The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-11-08
For Young READERS.
LITTLE CHRISTEL AND THE
KING.

Fraulein, the young schoolmistrcss, to her
pupils said one day;
" Next week at Pnngster holiday King Ludwig
rides this way;
And you will be wise, my little ones to work
with will at your tasks,
That so you may answer iearleSsly whatever
quest II he asks.
1t would be shame too dreadful il the King
should have 1t to tell
That Hanse missed in his figures, and Pc
terkln could not spell!'
'Oho! that never shall happen" cried Han
sci and Peterkin, too,
Wen snow King Ludwig when he comes,
what the boys in this school can do"
And we, said Gretchen and Bertha and all
the fair little maids
Who stood in a row before her, with their
hair in flaXen braids,
" We will pay such good attention to every
word you say
That you all not be ashamed of us when
King Ludwig rides this way
She smiled the young schoomistress, to see
that they loved her so,
AND with patient care she taught them the
things It 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 ia st
with Joy and fear,
Ana Fraulein trembled and grew pala. as
the cavalcade drew near;
But she blushed with pride and pleasure
when the lessons came to be heard,
For ip all tire flock Of her boys and girls not
one of them missed word.
And King Ludwig turned to the teacher
with smile and gracious look;
"a 1t is plain, said he, that your scholars have
carefully conned their book.
But now let us ask some questions to see if
they understands;
And he showed to one of the little maids an
orange in his hand.
1t was hristcl, 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 tor" 40 he
called her to his knee;
And at once-"rhe vegetable" she answered
quietly,
" Good, '" said the monarch, kindly; 'and showed
her piece of gold;
Now tell me what this belongs to, the pretty
coin that ! hOd?"
She touched it with careful finger, for gold
was metal rare,
And then" The mineral kindom!" she an
swered with confident air.
Well done for the little madchen! And
good King Ludwig smiled
At traulein and her sister, the teacher and
the child.
Now answer me one more question:" with
twinkle OF fun in his eye
50 What kingdom do | belong tor" For he
thought she would make reply:
The ANIMAL; ana he meant to ask with Il
frOwn, if that was the thing
For IA little child like her to say to her lord
and master, the King?
He know not the artless wisdom that would
set his wit at naught,
And the little Christel guessed nothing at
all OF what was i'll 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 You belong tor" her limo
cent lips repeat;
Why surely, the Kingdom of Heaven!" rings
out the answer sweet.
And then Tor a breathess moment sud
den silence fell,
And you might have heard the fall of a leaf
as they looked at little Christel.
But it only lasted moment, then rose as
sudden shout
Well done, wei done for little Christel!' and
the braves rang about.
For the King in his arms had caught her, to
her wondering, shy surprise,
And 0VeF and over he kissed her with n
mist of tears in his eyes.
May the blessing of God" he murmured
forever rest on thy head
Hencetorth 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 year.
And because in his heart was hidden the
mGmor, of this thing
The Lord had a better servant, the Lord had
Mrs. Na,V r. Brrdle,, in Wide AuGhs.