The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-05-24

How the Former saved the Iatter's
Life.

Isuppose there Is hardly n little boy
or girl throughout our land who has
not heard the name OF Frederick the
Great lie was born in Berlin more
than ono hundred and fifty years ngo.
but, although no lived IL q palace and
was the son OF a king. there are few
people In the wor d more miscrably nm
happy than he was for the first twenty
i've years Of his lie.
From boyhood. he had the great mis-
fortune 10 be hated. instead oflovcd. by
his father. who was cruel, ~despotic and
violent (f not OF unsound mind). and
so this poor young Frederick Was a
witness OF mann strange scenes within
tho palace walls. In tho middle OF his
dinner. plates were sometimes hurled
at his head: occasionally lie was kicked
and dragged round the room by the
hair. and once the old King. finding his
son practicing upon the flute. IN "A rage
snatchcd the instrument AVA and
snapped tin two across the astonishcd
boys shoulders.
| have not time to tell you all the
cruel things this unnatural father did
70 his son. but. at last. matters became
30 unpleasant ut home that the young
prince resolved to run way. Being
overtaken. however. he was thrust into
prison; and. more cruel than all. he
was compelled to watch from a window
in the prison the execution Of the kind
young friend who helped him 70 make
his escape.
At the age Of twcnty-cight, the old
King having died. Frederick himself
became King Of Prussia Up TO this
time he had never been allowed 70
have any thing TO do with the govern
ment OF his country, but he had occu-
pied himself in studying the language
and literature OF France and in writing
books
Now his per was laid aside Tor The
sword. ana he busted himself in build
ing up the power D! his kingdom All
his energies were given 10 this n
Ia was 80 industrious that he WORKED
twenty hours out OF the twenty-four.
lie was so frugal-as far as he himself
WIS tOittTIta lnA AN w. 49,
old snufIy waistcoat year after year.
md when he died he was actually bur
led in his valet ) shirt. because he die
not possess a prcsentablo one Of M
own,
But. although he left no rich gar
ments behind him. he left somethin.
better. think-a name. He had be
conc Frederick the Great! lie had IN
! creased his armies. his territories ane
( the number Of his subjects. lie ha'
built magnificent palaces. In which
: members OF the royal family Of Prussia
arc living at the present day. ~
= had encouraged the arts and sciences
4 had approved freedom rather tina
? tyranny among his people. and had per
!. mittcd no persecution on account OF re
: ligion.
9 Our own Washington aroused hi
= hcarticst admiration. In proof Of this
. ne SEN a prussian sword OF honor
y Mount Vernon. with the inscription
y From the oldest General TO the Great
est
y II was this famous King. then. who's
p lie was once saved By the devotion 9
\. little boy whom the King befricndcd
= and this is how it happened:
= One winter. when the Prussian troop
n were stationed in Dresden. during IN
~ Seven Years War. the King made
- his habit TO walk out every morning o
= the terrace along the river bank.
= lie was pacing buck and forth on
y day. according I o his usual custom
\" when d wrcichcd-looking little be-
~ stopped before him. The child was
= ragged little fellow. and held in h
n arms a box almost as big as himself
". ooh. sir. wouldn't you like 70 g
- my marionettes," asked the boy In n
~ simple fashion.
\ The King. smiling, asked Il the
"a were in that box.
y "Ycs. and they can perform ve'
we'll. They can dance; shall 1 sho
!. them to you, sir?" eagerly rcpcate
i. the boy. /.
The King gently shook his head. !
had no wish 10 see the marionettes. .
the little boy interested him. and Y
King asked his name.
i .Ansonio. sir" vas the answer.
am d Sa soyard. The ~marionettes q
's from Savoy. too. We 80 through '
-. world together, and when We ma
- earned enough money TO live on
~ are going home again. and Their
=, hope that J can learn 70 play on !
" nutc''
~ "Arc you 50 anxious, then. 70 bcco'
4 musiciauPr asked the King, more
more drawn 70 the child.
such 4 look Of longing came over
" little ~up-turncd face, that u WIS pi'i
70 sec II. ~.
MI III always practice on my will
whistle" said Antonio; but that's
in like d real instrument. you know.
rca. auto costs too much for me.
des added, with q sigh.
.ich Perhaps the King remembered :
much pleasure he himself had fount