Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-19

arrow and bow over his shoulder, came
rapidly walking through the snow. 1t was
a big. powerful and handsome man. You
couId see he was not afraid, because the
gaunt appearance of the ghostlike trees did
not seem to concern him in the least. The
man seemed to be looking for something, for
ever and anon his eyes would searchingly
glance all around him. AT last he stopped,
for he appeared to have found what he
wanted. About 100 yards away from him
he saw small light shining through the
narrow window of little log cabin. "At
last 1 believe 1 have found human habita-
tion. Let me hope its inmates are hospita-
BILE to a lost wanderer." Thus said the man
TO himself as he hurried toward the little
house.
Arrived at the place he knocked against
the door. In another second a young man
pushed back the bolt and bade him enter.
The big man walked into a small room
where a man, woman and little girl
were sitting around a brightly Pickering
wood fire.
EXCUSE me-" said the stranger, ''but
have lost my way in the forest and have
come to ask you for nights lodging under
your roof. am tired and hungry.
The woman at once got up, offered the
man her seat, and she then went to small
cupboard and hauled out meat and bread for
a meal In the meantime the stranger
talked to the others. He was told that he
had come into the home of John Meredith, a
poor laboring man, and his wife and chill
dreu. John complained to his guest that
times were hard and that the winter was
cruel. because there was no work to be had
on that account. However, the stranger ate
a hearty meal, but when the question of bed
came up old Meredith was little confused,
because he had only two, one for himself
and wife and the other for his children. But
before he had time 10 say anything on the
subject, Herold, his son, said: Father, l
guess the gentleman might sleep in our bed,
and little Lizzie and I will find rest over
there in those chairs.
And so it was decided. The next morn
ing the stranger was early astir, and when
ali of them sat around the table drinking
their hot coffee to prepare against the cold
outside, the stranger said to old Meredith:
Ny dear friend, let me tell you that L
am King Cuthbert, the monarch of this
land. 1 was out hunting yesterday and lost
nv way. I am very pleased with the kind
manner in which you have entertained me
this night and mean to be grateful to you.
see you are very poor and therefore give
Won this purse with all the money that is IN
II. 500, ,00O Iguess it is enough 10 keep you
from sIlrNdllOu lOT bIG ICnb Vi sOuA AAlSs
NOW 1 want to do something else. ] like
vour bow Herold, and 1 want to take him
with me to my castle. 1 will take well care
of him. and if he has a mind to he may be-
come one of the mightiest men in our land.
What do you think of my proposition?"
Old John was at first dumfounded when
he saw that vast amount of money before
him. but after while his self-possession re-
turned to him and he replied:
81 am very much obliged to you, dear
King. but do not like TO part with my boy
Heroid. The money you give me, however,
I will accept with thanks.
Then Herold spoke up, Father, !, he said,
''vou might as we'll let me go. You have
plenty of money row and you do not need
10 work any more. Now l would like to go
and learn something, and think the King
is very kind to take charge OF me.
$50 the old man was talked over and he
agreed to let his son 60, if he would promise
to return home within year. Herold did
50, and in short time the King and 10Y
LEFT the little log cabin and rapidly went
away.