Morning journal and courier., 1886-05-19
Charles III. and His Ring.

From the Engn&n llluSCrat6Q MaRaZne.t
 It became customary for the monarch and some of his courtiers to seek adventure in taverns and gay houses in the city disguised as private gentlemen. This habit giving much uneasiness to Nell, she resolved to teach his majesty lesson. Therefore she instructed few trusty friends, who were to accompany him on certain night, how they should act. And in due time the merry king and his jovial companions, quietly leaving the palace, directed their steps toward tav- ern famous for diversion. Here they en- countered company of registering sparks and ladies of pleasure drinking wine, inter changing wit and freely enjoying themselves. And one Of the kings friends, finding op- portunity to address the lady whom Charles specially favored, told her she must abstract all the money from that gentleman's pockets without his knowledge, and if discovered she need be under no apprehension of pun ishment, as he would bear the burden of his wrath and explain the object of his joke Furthermore he bade her immediately leave the house when she had secured the gentle mans gold. And she consenting, in due time took the Kings money unobserved, and the courier joining his friends, they all slipped from the house. For some time
  and they not returning, he rose to pay his reckoning and depart. Then he discovered his money was gone, seeing which the tavern keeper soundly abused him for taking an honest mans share with intention to defraud him. Charles explained his gold had been ilched from him and promised payment in full next morning, but the fellow swore he would not be cheated by such pretenses, and he who had drank his wine should not stir from the house until he had discharged his reckoning The more his majesty sought to pacify him the more insolent the fellow be- came. And Charles, knowing how impru dent it would be to discover himself, re- solved maintaining his disguise. There fore, fortunately bethinking of 8 ring he wore of great value, he took it from his fin ger and offered it pledge. But his cred itor declared he had been defrauded by sham iewelry before and would not accept it now. Then Charles begged he would carry it to jeweler and have his opinion on it's value. To this the tavern keeper, after some persua- sion, consented and hastening to a gold smith close by asked if the bauble would de- fray the cost of few bottles of wine. The jeweler regarded it with surprise and his questioner with disgust. "Why fellow," said he, 'Fthere is but one man in England who wears so priceless a stone." Then in quiring what manner of man was he who gave 1t, the other replied, "A tall, black, ugly looking fellow" Hearing this the gold smith speedily put on his hat, hastened to the tavern, and, finding the King there as he expected, went down on his knees and re- stored the ring. A light now dawning on the landlords brain, he was covered with dread and confusion and knelt before his Majesty; but Charles bade him arise and jes- tingly asked if the bauble would defray the price of another bottle. Leaving him and the honest goldsmith to discuss this, he re- turned to Whitehall and sought such adven- lures no more.