The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-10-03
HIS GOLDEN TOUCH.
The Story Of a King Who Got More
Than He Wanted
BY FRED NYRON O0LEY.


and had a shining brazen roof, there
was roOm that was full Of gold In
this treasury the king spent most Of his
time counting his money and signing
because he did not have more, for
though - rich he wanted 10 b richer.
in fact, t. be the richest man in all the
world
One day, when King Madas-this
was hiS name--was in his golden room
counting his treasure and feeling very
sad because he was no richer, the tear
eame 10 his eyes and rolled down his
I cheeks.
''Oh, miserable man." he cried, ''of
what u>e i il 90 h king il l cannot
have all tine gold / want. On We gods.
give me gold. gold, gold -
The words were scarcely out Of his
mouth when some one asked:
why DO you weep, on king: Your
tears could melt the very stone- to
pity"
Midas did not know the Voice he
looked up from his gOld-piece- and saw
a very handsome youth standing in the
rOonI- He had wings fastened TO his
sandals and % his cap. In his hand
he held 4 rod entwinel with two
serpents- \ touch Of this wand would
waken thO~e who were asleep or cause
sleep in th0-e who were awake, but
/ Midas did not know IL
IF you have come to help me, do %"
said the king Il weep becaU-e l can
not turn everything touch 10 gold"
Then weep no more" said the
stranger From tomorrow everything
[ YOU touch shall become gold"
Midas could hardly believe his ears
/ he had very bong ears, according 10
/ the story, - long. in fact. that some Of
/ hi> subjects called them ass ears, but
/ this may have been because he was not
very wise !, and he would have enter
tainei hi, visitor and offered him
sacrifice, but that strange person had
suddenly disappeared
That night the king could hardly
sleep for joy, thinking Of his new power.
/ Would il L. really -: He awoke at
last from a short nap, and yawned and
stretched himself for his ted was very
hard He found il 70 IL soIid gold
t-esistead, pillows, sheets and even the
! hanging curtains u the canopy were
changed 70 gold Then he knew that
his guest had spoken truth A. he
rai~ed his purple robe 70 place it upon
his shoulders. instantly every thread
was a yellow one and glistened Ike
gold He Sst down 70 strap his sandals Z;
in y twinkling the chair he sat in b.
csne shining metal, and ~ did h.
sandals, straps and all
He went cut for hiS morning walk
happy and joyous because now he
could have al the gold he wanted He
AMUSED himself plucking flowers and
laughed ike a child % ~e erOcus and
aneInone and harebells turn 10 yellow
gold in his hands The pathand even
the gr.ls- he trod on became gold
After while he became hungry and
thought he would 20 lack to his palace
and e.il breakfast. A. he mounted the
marble steps one Of his hunring-hound-
ran up and shifted AT his masters legs
Instantly the dog stood moiionles-, a
golden statue OF dog guarding the
steT,s Of the palace.
ssNN.rF NIL ..rhs- :
/ splendid, but they viii have to * e-are-
I fll, or shall have only golden ssatue-
Of men for c5urtiers and guards I've
sot MY wish and will make the most
of it,
He went into his elegant banquet
room and ordered glass Of wine IL
was brought, and the king r.ai-ed il 10
his lip, bat instead Of sparkling grapy-
juice from syria il wsl> heavy gold 20
Midas was forced u remain thirsty.
His servants brought him the flesh Of
young kid Smothered with lentiIs and
/ a dish of fi,S, but - soon a. the king
touched meat or fruit they turned to
gold He ans from the table with n
brow that was jus, beginning 10 b.
troubled
In the court his nobles crowded
around io offer him their adulaIiOns-
Keep away frnm ME do no; touch
me, - cried Midas in y frenzied voice
'.The gods viii eurse y0a il yOa come
too near the king"
They looked al him and shook their
heads and went away whispering 10
themselves, The king has lost his
wits he i crazed-" And he was left
alone in his splendid palace. He could
have no comfort himself and he could
give none 10 anybody else. When il
eaue night he went Ia bed thirsty and
hungry. and a. miserable a. T. king
could IL.
Before he went 10 sleep there WAS a
knock NJ his door aud voice cried:
king Midas, King Midas, open for
me am the god Hermes, come 10
see thee -
tod. or man, or demon, come in
and tehOld a man cursed OF the gods -
groaned Midas
The door opened and the stranger
with the serpent rod entered
What, art thou not happy, King
Midas a. asked the visitor.
Nay am the most miserable man |
in all the realm Of Zeus-n
..Dost thou take no pleasure in thy |
gold ? thought thou wOuld>t be happy |
with that"
"A king cannot eat or drink gold /
oh, Immortal, answered Midas Il
hunger for nay ehildren's eart-s; my
little daughter cannot kiss her fathers 1
lips beg you TO take away this hate
ful touch
Have thy wish, Oh king; the gods
are most generous Bs.the at midnight i
in the river PactoluS, and thy golden
touch shall leave thee Hereafter te
content with what thou hast
King Midas lost no time in Obeying-
A. soon a. il w.l> midnight he plunged
into the river and washed himself in
the rushing water. The river ran on
over golden sands where King Midas
had stood, but the golden touch left
him and never came hack And i |