St. Landry democrat., 1889-11-09
A Very Ugly King.

A Very Ugly King.
ssNot q hut to be seen anywhere, and no
sign of path leading down toward the
valley. Pm in fine scrape, upon my
word and if storm should come on, as
is likely enough at this time of the year.
then
An expressive shrug Of the speaker g
broad shoulders completed the unfinished
sentence.
By his dress and the double barrelled
gun on his shoulder, one might have taken
him for a sportsman but as he appeared
at the moment, he was certainly not the
kind of man whom anybody would have
wished to meet toward nightfall on a
lonely hillside, with no one else at hand.
His short, square fgure-which had a
breadth of shoulder and depth of chest
that many a far taller man ight have
envied-was covered with dust and dirt
rom head to foot. His clothes were torn
in several places, while his broad, sun
burned face, from which pair of i'm
mensely long mustaches and thick, tufted
beard stuck out like horns, was plentifully
smeared with earth and covered with
streaks of blood from the scratches which
he had received in forcing his way through
the bushes. In short, any one who had
happened to meet him in that wild place
would certainly have thought him a
sportsman" of the sort which is very
common among the Italian mountains, viz :
brigand.
Camping out in the rain won't hurt me
much, after all" he muttered, looking up
at the darkening sky, "for I'm pretty well
used to it by this time; but it would be no
joke il were to fall in with band of
robbers, and this seems very likely place
for gentlemen of that sort. What prize
l should be for them wonder what
ransom they'd want for me? A pretty
heavy one. l fancy. when they once found
out who | was"
And well might he say so, for this dusty,
little man was no other than Victor EN-
manuel himself, the king of all Italy
A sportsman to his very finger tips, the
King never lost chance of a shooting ex-
cursion among the Apennines, the great
mountain range of Italy; ands this time,
having followed his game too far, be had
got separa ed from his companions, and
had lost his way, which he was now vainly
trying to find.
Ali at once he espied hut little way
above him, the first that he had yet seen
in this wilderness of steep, gloomy hills,
which surged up like waves on every side
as far as the eye could reach, so thickly
covered with bushes or blocks of stone
that the strongest man would have had
hard work to make his way among them.
Good day to you, mother" said the
King, taking off his cap politely to an old
woman who seemed to be the only inmate
of the howell. "Can you tell me the lear
est way down to San MARITIME Valley? I've
been out hunting and lost my road"
"Ah, that's always tie way with you
town folks answered old Brigida Bird
get, in a tone of good-humored contempt,
"when once you get among our mountains
you are as helpless as children. Well,
could guide you down to the valley as
well as my son Maso (Thomas) himself,
but if you take my advice you'll step in
here and wait till the storm passes, for it's
just coming on"
"Many thanks" said Victor Emmanuel,
entering and seating himself on block of
wood in the corner. "And now," added
he, emptying his game bag on the floor,
eff you can cook me these birds, I'll pay
you well fer your trouble, and you are
heartily welcome to your share of them
when they're ready"
The old lady s keen black eyes sparkled,
for meat of any kind was quite an event in
her life. She fell to work with will to
pluck and prepare the Jirds, while the
king, as he heard the rain begin to rattle
upon the roof like shower of bullets. con-
graduated himself upon having found
shelter and food, at least, even if he had
not found his way.
When the game was cooked Bri-
gida produced loaf of black bread, and
broken pitcher of goats milk, and the two
made hearty meal.
"Upon my word" cried the king, help
ing himself for the fourth time, Il never
enjoyed dinner SO much before I"
Its the mountain air that does that"
rejoined Brigida, nodding her gray head
knowingly. 81 can't think how you folks
can live at all down in those big towns,
where you breathe nothing but smoke and
dirt all day long. No wonder you all die
so soon. If you were to come up here into
the fresh air, you would live twice as
long"
And SO they ehatted on, till at length it
came out that "a Brigida's one great wish
was to see the king.
boy Maso," said she; ''what fine fellow
y,
that should be quite happy if could see
him just once"
"Be happy, then, Mother Brigida," said
Victor Emmanuel, smiling, "for you see
him now. am the king"
But instead of being at all impressed by
this startling announcement, the old lady
broke into shriIi cackIe of irreverent
laughter.
600 along with your tricks upon an old
woman y she cried, giving him hearty
slap on the shoulder. 600 you think Pm
silly enough to believe that the great king
Of Italy is such an ugly little brigand as
Vou?"
"Well. have it as you please, good
MOTHER said the king, laughing heartily
n his turn, for he always enjoyed joke, |
wen when it told against himself. :.But |
see the rains over, so now I'll ask you to
oe good enough to show me my way
Egchange.
Minnesota's Suferings
sY DROUTH, FIRE AND sICKNEss-FROsT
FEARED BEFORE RAIN COMBS.