully dressed. Then Jack ran off to
inform one confidential servant whom the
king named, and in a short time the
wounded monarch was born gently on
litter, helpless and almost unconscious,
to his private chambers.
The physicians afterwards informed
HIM that had Jack not spoken the truth
regarding the wound, Or failed to dress
it so skilfully, he would have died in a
short time. " ra " .. "
OF course the king was ready to heap
honors upon Jack, who was knightea
Immediately and introduced at court.
Here he met the kings daughter, and
like all the other knights he, in time,
fell deeply in love.
But the king declared he would have
only the bravest OF knights for his daugh-
ter's husband.
81 want each of you," said he, gather
ing all her suitors around him, s'to tell
me the story of your life, and whoever
can enumerate the greatest number of
brave deeds shall have my daughters
hand in marriage"
Then all told their story, one after the
other. Jack being the youngest, was
! obliged to wait until the rest had fin
ished. "
They related marvellous tales of their
own bravery, each succeeding one trying
to make his story outrival any that had
| gone before. ~
1t is scarcely necessary to add that
they all drew largely on their imagina.
ton for their wonderful narratives, and
when Jacks turn came he was regarded
by the rest with envy, for they all knew
he had the privilege of adding more to
the catalogue of his brave deeds than
any Of them had done. -.
| But to their astonlshments he told a
simple, straightforward story of his I'M
eventful life, and assured them he had
never slain an enemy in duel, nor killed
a tiger with club, nor jumped into the
arena where lions were fighting to pro-
! cure lady,s fan, nor incurred any of the
dangers which the others professed to
have conquered.
| A laugh Of scorn and derision arose at
the conclusion of his simple narrative,
but it was quickly brought to close by
the king declaring that Jack should be
! his son-in-law.
'For,'' said he, ''Sir Jack is the bray
est Of my knights, having dared 10 tell
the truth, while the rest -f you have hid
den your cowardly characters behind
huge breast works Of lies.''
/ AS Jack had already won the affections
| of the young princess, to whose hand his
truthfulness had elevated him, he was
1ejolced.
Preparations were going on for the
wedding, when the king, who was restless
and ambitious, declared war against a
weaker and neighboring monarch, sent
vast armies into his domain, conquered
him and took possession of his kingdom.
! Jacks prospective father-in-law, jubi-
liant over his additional power, said to
Jack:
'''Don't yop think have shown wis
dom and policy, ana deserve great credit