The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-03-25

piece knew all the. time that she was talk
ing TO his majesty, and her ignorance was
altogether assumed. Who can tell what
= woman knows or don't know?
AT all events she made up her mind not
10 deliver the note. As it hsppened an
old women, bent aud wrinkled with age,
came down the road. The giantess mo
toned to her to approach.
Good-morning, Grandmother Shipped,
do you want to earn q thater p
Did she want to earn thaler? That
was more money than the poor old crea-
ture had seen at one time in years.
She took the ring and note aud hob
bled off in the direction OF Potsdam at a
rate of speed that was astonishing in one
so aged. The giantess looked after her
aud then throwing back her head she
laughed so loud that peasant blowing in
a field half a mile distant paused in his
work, and looked to see what was the
cause of the atmospheric concussions.
As for the old woman, it was not long
before she was ushered into the presence
of the Colonel of King Frederick's regi.
ment Of the guards. He was . man Of
immense size. After he had read the
his eyes, looked down at the shriveled up
little old woman, passed his hand over
his perplexed forehead, reread the note,
and seemed to be more perplexed than
ever.
The kings note read as follows:
Have the bearer married at once to the tallest
man in your regiment. You are directed to carry
out this order without fail or delay AMI the slight
FREDERICK WILLIAM /, REX.
"This is something extraordinary"
soIiloquized the Colonel. 6 How this
marriage is going to promote his majes-
ty's intentions in regard to the future
race of giants passes my comprehension.
but that's meme of my business. The
kings word is the law. ORDERLY"
The orderly advanced, saluted, and
came to the position of attention.
"Order Corporal Schmock to report to
me at once also the Chaplain of the regi-
ment."
The Corporal entered; he was the big
gest man in the regiment. When he was
informed of the order of the king he
stamped his foot, that is inwardly, for no
outward signs of insubordination were
allowed. As for the aged bride, at first
she seemed to hesitate, but finally she
chewed the border of her apron and ex-
pressed unwillingness to thwart the
wishes of the king. She was extremely
willing to conciliate his majesty, no mat
ter to how much personal Inconvenience
she might subject herself.
The chaplain of the regiment came in.
and in ten minutes Corporal Schmock and
Anna Shippel were made one. Alter de-
nying himself the pleasure of saluting
the bride, Corporal Schmock hastened to
the nearest saloon, and in AL incredibly
short time he was in the guard house, as
drunk as lord.
A few hours later Frederick rode into
the court yard of the barracks He dis
mounted and was received with usual
honors by the colonel.
How is Corporal Schmock coming on
as a married man"
He is in the guard house, may it
please your majesty"
.What has he been doing?
He got drunk as soon az the marriage
ceremony was over"
Release him. His young wife will
naturally feel lonesome"
Did | understand your majesty to
say young wife ?'''
"Of course she says sheis only seven
teen.''
'I'm afraid your majesty has been de-
ceived, but possibly she meant to say
seventy-one. She looks to be at least
that old"
C. Then she must have aged very much
during the last few hours. Bring her
in."
The aged dame was led in. She was
very much embarrassed and was ready
to sink through the floor, pal ticularly
when her eight feet of husband was also
brought in.
He hurled himself on the floor with a
mighty proneness and besought the king
10 have him urt-martialed and put him
out Of his misery, pointing sadly to his
venerable bride, who, like the daughter
inlaw-elect of the Mikado was " simply
appalling"
k"ko's distress was mild compared to
the mental anguish of Corporal Schmoek.
The king laughingly remarked that it
was plain that there was a limit to his
power, told the wretched young husband
that he would be allowed to procure q
divorce. As for the giantess, the king
allowed her to dig potatoes unmolested.
The incident opened his eyes to the fact
that there was limit to the power of
even the great Frederick.-Aler. S,oeet.