Connecticut western news., 1884-12-10

| and crying, he was so tired and frozen and miserable. Bnt, come what might, the boy carried within his fragile little l body the stout heart inherited from a long line of fighting ancestors and he had no idea Of giving up any struggle until he had tried his best. | Surely he would soon come to some house where he might find shelter. He was on his fathers land and he would ask admittance at the first cottage he reached. But ill the dark and piercing | cold poor Heinrich stumbled by several | humble homes, hidden behind their | garden walls, and never knew of them, until at last he came full on tiny window from whose uncurtained panes streamed forth cheerful ray of light. Hastily pushing open the door, he stood in the homely kitchen, whose only occu- pants were four children, the three youngest seated at table, while their sister poured into each bowl @ steaming mess of cabbage soup. They stared with surprise ar the strange child. who stood hesitating on the threshold, and then the girl came slowly forward.
 ''Who are youa'' she said, 'and how did you come here so late, and on such a night ?'
 sI am Heinrich Ernest von L;echen- stein," said the little prince, shutting the door and stepping further into the kitchen. ''I am lost and most dread fully cold and hungry, and want some of your supper"
 The peasant child laughed at the calnness with which the demand was made.
 Well, you can have some," she said, hospitably. "There is plenty more on the stove, because father and mother will want theirs when they get home. But how cold you are and how wet Come first to the fire and dry your clothes, and Hans" turning suddenly to her brother, Ego and bring down pair of your shoes, and then we can all have our supper at once."
 "Oh, yes, please do p said Heinrich, plaintively; ''and hurry, for I am so very hungry!'
 And in three minutes more the little Prince of Liechenstein, warm and dry, was eating his share of supper with most unaccustomed relish.
 ''This is very good soup," he said, with judicial gravity; "but, who takes care of you and gives you your meals ?"
 "Eisie cooked the soup," said Hans "and we are taking care of ourselves till father and mother come back. They have only gone to Vaduz."
 "I know what for" said little Bertha, looking both solemn and eager. "rhey went to get Christmas gifts and we're going to have Q, tree. Did you never have Christmas ?" she saked Hein. rich, with evident commisseration for his poverty:
 "Oh, yes, " said Heinrich, indifferent ly, "but don't care about them. What is the use of having all your things hung up on tree? But would like to see yours," he added, with a little more ea- gerness.
 "Ours will be the incest, I guess, D said Bertha, complacently, and before Elsie could remonstrate at a speech which did not sound very polite the door flew open and 8 man and woman stood in the doorway, shaking off the snow w!-ch covered them from head to foot. The two younger children rushed at them, shouting with rapture at sight of their bundles, while Hans carried of their wet cloaks and Elsie hastened to put some hot soup on the table.
 "Ah, but it Is good to get back p said the mother, with sigh of satisfaction at the warmth and comfort of the i-itch- en. "There, there, Cressy,"-to the baby who still clung about her. 'Let me go and mind you don't touch the bundles. Why, Elsie. child, who have you got here p and she gazed in aston ment at Heinrich, who had been watch ing her with much interest.
 He Is a little boy who was lest, mother" said Elsie, land so I gave him some supper"
 "A poor little boy" repeated Bertha, with infinite compassion.
 "A poor little boy !" echoed hel mother, with glance at Heinrich's velvet suit and draggled lace. "Why, my dear, what is your name and how did you come to be lost on such g night ?"
 "I ran away because was so tired, , said the child, ill his plaintive fashion "I am Heinrich Earnest von Liechen stein."
 "Franz F'ranz!" cried the good wom an, exc;tedIy, to her husband; "did yor hear him? It the little Prince bimself and to think that he should have fount a shelter under our roof Put on youl cap and cloak, quick, my man, and try and get to the castle as soon as you can to tell them where he is.
 .-"Aye, aye, Margaret" said her hus band, stolidly. "Tll make my way there quick enough, though it is a poor nigh to be abroad. But as for the lad, yor must keep him here until morning." "Oh, yes, I am going to stay" sait Heinrich, with great composure, "be cause I want to see your Christina tree"
 "To see our Christmas tree P repeated Margaret, smiling. ''That will be { treat to you. But your mother" My mother is not at the castle Sh, and my father are only coming for a fev r days at New Year. l am sorry yol [ should have to go out in the snow agail : on my account" he added, turning : cautiously to Franz; "but will vol please tell Frau HessIer that there vii