The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-12-04
For Young Readers.
LITTLE GHRIsTEL AND THE
KING.

FrauleIn, the young sehoolmistress, to her
pupils said one day:
Next week at Pfngster holiday King Ludwig
rides this way;
And you will be WISE, my little ones, to work
with will Mt your tasks,
That so you may answer fearlessly whatever
question he asks.
1t would be a shame too dreadful il the King
should have il to tell
That Hanse missed in his figures, and Pc
terkin could not SPELL"
"Ohol that never shall happen" cried Ham
sci and Peterkin, too,
Wen show King Ludwig when he comes,
what the boys in this school can do"
land We" said Gretchen and Bertha, aud all
the fair little maids
Who stood in row before her, with their
hair in flaxen braids,
!" We will pay such good attention to every
word you say
That you 81 all not be ashamed of US when
King Ludwig rides this way"
She smiled tho young schoolmistress, to see
that they loved her so,
And with patient care she taught them the
things 1t was good to know.
Day after day she drilled them till the great
day came at last,
when the heralds going before him blew out
their sounding blast:
And with music and flying banners, and the
CHATTER of horses feet,
The King and his troops of soldiers rode
down the village street.
Oh the hearts of the eager children beat fast
with Joy and fear,
And Fraulein trembled and grew pale, as
the eavaleade drew near;
But she blushed with pride and pleasure
when the lessons came to be heard,
For in all the loek of her boys and girls not
one of them missed word.
And King Ludwig turned to the teacher
with smile and a gracious look;
1t is plain" said he, that your scholars have
carefully conned tneir book.
But now let us ask some questions to see if
they underestimate
And he showed to one of the little maids an
orange in bis hand.
1t was Christel, the youngest sister of the
mistress fair and kind
A child with a face like lily, and as lovely
and pure mind.
What kingdom does this belong tor as he
called her to his knee;
And at once-"rhev vegetable" she answered
quietly,
Good, said the monarch, kindly; and showed
her Il piece of gold;
Now tell me what this belongs to, the pretty
coin that hOldr'
She touched it with careful finger, for gold
was a metal rare,
And then" The mineral kindoml" she an
swered with confident air.
Well done for the little madchenP And
good King Ludwig smiled
At Fraulein and her sister, the teacher and
the child.
NOW answer me one more question:" with
twinkle Of fun in his eye
What kingdom do belong tor For he
thought she would make reply:
The ANIMAL; and he meant to ask with {
frown, if that was the thing
For a little child like her to say to her lord
and master, the King?
lie knew not the artless wisdom that would
set his wit at naught,
And the little Christel guessed nothing Al
all OF what was in his thought.
But her glance shot up at the question, and
the brightness in her face,
Like q sunbeam on a lily, seemed to shine
i What kingdom do you belong top her limo
cent lips repeat;
Why surely, the Kingdom of HeavenI' rings
out the answer sweet.
And then for GREATNESS moment sud
den silence fell,
And you might have heard the fall of Leaf
as they looked at little ChriStel
But it only lasted moment, then rose a.
sudden 8 shout
We'll done, Wel done for little Christel!" anG
the braves rang about.
For the King in his arms had caught her, Il
her wondering, shy surprise,
And over and over he kissed her with
mist of tears In his eyes.
Nay the blessing of God" he murmured
forever rest on thy head
Henceforth, by His grace, my life shall prove
the truth of what thou hast said.'
He gave her the yellow orange, and thu
golden coin for her own
And the school had a royal feast that day
whose like they had never known
TO Fraulein, the gentle mistress he SPOKE
such words of cheer
That they lightened her anxious labor fol
many and many year.
And because in his heart was hidden th,
memory of this thing,
The Lord had a better servant the Lord haf
a wiser Kingl
Hrs. Adrq =. BRADLEY, in Vide A,rake,