News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-08-10

glass OF milk Tor MIN, won Z you stay
here tonight p
"I don't know whether it be ORDERS"
he answered uncertainty. "Parson
said the King sent out his messengers,
an they wasn't to take no money nor
nothin' to eat, an don't know if it be
right to STOP"
go yes it is" replied Mrs. Tracey,
catching at once an idea of his thoughts.
81 heard what the parson said too.
When the Kings messenger entered
house he was to abide there-that is to
stop. Don't you remember ?"
Nat considered the proposition.
"Yes'm; that's his orders. I'll stop. !"
he said.
"And, Nat" pursued the lady, rem
dered eager by her success, ''there's
another thing the king said-you heard
it at Sunday school. He said, Suffer
little children to come unto me that
is, such little children as mine there. )"
pointing to them as they stood at her
side. "And the King said. too
sWhosoever shall offend one of these
little ones it is better for him that
milestone were hanged about his neck,
and he were cast into the sea- The
King doesn't wish any harm TO come to
his little ones, in any way-you remem-
Der that?"
"Yes'm," replied Nat absently.
"Well, them" continued Mrs. Tracey,
driving the concluding nail into her
argument, "if any bad, wicked
men should come here tonight, and try
to hurt me or these little ones that be-
long to the King, you would help us,
wouldn't you ?"
She waited anxiously for the reply.
He looked at her vaguely for moment,
and then his eyes wandered aimlessly
around the room, and then back to her.
Finally he said quietly:
"The King sent me. I'll obey orders. I"
How far he understood she did not
know, and all her effort could draw out
no more definite reply, and with that
she was obliged to be content. As
the evening grew late she provided
her guest with a sleeping place,
in an adjoining room, by throwing a
few quilts on the foor-for Nat would
sleep nowhere else-and then she lay
down without undressing, on bed be-
side her children. But it was long
time before slumber visited her troubled
spirit.
As for Nat, no thought of worry or
anxiety for the future was on his mind,
and he 'slept the sleep of the just" and
his dreams were peaceful. But
after a time those dreams became
disturbed and discordant-a voice
seemed to be calling to him from his
King, and presently he awakened with
start.
MAT helpi Nat, the King wants
you - came in smothered tones from
the other room.
In an instant he sprang lightly to his
feet, and grasping his stick he strobe
forward and opened the door. A fearful
struggle met his view as he entered.
Two rough, evil-looking men were
there-one holding Mrs. Tracey, the
other the children-and the villains
were evidently trying to bind and gag
their victims. AS Nat witnessed the
scene his tall form seemed to tower yet
higher, and a strange, fierce light
cleaned from his eyes.
'I belong to the Kingr he thun-
| 1ara1 low off l.,
ones ?"
At this unexpected intrusion one of
the burglars released his hold of Mrs.
Tracey, and sprang forward with an
oath to meet him. But it was in vain.
The great stick was whirled in the air,
and then came down with fearful force
on the head of the villain, and he sank
senseless to the floor. The remaining
burglar fastened to his comrades
assistance, but he was like a Guild in
the hands of giant, and in moment
he, too, was helpless and motionless.
Nat stopped and drew the two insensible
forms toward him.
"Now bring them ropes, and I'll
hang abe paused; and left the SEN
tence unfinished. "But there amt no
mDlstones bout here to hang round
their necks p he added, looking up be-
wildered. "Do you b'l1eve a big rock
would doP I must obey ORDERS"
"No, don't believe rock would
do" replied Mrs. Tracey, smiling in
spite of her alarm. "But they will be
coming to presently would just tie
their hands and feet and leave them IN
til morning."
eyes m, so will. The King said
tie 'em hand and foot-that's his orders.
They won't offend his little ones any
more" and in few minutes Nat had
them safely secured.
| need not tell of the night that fol-
lived, of how Nat kept sleepless guard
over his captives, and of how, when
morning came and help came with it,
the burglars were safely lodged in the
county Jail. All that is easily surmised.
But at last Nat was hero-not only in
his own eyes but in the eyes of all 9TH
ers. He bore his honors meekly and
with dignity, as right belonging to a
servant of the KING. He accepted the
numerous congratulations and hand
shakings, wondering, perhaps, what it
all meant, and replying to the questions
heaped upon him with the simple state
ment {: e. just obeyed orders" Moth
ing, however, could induce him to &C.
cept any reward for his services. The
royal command was to take no bread,
no money in his purse, and he would
not.
But Nat did not lack for friends after
that. He still continued his wander
ing, and as the story spread. homes and
hearts were opened to him everywhere.
But it was at Tracey's that he was more
especially welcomed and as the years
came and went it was noticed that his
visits became more frequent and his
: stays more prolonged. Indeed, as
Tracey expresses it
"He'l get his orders to come here an
die yet, 1 reckon; an he's welcome to
all the care we can give him. An !
just believe away up in that other world
we read about, he'll be as clear headed
as anybody, and in genuine earnest
will forever be 'on business for the
King '"-ETSkiTe AZ Hamilton "a,