Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-12-30

only man in the kingdom who coul
make avenison pasty as avension past
should be made. The king had misse
the pie ever since; to be sure, Golre
had sent his royal apologies, which ha
been accepted, but that didn't bring tn
pie maker back to life, and the old kin
was in no mood to entertain at Chris
mas feast the man who was indirectl
responsible for this dire misfortune.
The Most Noble Master of Court Et
quette insisted that the invitation I
Golrex must not be delayed anothe
day, whereupon Henry inquired no,
many days would yet intervene befor
Christmas. The Most Noble Maste
started to count on his fingers, but tn
king sounded the gong at his side an
summoned the Keeper of the Royal Ca
endar, a wizened little man, who hurrie
in with an important looking big bool
He gave the trio most profound bow
but Henry could not fail to notice tina
it was meant more for the Most Nobl
Master of Court Etiquette than for tn
king.
"Can you inform us,' asked His Mai
esty, "when Christmas cames?o
"Your Majesty" replied the little man
"if my memory serves me right, and I'm
sure it does, for my memory just seem,
to dote on dates, can remember ant
give you without moments hesitation
the date OF every event Of any moment
whatever in your Majesty's reign, many
OF them to the axact minute, and some
OF them to the very second-"
The king was raging with impatience
and the Noble Master of Etiquette was
almost in an apoplectic condition with
surprise and indignation.
"Will you tell us when Christmas
comes?" the king thundered.
"Why to be sure, to be sure! Wasn't
1t that for which 1 came? AS l was say.
ing, If my memory fails me not, it is due
on the twenty fifth day of December"
Even Old Henry lost his temper at this
point, and the king without word took
the royal calendar from its keeper, and
began tocount the days. When he reach
ed Christmas day however, he turned on
the now thoroughly alarmed keeper, in
o greater rage than ever, and pointed to
q great blur upon the page.
"What means thisp and the old kings
voice shook the chandeliers. "The royal
calendar in such condition! Is ii DOS
,iblep
80, sire" walled the PROSTATE keeper,
1T was the infants of the royal nursery |!
They have visited my apartments every
lay for weeks, counting the time until
could not deny them, and
perhaps some royal little hand may have
iropped confection upon the hitherto
lntarnished page. l."
eyes! yes!w cried the king, in fine
arcasm, "throw the blame on innocent
my own flesh and blood, toow
And without moro ado, he tore the
oiled page from the book, and threw
he volume at the keepers head, and or
ered him from the room, an order which
he little man lost no time in obeying.
1t was now the Most Noble Master of
'ourt Etiquette who was seized with
onsternation.
"oh, your Majesty phe cried with great
obs in his voice, "you have torn Christ
1as day from the calendarp
"Tut tutp exclaimed the king, who,
aving given vent to his passion, was
ow calmer, II know have, but what
1T? We can get o new one.s
"Oh, sire! alack, alackp walled the
laster, "you can not, indeed. Do you
OF remember that the Royal Keeper re-
elves one calendar on each New Years
ay, bearing the royal seal, and under
o circumstances can another be used 4
uring the year. The court and people,
ing and kingdom, are ruled absolutely
that calendar, and If no Christmas |
ay appears in il, we can have no Christ
las day! Oh, alack-a-day.
"Do you think itwould do any good to
Secute that Royal Keeper" asked the
ing.
at would not bring back the day."
ghed the Master, "and had such an
Squisite program arranged for the en-
rtainment Of our guests"
Old Henry, who had been in deep
udy for the past few moments, now ex-
"Why, your Majesty! You've solved
10 difficulty! If you have no Christ
as day in the kingdom-and you won't
there's none in the calendar-you
ont have to entertain King Golrexl
nd twin be his turn again next yearp
'Why to be spreP cried the king, "you
Q right! The question is solved, and
will issue royal proclamation, at
ice, notifying our subjects dutifully to
stain from even thinking of Christmas
is year. And to reward you my dear
enry, for suggesting what the officer
hose business 1t is to make such sug-
stiens has neglected. and the king
ared inroyal displeasure at heshrunk.
Most Noble Master, ~ will allow you
oh, well, make yourself at home,
ke your. time and we'll discuss the
eston OF reward later. Any sugges-
'ns3you have to make. however, will
cheerfully received.p
Your gracious Majesty" replied
'nry, realizing that his long longed-
chance had come, ats just this way.
have daughter, whom am told, is
Q Of the fairest and sweetest flowers
your Majesty'scou She has q suitor;
,ung Helmer, good enough in his way
u know, but still, your Majesty, 1 fear
rtain strains Of plebian blood in his
ins. But, In moment Of weakness /
omised him that my daughter should
his bride on Christmas day.
But there'll be no Christmas,n said
, king.
Very true, and thereat IreJoice. Be.
use, your Majesty-may speak can
lly?-my devotion to the royal family
such. that i wOuld not dara IN o,i,,a