The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-10-18
THE CouRr rooI.

once upon time. the King Of ercs
A Ian Vas cut hunting 10 wood. And. !
the srdor OF the chase be left his coursiei
!. behind, and was no, able 10 hnd ther
again. He songhs vainiy 10 oil direction'
and blew his horn mauy times; but n
!, oae appeared Then he road straight for
: yard. bopiug 10 escape from the forest,
After awhile the trees became thinner
and be came ou, upon some dosos At
/, little distance. hs sas ashepheri kneellni
npon the ground as II busily searching 70
something he bad lost
Hullo, my good fellowl cried The king
riding up to him. Can you tell me th'
way to King Anselm's courtg
The shepherd did not answer him, pol
even look up, but only sighed heavily.
What are you searching for. sifrahi
cried the king. impatiently.
A straw, said the shepherd. sadly.
have been looking al day Tor . straw.
| King Anselm burst ont laughing.
| A straw. my good man, aod what do you
want straw for2
To show which way the wind blows an
swered the shepherd,
BY my faith, have never meta greater
fool, said the king. Why, man, do you
not see how the clouds are driiting9 Why
the wind is in the north, to be sure.
Then must hasten aud bring up my
sheep. for there will be no rain toady, said
the shepherd, aud he hurried of.
Stay. said the king. thou shalt come
With me to King Anselm's palace; for be
,ants fool at court, and such another
man as you cannot be fonnd there
The shepherd was pleased at this. and
at the kings invitation he mounted behind
him on the horse. and they set of towards
the farmers house; for the shepherd said
his master knew ell the country round, and
would direct the king home.
The farmer showed the king the way,
and made difficulty about parting with the
shepherd, though he said:
An you take my advise, you will stay
where you are; for wise man may see the
world, but fool is better at home.
The shepherd, however, preferred to go
with his new friend ar d they rode merrily
together till they met party Of courtiers
seeking the king, then the fool found ont
who his companion was, and be was very
m uch pulled up at the thought, though
he was soon made to dsmount, and to
ride with the kings groom.
When they arrived at the court, the fool
was sent TO the kitchen to be Of use to the
cook, till q motley dress was made in
which be could attend o. the kings per.
son.
At dinner time, however, he contrived
to slip into the ball, and without being 10.
vited took an important seat at the table.
Who srt thou? asked the seneschsl.
A parsonage Of some quality, answered
the fool
How 80? asked the seneschsl.
have ridden behind the king on his
horse, said the shepherd.
50 have we all, shouted the attendants
and sculions; and the fool received many
blows. and was driven out.
When be was attired as court fool, the
shepherd was still more unhappy; but his
quaint sayings made all men laugh, and be
first favorite with the king. AT.
er time his simplicity wore of, and be {
became very melancholy and longed for
lis old home; but his very sadness sat so
II on him that it provoked the merriment i
# the company, aud he wss considered q
he rarest OF fools.
When the fool found he was close pris
'ner, sll hope Of return to the farm left
lin, and hs only sought to make his court
ife more easy. To this end he sought TO :
sin the kings favor yet more; and he soon '
ad the means Of doing so.
King Anselm was too fond OF good
wing, and at great least be overste him. b
alf and was i'll for many days afterward. a
he fool stayed by bis sick bed night and
ay, and did all in his power to relieve
i'm.
Ah, cried the king, il l could only re-
ain from overeating at the timel l
ould give hundred weight OF gold TO
oy one who would remind me OF tbi ~
aid at the next banquet. Y
The fool held bis tongue, but he resols.
] to do AS the king desired.
Some months after great emperor came 81
} visit King Anselm, aud brought with
i'm his daughter, beautiful princess. y
hom King Auselm hoped 10 win 10 mar
age.
At the great feast prepared for them,
e fool waited on the king. bat, on pre-
nting each dish, he contrived 10 draw il v
ray as the king was about 10 help him
II so that very little reached his plate. g
ing Anselm bore this very well for time Gu
Il wishing TO make disturbance, but be q
owned heavily, and at last losing his pa ~
.nce, cried: h'
why dost thou serve me thu
: my faith l will have the whipped. ~
May it please your majesty. said tie u
oil ia loud whisper. feared lest your -
sjesty should overeat aad have surfeit 10
,sin. ~
The princess and all the court smiled,
d the king. blusbiog furioasly, ordered
) guards 10 seizs and bind the poor
ol. "a