The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-12-28
THE SERVICES OF GUIDO.
A WOnder-Story of the Time of the
Emperor ValeriuS.

cess, Tor no one seemed to require help.
One day, as he was wandering through
the streets of the city, he heard the town
crer call aloud from the market-place:
whatsoever wishes to serve the good
Emperor Nalerius, let him knock three
times upon the gates of the palace"
When Guido heard the words of the
proclamation his heart leaped for JOY.
cat last, he cried. 81 may do service!
Is it not better to live and serve than to
starNc and be free? And not only may |
serve, but my master is the highest of the
high"
Then quickly he found his way to the
palace and knocked three times upon the
gate. Immediately the doors flew open,
and he stood in vast hall, the grandeur
of which dazed his unaccustomed eyes.
No attendant was there to direct him, So
drawn by the sound of sweet singing and
the music Of instruments, which rose and
fell like the signing of the soft wind
through the trees in summer, he approached
door before which hung heavy curtains
Pushing them gently aside, Guido stood
there, framed in the doorway, motionless
at the beauty that greeted his sight.
IN the centre of the large marble room a
fountain played. Bright-colored rugs hung
the sunlight, streaming through tinted
draperes, was softencd and subdued.
Djvans and rugs and cushions were scat
tered in artistic carelessness about the
place. Beautiful flowers and ferns and
palms lent soft grace to the cold, majestic
Ntatuary in the background. But what
rNctcd his attention most was the group Of
beautiful women and giIls seated. loung-
ing and reclining on diyan and cushion,
and all looking with smiling faces on the
dancing of graceful maiden. Guido had
never in the moments Of his widest imagi-
nation, pictured so much beauty. Accus-
toned to he always among the class that
labored, he had caught no glimpse of the
luxury of the court. These women, glor.
iously fashioned, seemed to him to be god
desSes, and the sweet music sung by a
group of slaves, was heavenly in his
ears.
SIS this what it means to serve?' was
the first coherent though that entered his
bewildercd brain. And the next instant
he knew that this was not for him.
Just then the girl that had been dancing
stopped, and running to the fountain,
leaned over and drank from the palm Of
her hand. Then looking up and seeing
Guido in the doorway, she clapped her
hands and cried aloud in mischief and
in glee:
my reward, my reward
Immediately all the maidens pelted her
with flowers as she knelt by the fountains
edge. Most of them fell over the rim of
the basin and iioated on the surface,
eddying and circling with the varying
currents of falling water. But quickly
the maiden rose from out the shower OF
lily, jasmine and violet, and with the
grace of wild deer ran to Guides side
and looked up at him with sparkling eyes
and glowing face.
''She is fairer than all the flowers he
thought
1t was only then that the assembly
noticed Guides presence, and murmur
of pleased surprise hoated over the room.
"Who are you ~ asked the dancer.
II am Guido, and came to serve the
king"
"Oh, no. You must serve us. This is
the Hall of Pleasure The king is hard,
and knows no pleasure. Come with us"
And she smiled up at him so sweetly that
he almost yielded.
Could you blame him? Suddenly the
starving man saw door opening, which
led to joyousness and festivity. But only
a moment he hesitated.
1.-The three knocks gave me entrance to
this palace. l must not tarry here. Where
is the Emperor %
''If that be so, you dare not tarry here, "
said the girl. "We know not the three
knocks
Then she clapped her hands again, and a
slave came at her call And Guido, fol-
lowing him, passed from the Hall of
Pleasure to the Emperors presence. lie
saw the beautiful room and the Turing
maidens no more.
When Guido knelt before the Emperor
he was raised kindly.
what will you ~ asked Valerius.
~ would serve my Emperor" answered
Guido.
'What service can you do for me- in
quired the monarch.
''SiX services can perform. oh, mighty
Emperor. As your body guard, | can
sleep while others watch and watch while
others sleep. AS your cup-bearer, | can
taste wine, and say if it he good. can
invite guests to my lords banquets to his
great honor and glory and renown. can
kindle fire, which shall warm all those
that seek it, and which shall not smoke
And last | can show the way to the Holy
Land, to the everlasting health and glory
of all that shall go there
IuTboya nro ;pdnnd ,,rant I;nn, tJot ,,n,