Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-07-30
FREDERICK THE GREAT.

1t is related of an illustrious Russian
general, that when boy he lived for
some time at the court of Frederick the
Great, where the following incident oc-
Cured:
After the death OF his father, his
mother had many hard struggle to
support herself. This fact was we'll
known to her son, whose greatest am
bition at this time was to be able pro-
vide comforts for her by his own exer-
tons.
To his sorrow, he soon found that it
was quite impossible to save any mon
ey for that purpose out of his small al
lowance. He did not despair, however,
but assiduously set himself to watch his
opportunity.
AT length an idea flashed through his
mind. 1t was recognized custom
that one of the pages should sit up all
night, in room adjoining the kings
sleeping apartment. to be ready at any
moment to obey summons, should
the king require his services.
Fritz discovered that to some of the
pages this duty was both burdensome
and disagreeable, and that to provide
a substitute they would gladly give a
certain sum of money. Fritz offered to
take upon himself the night-watch for
any one who might be willing to pay
him rather than accept the duty when
their turn came round.
The offer was acceded to by several,
and the money thus earned was regu-
larry sent by Fritz to his mother.
One night, the king could not sleep,
and determined at last to call the page
in attendance to read aloud to him. He
called; but there was no response. At
length he rose and walked into the an
te-chamber, to look if there really was
no page on duty.
Here he found page, indeed, sitting
at his post, but sound asleep. Slipping
quietly forward to the table at which
the boy was sitting, the kings eyes fell
upon letter which Fritz had been
writing to his mother when overpow-
cred by sleep. The king read the fol-
lowing lines:
my DEARLY BELOVED MOTHER: This
is the third night that have taken watch
duty for a comrade. can scarcely hold
out any longer: but rejoice greatly that /
have again earned ten thalers for you, which
send in this letter."
With heart deeply touched by this
proof of tender filial affection, the king
went softly back to his room, took out
two rolls OF ducats from drawer, and
returned to the sleeping page, into
whose side pockets he gently slid the
rolls of money. Then betaking him.
self again to bed, the king considerable
ly left exhausted nature to restore it.
self.
Fritz at last awoke with start, to
find that he must have slept for several
hours; and, when finding his pockets
heavy, he thrust his hands in and pull
ed out the precious rolls of money, he
conjectured at once what had happen
ed.
Fear made him tremble, for it was q
heinous offence to be caught asleep at
his post; but in spite of the fear and
shame he experienced, he could not but
rejoice, for now he had ample means to
assist his mother for long time to
come; and he hoped that the king. who,
in the goodness of his heart, had put
the ducats into his pockets, would par
don his grievous fault.
In the morning he seized the very
first opportunity to approach the king,
acknowledge the great dereliction of
duty of which he had been guilty, and
humbly beg for pardon.
One hurried glance at his monarch's
benevolent countenance was enough,
for there he read not only forgiveness
but approval; the kind eyes bent upon
him melted him to tenderness, and it
was with faltering voice he now gave
expression TO his heartfelt gratitude
and thanks for the munificent gift his
majesty had bestowed on him.
The king did not attempt to conceal
the high admiration he felt for the filial
love which had prompted Fritz to such
noble. self-denying exertions. He made
a few kindly inquiries regarding his
mothers circumstances, assured him of
his entire sympathy, and promised that
from that day it would be his endeavor
to promote the interests and pave the
way to advancement of such a faithful,
loving son.
And Frederick the Great was as good |
as his word. Step by step, as years
rolled on, Fritz rose from one position
of honor to another, and as n brave and
skillful general he served his beloved |
king faithfully and well even to old age.
boston Commonwealth.