Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-01-28


4 monarch on his dsath-bed lay. his life wa
He bade his only SON draw nigh ere he should
And said while pointing to the throne: my
son. / leave it thee,
) But take beside my crown OF gold, these words
Of truth from me.
.Thou'rt young, and doubtless thinke:t tina,
this worlds home Of Joy,
But am wiser, and know that life is sad, my
boyi
In torrents pour misfortunes. by drops we
measure bliss
We all must quaff the torrent. but oft the joy
drops miss"
he died The stripping in his place the royal
purpe wore,
And ell the world looked fair 20 MIN VINO now
the scepter bore.
Upon the throne he smilingly sat, and meant to
make It clear
The aged king grew morbid as the hour OF death
drew near.
Upon the palace turret high was hung silver
bell,
none but drew the cord that hung beside the
ROYAL chair.
Where Sat Tue king midst knights and DANES,
the valiant and the fair.
And in the land twas known to all the king that
bell would pull,
When with content unmingled his heart was
trimming full,
And scarce q day he fondly hoped would pass
without peal
Announcing through his broad domains the Joy
that he did feel.
Day unto day succeeded fast, and each was
hailed with mirth
But its sunset was less joyous than the hour OF
it's birth;
And oft the king stretched forward to the cord
that dangled free,
But something seemed to check him, and again
he let it be.
Once strobe he through his lordly halls, joy
swelling in his breast,
For certas the love of faithful friend is OF all
.ru ring" he cried: but to his feet crept one
!. who ben ling low
Sobbed out, @The man you call your friend be-
trays you to your foe
Once rush'd he in, his heart on fire with triumph
and with love,
And said. 20 bell, proclaim my bliss to earth
But whispered his pale chancellor: Though
fair the maiden be.
Not even you can surely count on her fdel-
ity.'
At such deceit the king may smile, he's mon
arch In the land,
He owns purse with silver lined, foes fear his
He still has blooming pastures and fair mead
ows greenly spread,
Around him, skill of artisans, Gods Heaven
overhead.
He hied unto his window, looking downward and
The cradle Of his happiness in every cot he
Back to the cord he hastened. to ring full loud
but see
Here's one who breaks into the hall, and falls on
Bonded knee.
my king hast thou not noticed the smoke. the
fame, the crash2
Behold our hamlet blazing list to the swords
that clashl"
sHai bold marauders!" cried the king, with
anger waxing hot,
And drawing his avenging sword, he touched
the bell rope not.
To silver turnd his Iove-locks dark from sorrow
grew he old,
While still upon the turret high the bell had
And if pulse that seemed like joy his with
cred heart might move
He thought no more upon the bell that still hung
mute above
Now as the king was dying upon his dais
high,
he heard the sound of weeping and marveled
He called to him his chancellor: what do they
grieve aboat?"
NY iege the fathers dying and the children
stand without
lead thou my children to mel-and do ye hold
me dear?"
20 king, il life by blood were bought we'd buy
thee many year."
And footsteps softly sounded through the hall
so wide and vast
OF those who pressed to see their king and bless
him at the last
And SO We love me dearly2 p they answered with
q groan.
he heard the low. deep murmur and his face
with rapture shone;
he raised him slowly on his couch to grasp the
cord he tried
A peal rang out DER hill and dale. and smiling
still, he'died