The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-30
BERTHOLDE THE DWARF.
His Shrewd Answers ut the Court of
Alboin, King of the Lonbards.

Mary Shears Roberts, in her series Of His
toric DWarfs contributes an article on Ber-
thoIde to the January st. Nicholas. Bertholde
was an Italian. and one day he made his way
70 the palace Of Aiboin, king of the Lombards
at verona, and boldly seated himself in an
empty chair next the throne.
The COurtiers were as much SURPRISED at
his audacity as they were amazed at his gro
teSque appearance; but the Lombard chieftan
smiled grimly upon the intruder and inquired
OF MN what ne was, when he was born,
and in what country"
Il am man." replied the dwarf. where
upon the attendants went off in fits of laugh
ter; II was born when came into the world
and the world itself is my country"
King and courtiers now began to realize
mat they had a shrewd little imp before
them, and they commenced to ply him with
questions of all kinds The asking of conun-
drums was a sort Of trial of wit to which
soveTeigns wer much given at that period OF
history.
What thing is that which flies the swift
est?" asked one.
Thought replied, BerthoIde promLtly.
W. what is the gulf that is never niled?'
The avarice of a miser," was the ready
answer Of the quickwitted dwarf
people?''
Self eonceit, because it makes them I'M
How would you catch a hare running?"
inquired the king
I'll stay until 1 find her on the Spit
How would you bring water in a sleve?"
I'D wait until it was frozen' answered
the dwarf, readily.
The king was delighted For so clever a
reioinder," he said, you shall have from me
anything you may desire. "
"Oh, no!' cried Bertholde, with a hooking
laugh Il shall have nothing of the sort
You cannot give me what you do not possess.
l am IN search OF happiness, Of which you
any?"
Howl" exclaimed the king. ''Am I not hap
Ply on so elevated a throne?'
if the haOpineSs of man
consists in the height of his seat"
Then Alboin referred to his kingly power
and dignity, and the dwarf retorted with an
other hooking laugh; and when the king
called attention to the mobiles and courtiers
about him, Bertholde with a sheer remarked:
on, yes, they cluster around your throne;
so do hungry ants round a crab-apple and
with the same purpose-to devour to-
well said," spake the king keeping his
temper, but all this does not preTent me
from shining among them, as the sun among
the stars
True; but tell me- shining sun. how MANY
eclipses you are obliged to suffer in a year?
For the continual hattering of these men
must now and then darken your understand
ing"
For this reason you would not be cour
tier?" inquired his majesty, whose fingers
began to play upon his sword in a threatening
manner.
Miserable as I am I should be sorry to be
placed in the rank of slaves replied the
dwarf Besides, l have not the necessary
qualities to succeed in this fine employment
What, then, do you seek at my court?"
asking the king in an angry tone.
something | have not been able to find
there, answered BaItholde. 81 was told that
tower is above common houses; l find. as I
suspected that sovereigns are honored more
than they deserve.
This was little too much. The king lost
his patience, and commanded the dwarf lester
to leave his palace Immediately or he would
have him whipped out Of court.