The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-07-11
A PRIZE FUR GOOD DEEDS.

1t u Awarded 20 > Little Girl who was
Too Busy to Try For It.
King kriskross had just come home
from the royal races. There had been
II gala time. but he was not quite salts
fed. lie had sccn trials of speed. trials
Of strength. and trials of skill, and
these be liked: but he had also seen a
great many things he did not like at
Ill. And now he was thinking it all
over
His Kingdom was not large. You
might easily have walked around it
between sunrise and sunset OF the
shortest day. So he knew NIL his sub
jec;, very we'll, and took a fathcrly in
tercst in every one OF them.
Il III getting tired of all this" he
said to himself that day. I'VE have
trials OF skill. but how do people use
their skill9 They make the most of it
to cheat and fool each other. We have
trials Of strength. but the strong inn
pose upon the weak. We have trials Of
speed. but the swift are not helpful to
the slow III have no more such nom
sense! I'll have trial OF good deeds.
and see il that will set people thinking
in the right way. I'll give whatever
the winner may choose for prize. and
lie; all try for il. little and big"
So King Kriskross summoned a her.
aid. and this great offer was duly pro-
claimed forthwith. A certain day was
set for the trial. and on the next day
all the people were to assemble at tho
palace, and one by one were to be adj
mittcd, to tell the King what good
they had done.
When this day came. the King heard
many queer stories. One said he had
searched the kingdom over and could
not find any good deed to do.
III m. said the King, III you had
menlel your own garments somewhat.
it would have been better than moth
ing"
Another owned that he had seen
many little things to do. but had hur-
ried on all day in search Of some great
thing. worthy 10 win the prize.
Stupid" cried the King. mot
to know that you could have come to
the great only by way of the little!'
One declared that he had given half
Of his property in aims.
"And If / award the prize to you,
what is your choice?" asked the King.
"May it please your Majesty he
said, eagerly, 1t is my dearest wish to
possess yonder stately castle.
(Which. as you well know, is worth
hundred times all you have given, !"
said the King. 1.-The prize is not
yours.
And so it went all day. King Kris
kross rerented having offered prize
for good deeds. for he saw thai they
can not be counted good deeds that ;lsa
{ :ae for prize
Last Ut all came little girl that lived
with her mother at. the foot Of Rosebud
Lane. And rs she stood before the
throne. in her plain, clean frock. with
her neat hair and honest blue eyes. the
King felt sure she had done better than
all the rest together.
well, little daughter" said he.
''what good deeds can you claim"'
May it please your Majesty" she
replied, Il had no time yesterday to dc
any good deeds.
mo time TO do good deeds" cried
the King, but what did you do?'
why, mr mother was very busy in.
deed. SO fed the chickens, and picked
up chips, and swept the porch, and sci
the table, and played with the baby t.
keep him STILL"
'Good!" said the King. but didn't
you wish to try for the prize?'
''Oh, very much:' said she. There
was something ! wanted very much. bu
had to give it up, for was too busy
And don't think l know how to d.
good deeds. anyway"
but think you do" said the King
land am going to give you the prize
So now, my little girl, what is it 70,
want SO much?"
At this she blushed and stammered
quite overcome with surprise. And
was only because Of her great desir
that she managed at last to say, YER.
softly: MAY it please your Majesty.
wanted little wagon for baby to rid
IN ~ ynufhsc (sn,r M piD,,