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


''Wcll. Antonio. II you are indus
trious and will prove that you really
wish 10 learn. you shall be taught by =
thoroughly good teacher. and BY and
by you shall have a flute Of yourown 70
keep. How will that do?'
You may imagine how happy the
little Sayoyard was at that Selling
the Kings hand In his email brown
paws he kissed il again and again. and
then an appointment was made for him
10 come 70 the palace the next day. In
order that the whole matter might DO
arranged. The next morning Antonio
walked into the courtyard Of the palace
with pride and happiness in his heart.
lie was taken in charge by tho
Court Capclmeister. who had been
| given orders to see whether the child
really possessed any musical talent
Ills report was most favorable. and
from that day Antonio had his hearts
desire. lie studied we'll. and made
such progress that soon he was al-
lowed 10 play daily before the King.
All this kindness aroused the deepest
gratitude within the boys heart. lie
almos, worshiped the King. and longcd
to giyc proof Of his devotion. Strange
~ enough m opportunity came in .
very short time.
One evening Antonio noticed an UNI
usual amour; Of whispering among the
servants Of the palace. who seemed to
be holding "A consultation. Feeling
sure that something must be wrong. he
took care 10 -isc c-rl; he next morn
ing. and to hide himsclfin a dark corner
OF the kitchen. where he could see
without being seen. He had a long
time To wait. but at last he saw n OF
the cooks coming 10y with q folded
paper in his hand At first he thought
it "A letter; but it was very curious that
when the man opened it "A fine white
powder came sitting out. ard fell
straIght into a pot OF chocolate that
happened TO bc standing IN the table
read. 10 be carried in 70 King Frederick.
Out came the little Savoyard from his
dark corner, and in a state 81 the grent-
est excitement rushed oil To the Kings
apartment.
..Oh. sir" he gaspcd forgetting his
manners and the respect due The pres
encc OF the King. '.Oh. sir, do not
mind what | say-refuse the chocolate
this morning. It will kill you - they
have put poison in It'll saw EN-
saw them
Then as calmly rs he could. Antonio
told his story 10 the King. and a no
ended brea~fi-t came in At almost
the same moment came a general To
hold a council with his Majesty. The
King greeted him with tranquility No
one would have known he had just
learned 81 a plot against his lie.
Presently the servant poured out ,
Gun OF chocolate and offered il - tho
King. Frederick eyed him o sharply
that the man trcmbied and grew pale.
..Nhat ailS ycu? asked his master.
in a quiet voice. ''Arc you ill''
mo. your Majesty. but IL"
Possibly il you drink n cup Of this
warm chocolate it may do you good
cried the King.
The servant threw hlmsei a. tno
Kings feet.
Mercy. your Majesty' mercy 10
cried.
\ rctched man. answcrcdth King
This cup j. poisoned
: The man protested that the powder
| would only have made his Majesty IN
conscious. that ii would nave done nc
i real harm. For answer the King gave
4 the chocolate to a dog. The poor brute
9 had scarcely taken it when i began u
suffer. and soon was dead. The ser
n want thcn confessed
The King charity to the helpless
Savoyard had made for himself !
friend whose ~shrcwdness and devotion
defeated the cunning Of the assa-sins
And that was how Antonio saved IN
0 King. Elizabeth Abercrombie. IN St
|. Nicholas