The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-11-06
For Young Readers.
LITTLE CHRISTEL AND THE
KING.

Fraulein, the young schoolmistress to her
pupils said one day:
Next week at Pnngster holiday King Ludwig
And you will be wlse my little ones, to WORK
with will at your tasks,
That so you may answer fearlessly whatever
question he asks.
1t would be a shame too dreadful if the King
should have it to tell
That Hansel missed in his figures and Pc
terkin could not spell!"
" Ohio! that never shall happen" cried Han
sci and Peterkin, too,
Wen sho w, Hing Ludwig when he comes,
And we, said Gretchen aud Bertha and all
the fair little maids
Who stood in a row before her, with their
hair in taXen braids
Z" We will pay such good attention to every
That you stall not be ashamed of us when
King Ludwig rides this way"
She smiled, the 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
clatter 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.
Ana Fraulein trembled and grew pale, as
the cavalcade drew near:
But she blushed with pride and pleasure
Wnen the lessons came to be heard,
For in all the flock of her boys and girls not
one of them missed word.
land King Ludwig turned to the teacher
with a smile and gracious look;
1t Is plain. said he, that your scholars have
carefully conned their book.
But now let us ask some questions to see if
they understand
And he showed 10 one of the little maids an
orange III his hand.
1t was Christel. the youngest sister of the
mistress fair and kind
A child with face like lily, and as lovely
and pure mind.
" What kingdom does this belong to-" as he
called her to his knee;
And at ONCE he vegetable" she answered
quietly,
4" Good" said the monarch, kindly; and showed
her piece of gold;
Now tell me wha this belongs to, the pretty
coin that | n lld!'
She touched it with careful finger, for gold
was metal rare.
And then" he mineral kindomw she an
swered with confident air.
" Well Done for the little madchen!' And
good King Ludwig smiled
At Frauien and her sister, the teacher and
the child.
g Now answer me one more question:" with a
twinkle of fun il his eye
:. What kingdom do l belong to-" For he
thought she would make reply:
- The animal; ana he meant TO ask with &
frOwn, if that was the thing
For Il little child like her to say to her lord
and master, the King?
He knew not the artlesS wisdom that would
set his wit ut naught,
And the little Christel guessed nothing at
all of what was in his thought.
But her glance shot up at the question. and
the brightness in her face,
Like sunbeam on lily, seemed to shine
all over the place.
" What Kingdom do BUlt belong tor her inno-
cent lips epeat;
- Why surely, the Kingdom of Heaven" 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 a moment, then rose as
sudden a shout
- Well done, we done for little ChristelI" and
tie br;tvos rang about.
For the King in his arms had caught her, to
her wondering. shy surprise
And over and over he kissed her, with Il
mist of tears in his eyes.
- May 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 the
golden coin for her own,
And the school had 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 for
many and many a year.
And because in his heart was hidden the
memory of this thing,
The Lord had better servant, the Lord had
a wiser King!
Mrs. Mary Z. Bradley, in Wide Auake.