The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-08-30
"THE KINGS BUSINESS :

Slowly and aimlessly out Of the vii
lage wandered poor, haf-witted Nat
that pleasant summer afternoon. He
had no particular destination, "only
goin' somewhere "-his reply always to
any question in regard to his move
menss. During the morning he had
Leen parading the village street, his
hat trimmed luxuriantly with feathers,
while he sounded forth his own praise
through the medium Of tin horn. OF
course he had attracted attention. A
small army Of urchins had surrounded
him, front and rear, and he had taken
their shouts and teasing remarks for
applause and admiration. But now his
grandeur was gone One by one his
followers had forsaken him, until at last
he was "left alone in his glory" and
with poor Nat, like the rest of us, what
does glory amount to when there are
none to witnessf
Aud so he moved onward in his drift
ing, uncertain way across the creek at
the edge Of the village, up the hill, un-
I'll his stalwart form stood out against
the sky-for Nat was strong in body
though weak in mind then he passed
down on the other side to where the
road entered q forest which stretched
for miles away. Il was here quiet and
lonely, but Nat fancied this. he occa'
sionally liked to escape from human
voices and human habitations, to get
sway by himself and talk with the birds,
the trees and the flowers. Here in the
wood the wild vsgaries of his brain
found full play. Here no one disputed
his claims to greatness, no one denied
his being q noted general, gifted ora
tor or mu ician. when the fancy seized
him to be such, In fact Nat Away:
had "greatness thrust upon him ;" ht
was never an ordinary man in his owl
estimation, and he was not now.
But on this occasion new fancy hat
taken possession of him-he was OF
business for the King. What King, o.
what was the particular business he die
not precisely know, but he had derived
his idea from various sermons he haC
heard at the village church and Sunday
school, which he attended with scrupu
lous punctuality through all weathers
aud although he understood but LITTLE
of the proceedings, yet chance sentences
had fastened themselves on his sluggish
brain.
'I'm on business for the King" h
muttered, reaching up his great stronI
hand and wrenching huge overhane
ing branch from its place and speedil.
converting it into walking stick
"Yes, Pm on business for the King, tn
King Of all around here, the birds, tn
trees, the flowers and the bumble-bees
He sent me, He did. Parson said S
t'other Sunday. He said the King ser
out his messengers to do his work. Il
sent out twelve on 'em oncet, an the
wasn't to take no money in their purs
nor nothin' to eat. He sent me, 'caus
hain't got no money an haint ha
nothin' to eat all day."
He st-ode onward, murmuring hi
thoughts as he went, until after tim
he came upon a public road which ra
through the wood. A placard fastene
TO q tree by the roadside attrac
ed his attention, aud he pause
to consider it. He could n
read, but as his eyes were fx'
upon the printed characters the tink
Of cow-bell was heard down the roa
and presently COW came into view, fC
loved by the short, sturdy ngufe al
round, freckled face of Tommy Broc
Tommy was hourishinga large stick al
ahouting at the COW in his efforts
keep her in a proper homeward dire
lion. AS he came up he exclaimed:
"Hello, Nat What are you doi
here2 p
"rm on business for the King" !
,,liad Nat with diOnity
WOyi 'siness for - who?" ask
Tom =, drprise.
r'or the King. He sent me-" si
Nat. again. "That's his orders there
take it." pointing to the plaeard. "Wl
Is it. Tommy2"
"ThatP Why that's only an adv
.isement," answered Tommy, his Q.
opening wider in his astonishment.