The morning times., 1895-08-11

lie-a lie surely as white as snow He
knew that mems chief instinct is, sheep
like, to go with the common herd Thus
he gained his point and instigated the
great military strike.
IL
On the morrow the troops were to start
They were to be inspected by the king, who
was to see them off at the port OF embar-
kation.
Peter TX of Eidunnovehr was good
sort OF fellow enough as kings go. which
is not saying too much in his favor. He
did all things vicariously, through agents
and officers, even TO the payment Of his
household expenses, which were betrayed
for him by the broad-backed taxpayer.
II is quite a wonder he did not eat his
meals through the mouth or some high
court official kept for that purpose. As
an instance OF how far this sort Of thing
can be carried, il is only necessary to cite
the well-known case OF the youthful mon
arch for whose behoof whipping boy
was kept to receive the flagellations
which under ordinary circumstances
would have fallen to the august individ-
ual's lot. Thus it was that Peter merely
wished his arm : eeGspeed, and went out to
conquer and win glory vicariously, for his
life was precious, kings being few and the
people many.
The troops were drawn up in martial
array, and Peter, supported by bis son,
the heir-apparent, sat upon his noble charg-
er, who had never charged any one, e4-
cept the nation. The monarch was begin
ming to marvel why soldiers and officers
alike stood so calm and impassive, N ak
| ing no attemt to start upon their march,
when group of generals, headed by the
commander-in-chief, the Duke of Granta,
came leisurely up to him.
Your majesty said the latter, who
| had been chosen spokesman, lit ts my
| duty to tell you that we, the whole army
| have decided to strike"
"a blow for victory suggested Peter
That is well"
mot so, sire. Our true duty has beer
| pointed out to US by q humanitarian anC
| pacific patriot, and we have resolved, po
litely but firmly, not to go out to thc
| front"
| The king started back aghast and hi
steed neighed disapproval.
Hal" exclaimed the former. This Il
treason! No, stay; the term is obsolete
All the strikers shall go TO prison and b.
| tried by coUrt-martiaIl"
| A long meIodious, scornful laugh brok
from the entire army, and the duke spok
again:
| Your majesty must permit me to com
ment upon the absurdity of that remark
| There IS no one to imprison US but yourself
and as you are used to doing things yicari
a
US all The only alternative, then, is u
walk ourselves into Jail and hold court
martiaIs upon ourselves-an idea so com
plicated as to require the mind Of a William
Schwenk Gilbert 70 grasp IT."
but where are the police, my faithful
myrmidons, whose number is legion ant
whose name is Robert?''
They are not supposed to interfere Il
purely military disputes. Their sympathie
are with US. The people are with US. Be
sides, If you put US in prison we can't figh
| at the same time, sect comes tothe sam
thing
Would slight rise in pay do?' Pete
| suggested feebly. Say a penny q wee
all round?''
No, it would not do. You forget tha
you pay them vicariously, and the taxpaye
says he won't have it settled that way
We have asked him. He won't have his bes
blood shed for visionary quarrels abrOa
that he doesn't half understand aud doesn'
want to. He'll welcome US on the nativ
soil to defend our own homes should the
be attacked He wants peace perpetua
| neither more nor less
Great heavensl Then to resort to
familiar coloquialism, L am cOrnered'P
Yes, l think We may fairly be said t
have placed your majesty in the ape
| of an august rectangle."
So the whole army marched in due oTde
back to the various barracks, and Kin
Peter rode home to his palace, sad an
thoughtful, for 1t seemed that troubles an
difficulties were gathering thick and IA:
| around him.