Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-12-30
BY ROYAL PROCLAMATION.
An Old Time Christmas Story BY Johnstone
Murray.

|
gayest and bravest of all the gallants at
court, wooed and won the love of Aida,
the daughter of Old Henry, the governor
OF one OF the lesser provinces.
Aida came down to the court in the
spring time, and her sweet face the gen.
Tie ways soon made lier prime favorite
even the ladies of the court who could
not be jealous OF such an innocent little
thing, and the old gallants, who found
In her something they had not known
since the lazy days of boyhood with its
nrst loves, admired and toasted Aida,
and the queen herself, gave her won
derful necklace. But no one thought of
making love to Aida with her great in
nocent eyes, until Helmer came.
And Helmer-for him the hunt lost all
interest, the game became tame, and he
waslike Gagged beast save when he was
with Aida. Some of his boon compan-
ions even accused him of writing verse
to her, which Helmer stoutly denied.
! Now Old Henry, the governor, was
crafty man and a shrewd one, and though
his provincewas small, his ambition was
great, and he had long determined that
OF all the noble maids in the kingdom
none was so fit to be the bride Of Prince
Meren-the king that now is-as his
daughter Aida. You may believe then,
that he was not pleased when Young
Helmer came riding down alone one
crisp autumn morning to sue for the
hand Of Lady Aida.
Old Henry was crafty, and the family
OF Young Helmer, albeit not royal, was
powerful and onenot to slight; therefore
Old Henry heard the proposal with seem.
ing pleasure, although burning with an
inward rage.
"Why, my dear young man." he said,
for even governors of small provinces
sometimes forget the requirements OF
good breeding and patronize people, "my
dear Helmer, am delighted. But then
Aida to marry, why, tut! tut! She's
only q little school girl. She can't be
more than
"She was sixteen last month"; inter.
Yupted Young Helmer, "and wise be-
yond her years."
"Sixteen,'replied Old Henry, "Oh quite
impossible, assure you! Let me see. |
have been governor, by the good kings |
grace, for twelve years, and Sappho, my
favorite mare was two years when I |
came into office. Young man, if you
know anything about horses-n
u, know this" replied Young Helmer,
"Alida was sixteen years old last month.
for we gave fete in her honor, and the
queen put a new necklace about her
pretty throat"
.."The queen? So she has gained the ad-
miration Of the queen?o
"of every one my lord" replied,Young
Helmery with honest pride. = ~
Now Old Henry fattered by the favor
shown his daughter was more determn-
ed than ever TO marry her to Prince
Meren, hpt he needs must not offend
Young Helmer.
swell boy" he said, II have not seen
my daughter since she was little girl,
but If she loves YOU
SYes?n
"And yon love her, see no reason why
the two houses should objecty
"Oh, my lordP began Young Helmer.
"You have made two hearts very happy.n
"Not 80 fast, not SO fast," interrupted
Old Henry, "there are some preliminaries
that must be attended to, before even
give my promise. But this / say, IL
Aida is agreed at that time, You two
may wed on next Christmas morn when
the cathedral chimes peal out for the
anthem"
And without waiting to hear more,
Young Helmer bounded to his horse to
carry the good news to Aida, and Old
Henry chuckled as the young man rode
away,
The next day Old Henry decided to
ride to the capital himself and make
personal Investigation Of existing con-
1itions. Not being woman, he was un-
skilled inmatch making; he knew little
Of his daughter and less of Prince Meren;
he therefore decided that his only hope
10y with the old king. TO the king,
then. no would go, and off the he started,
mounted on the youngest and most fiery 1
ION of Sappho with two guards riding I
before and two behind. As he rode along,
ne pondered deeply how to bring about .
the marriagoo of Aida and Prince Meren,
put every plan seemed so impractical
hat he began heartily to wish that he
rad not given even SO much OF promise
9 Helmer. Suppose Christmas should :
'ome around before he had affected a !.
marriage with the princel Then Hell
ner would be sure to hold him to his
'romise, and would carry Off Aida, y
while Old. Henry's chances of being .
ather In law to the future king would .
70 forever blastedi He turned hot and
old by turns, and rode 30 fast that the
yards could scarcely keep pace with Z
lin. ~
Once at court, however, Henry had no o
ifliculty In obtaining an audience with
he king, albeit that worthy was In sore =
'erplexity. But the king esteemed Old 4
ienry-else why had he mads him gov !
rnor--and. Old Henry's crafty shrewd- =
less had devised schemes before now !. y
hat had helped the king out of difficult !
less Therefor the king sent word by a y
age for Henry to come into the royal q
resence and to bring his thinking cap V
gith him. p
Old Henry found the king In consulta- y
ion with the Most Noble Master of Court !,
,tiquette, the former fuming, and the VI
after quaking. Itseemed that the king
ad been entertained with his train, ON ~ :,
he preceding Christmas by King Col "
ex, who kingdom lay to the south. Now is y
very requirement Of court etiquette in "
isted that the king should return the y
ompliment this season, and entertain a.
lolrex and his hungry followers. But .;