The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-01-05
THE KINGS BUSINESS.
Exchange.

wandered poor, half-witted Nat that pleas an, afternoon. He had no particular destination, "only goin' somewhere his reply always to any question in regard 10 lis movements. During the morning he had been parading the village street, his hat trimmed luxuriantly with feathers while he sounded forth his own praise through the medium of tin horn. 0l course he had attracted attention. \ small army of archins had surrounded him. front and rear, ard he had their shouts and teasing remarks for applause and admiration. But now his grandeur was gone. One by one his followers had deserted him, until al last he was left - alone in his glory V and with poor Nat, like the rest of us, what does glory amount to when there are none 10 wit ness
 And so he moved onward in his drift Ing uncertain way, across the creek at the edge of the village, up the hill. until his stalwart frame stood up 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 a forest which stretched for miles away. It was here quiet and lonely, but Nat fan cied this. He occasionally liked to es- cape from human voices and human hab- ltations, to get away by himself and talk 10 the birds, and trees and flowers. Here m the woods the wild vagaries of his brain found full play. Here no one dis puted his claims to greatness. no one de- nled his being general. d gifted orator or musician, when the fancy seized him 10 be such. In fact. Ma, always had greatness thrust upon him :" he was never .n ordinary man in his own es,i- nation, and he was not now.
 But on this occasion d new fancy had taken possession of him he was on bus mess for the King. Wha, king. or what particular business he did not precisely know, bu, he had derived his idea from various sermons he had heard al the vi- iage church and Sunday school, which he attended with sorupuous punctuali,y through all weatherS. and although he understood but little of the proceedings yet chance sentences had fastened them selves on his sluggish brain.
 '' I'm on business for the King" he mattered, reaching up his great strong hand and wrenchlng a huge overhanging branch from its place and converting |, mo a walking stick s'les, I'm on bus mess for the King. the King of all al ound here, the trees, the birds. the flowers and bumblc-beei. He sent me, he did. Par son sad ,'other sunday. He said the king sen, out his messengers to dc his work. He sent twelve on 'em onoe't an they wasn't ,o take no money in thei, purse nor nothin to eat. Guess he sent me, cause hain't got no money an hain, had nothin' to eat all day"
 lie stroec onward. muTmurng his thoughts as he went and after time he Game upon public road which ran through the word. X placard fastened to d tree by the roadside at,r. cted his attention, and he paused to consider II. He could not read. but as his eye was fixed upon ihe printed hafaetets the tlnkle of COW bell was heard down the road. and pres emily . COW came into view. followed by ihe shoI,, sturdy nsure and round. ireck- led isce oi Tommy Brock. Tommy was honrshing large stuck and shouting at the COW in his efforts to keep her in a proper homeward direction. As he came ap he eNclaimed
 
 here :"
 I'm on business tor the king. replied Nat with dignity.
 "oa business for-Whom :" asked Tommy ln surprise.
 For ,he King. He sent me" said Ma, again. " There's h:s order there 1 take Il, pointing to the placard. "Wha, ls Ii, Tommy"
 :" That: Why. that's only an adver- iiSement, answered Tommy. his eyes opening wider in his as,onishment II, says, Go to Traoy's Halfway house for d square meal"
 " Yes, knowed il. kno3ed n ex. claimed Nat. exul,anily "The King said take no money nor no,hin' to eat. an he'd take care Of me. He says Go and I'll obey orders" and instantly his tall hguie was moving swiftly down the road.
 Tommy gazed after him a minute in newildered silence, and then exclaimed emphatically, as he turned away
 My, but ain't he tracked =
 With rapid steps Ma, hurried. swinging hts huge stick and talking to himself. He had taken the placard as veritable Aohlihanu ID go 10 Tracy and thithcT- ward he directed his steps. IL was no, the first time he had been there. On previous occasions, when he had passed ,ha, way, he had been kindly treated by Mrs. Tracy. and perhaps tha, had some thing to do with the alacri,y of his move ments, and he has,ened down the road till ii brought him to a small stream. on the bank of which stood a sawmill. MT. Tracy, the owner of the Half-way house. was engaged here, and he turned aside 10 speak to him.
 'fm on business for the King, and I'm goln' to your house. he announced with the digni6ed gravity that belonged 10 his royal commission.
 'On business tor the King. and goir' 70 my house, eh 2" answered the person addressed, a good-natured smile cross ing his kindly face. Well, reckon that's a high honor to me. You've got ramp afore you. though. Nat-a good seven miles,
 II mus; obey orders" replied Nat, simolv