The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-26
KING AND GEESE.

Bavaria, was one summer day sitting In
plain civil costume in the garden of his
palace at Tcgernsee. The heat was indeed
great, and u was SO very quiet In tho gar
den that the king fell asleep over the book
he was reading. He laid 10 down beside
him on the bench and continued to slum-
Der. When he awoke, he thought he
would drive away his drowsiness by TAX
ing walk. The road, which took him
tarthor and farther away from the gar
den, brought him at last to the meadow
which extended on both sides from the
shores Of the beautiful lake near which
the palace stood.
Here tho king remembered his book,
which he had left lying on the bench In
the park. II any one passed by, he might
take the volume, which, being a rather
rare one, the king did not wish 10 lose.
As he was unwilling to return the same
way, he looked about for some one who
would fetch the book 70 him, but far and
wide he did not see single human being,
except n boy who was watching flock Of
geese. The king went up TO him and said,
Listen, my boy; you can go and fetch me
book which have left lying on bench
In tho park, and you shall have aorin
for your trouble"
inc ihui WIN ulu nol knoW the KING,
looked at the gentleman with much mis-.
trust. A florin for so small service
seemed To him TO bo so large an offer as to
be hoax.
II am not the simplcton you take me
for, said he, turning away.
"Wbat makes you think that take you
for simpletoni" asked the king, smil-
ing, pleased with the open manner OF the
lad
because you offer me a Horin for such
atriiling service, replied the boy. money
Is not earned SO easily. The people down
there" he added, pointing his finger to
the distant palace, take us for fools, and
know you are one Of them"
"Well, what II I ami" said the king
"Come. here's half a form in advance
Now go and fetch me the book"
The boys eyes sparkled when he held
the money In hs hand, for he did not get
much more than that for looking after the
geese for the whole year, but still he hesi-
tated.
WELL" asked the king, "why don't
you goi"
Tho boy pushed his cap on one side and
scratched himself behind the ear
Yes" said he, II will-but--I dare
geese, they would dismiss me, and I
should lose my daily bread
I'm watch them till you come back
again"
You" replied the boy, measuring the
stranger from top to toe. You don't
look to me like one that could take care OF
geese. IL they were TO run away and get
lost in these meadows, might have to
pay more than l should earn In year.
Look at that fellow with a black head,
who belongs to the court gardener He Is
an awful old bird, a deserter, a good for
nothing, like all people who have to DO
with court. He would play you fine
tricks while Twas away. No, no; that
would never do"
But why should not be able to keep
these geese in order as well as / succeed
In keeping men In orderS" said the king.
"YouH' replied the lad, again eying
the monarch, with grin. They must
be fine fellows indeed All, now have It'll
You are schoolmaster l tell you, boys
are much easier managed than geese
Possibly, but come, be quick. Will
you fetch the book l will answer for any
mischief that may happen"
This decided the boy. He enjoined the
king to keep watchful eye over the goose
he called the court gardener, n splendid
gandor who might run off directly, lead
ing the whole herd after him. Then he
gave him the whip and ran off, but soon
stood still, and then came back again.
What does this moani" cried tho king
to him.
Crack it oncel" ordered the boy.
The king tried ii, but 1t would not crack
at ALL
That's just what I thoughtr' ex-
claimed the boy THE schoolmaster
thinks he can take care of geese and can
not even crack whip"
Then he took the whip ont of the kings
hand and showed him how TO crack it,
His majesty could scarcely reprcss his
laughter. He tried all he could to learn
how to crack IL. and when he had succeed
ed the boy enjoncd him TO use it at the
right moment and then ran away. Now
the king could laugh as much MS he liked.
But, in fact, IL seemed as If TIE geese OBJ
served mt once that their young but severe
master no longer held the reins of govern
ment. The gander which the boy had
pointed out as the court gardener raised
his long neck, locked everywhere around
hiru, uttered several "qunck, quacksl"
ard then ali the geese raised their wings,
screamed aloud, and before the king could
.ook around rushed, in every direction, to
the meadows around the ialc.
The king cried out Ii was no use He
wanted to crack the whip, but the whip
gave no sound He ran to the right he
ran 10 the left all of no use, however.
Out OF breath with laughing, he sat down
on the trunk Of tree whcro the boy had
been sitting and let the geese go.
The boy was really right" he said to
himself, THAT it is easier TO govern cou-
pie Of millions Of men than TO manage
herd of geese. only IL was that sooundrcl,
the court gardener, who WAS the cause of
all this mischief"
The boy meanwhile had fo md the book
and came mcrrily back but when he saw
what bad happened he let the book fall.
There we have it!'' he exclaimed, sob
hing with ongcr and grief Didn't say
you understood nothing about itS Just
look nowl | can't collect them together by
myself. Now you will have 60 help me. "
After the boy had instructed the king
how he must lift up his arms, wave them
about and shout aloud, he ran of 20 fetch
q H.. Ii = al.