The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-06-22
CHILDREN'S CORNER.
tiiE QUEENS MUSEUM.
By FRANZ X. STOCKTON.

There was Queen who founded,
in her capital city, Il grand museum.
This institution was the pride Of her
heart, and she devoted nearly all her
time to overseeing the collection Of
objects for it, and their arrangement
in the spacious hall. This museum
was intended to elevate the lntelli-
gence Of her people, but the result
was quite disappointing to the Queen.
For some reason, and what it was
sire could not imagine, the people
we're not Interested in her museum.
She considered it the most delightful
place in the world, and spent hours
every day in examining aud studying
the thousands of objects it contained;
but although here and there ~ the
city there was Il person who care to
visit the collection, the great body
or the people found it impossible 10
feel the slightest interest in it. At
first this grieved the Queen, and she
tried to make her museum better; but
az this did no good, she became very
angry, and she issued a decree that
all persons Of mature age who were
not interested III her museum should
be sent TO prison.
This decree produced great sen-
]ation in the city. The people
crowded to the building, and did
their very best To be interested; but,
in the majority of cases, the attempt
was an utter failure. They could
not feel any interest whatever. The
was that hundreds and
thousands Of the people were sent to
prison, and as there was not room
enough for them in the ordinary
Jalls, large temporary prisons were
erected IN various parts of the city. |
Those who were actually needed for
work or service which no one else |
could do were allowed to come out in
the daytime on parole; but at night
they had to return to their prisons. |
1t was during this deplorable state
Of affairs that stranger entered the
city one day. lie was surprised at
seeing 50 many Fri. o1a, and approach
ing the window in one of the pris-
Dns, behind the bars of which he
saw very respectabIc-looking citi-
zen, he asked what all this meant.
The citizen informed him how mat
-ers stood, and then, with tears
to his eyes, he added
"Oh, sir, | have tried my best to
De- interested in that museum; but it
s impossible, | can't get up the
interest in it. And, what is
more, | know | never shall be able
o do 50; and shall languish here
o. the rest of my days"
Passing on, the stranger met
mother coming out of her house.
Ter face was pale, and she was
Weeping bitterly. Filled with pity,
lie stopped and asked her what was
he matter. 'Oh, sir" she said, 'for
week have been trying, fer the ;
axe of my dear children, to take ali !
interest in that museum. For .
ime | thought might do it, but :
he hopes proved false. 1t is impos-
ible. must leave my little ones, ,
nd go to prison." ,
The stranger was deeply affected :
y these cases and many others of a y
mliar character, which he soon !;
let with. at is too BAD, too badw y
e said to himself. | never saw a =
lty in so much trouble. There is q
'arcely family, am told, in 7
Inch there is not some uninterested n
erson-l must see the Queen and .
ak to her about it." and with this :
e wended his way to the palace. +
He met the Queen just starting p
ut ON her morning visit to the {
luseum. When he made it known
nat he was stranger, and desired !,
short audience, she stopped and
poke to him.
"Have you visited my museum 7
et?" she said. "There is nothing d
the city so well worth your atten- h
on as that. You should 90 there t
efore seeing anything else. G.
gu have high forehead, I
nd an intelligent expression, s;
I'd | have no doubt that it will ia
rest you greatly. am going there \
yself, and | shall be glad to see Il
hat effect that fine collection has o
pom stranger" r,
This did not sult the stranger at C
|. From what he had heard he q
1T quite sure that if he went to the b
useum, he would soon be in Jail: a
I'd so he hurried to propose a plan G.
hich had occurred to him while on o.
S way to the palace. s
II came to.see your Majesty on the c.
bJect of the museum" he said, G,
md to crave permission to contri- |
tie to the collection some objects Re
hlch shall be interesting to everv f,
e. | understand that it is highly II
slrable that every one should be in W
'ested."
"Of course it is" said the Queen. n,
nd al hough | think that there is tt
It the slightest reason why every ia
e should not feel the keenest inter ae
! in what the museum already con- ne
ms, | am willing to add to it what a
er may make it of greater value" in
"ln that case," said the stranger. al
o time should he lost IN securing 81
nat wish to present" to
$50 at once" said the Queen. h,
'ut how soon can you return!" -
cit will take some days, at least
d the stranger.
"Glve me your parole to return in
week. said the Queen, ''and start "
mediately."
The stranger gave his parole and
t the palace. Having filled i
thern bag with provisions from co