The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-03-13
CARRYING THE KING.
AN ODD ADVENTURE OF VICTOR EN-
MANUEL OF ITALY.

gain, but Escaped u Threatened
Ducking-A Grateful and Uncon-
ventiOnaI Peasant.
Once, while hunting in the Italian
Alps, Victor Emmanuel started before
the rest of his party, but was soon
stopped by a brawling mountain tor
rent. He was not tall. says Pied
mont correspondent of the London
Daily News. but even if he had been
able to wade across without being
drowned he would have been what in
Ireland is called "drownded," and it is
no help to a days shooting to begin it
soaked to the skin. So when a tall man
happened along the king hailed him.
"You must carry me across" said
the king.
"Well, comrade," returned the big
man, "it would take good deal to
make me do that You may not be
very long. but you are broad and
heavy"
"Oh, come, what will you do the job
forF' asked the king, slightly ruff1ed
by the allusion to his sore point-his
bulk.
Not a sou under 100," the man re-
piled. land l warn you if you tidget
I'll drop you. even if it should be in
the middle of the stream"
"Donew cried the king. But in mid
channel a fear seized him that his
pointer was not following, and BIT
twisted round to have look.
"Bourreau. You shall be paid for
thisv' growled the porter, but lie did
not drop his burden.
Now" said he as he deposited the
king ON the ham, you must pay mt
not 100 but 200 SOUS. p"n'i YOU know
you risked both of our lives with yOul
| fidgeting!''
The king humh,y pleaded that ht
wanted to see if his Cog WAS safe ovel
the water and paid the price cheer
| fully and then asked:
"Is there nothing else l can do fo
your"
The big man pondered. At last h'
| said: 1.-The thing am long wishing TO
| is a donkey. If l had a donkey,
should be happy as king. I'd sell m!
| little crops in Turin then"
"But it is a long way to Turin" oh
| jected the king. wouldn't a hors
better serve your need?'
"What, a horse and no stable?
donkey fills in in the corn shed or any
where, but it would cost nee many
Ira before | should have a stabl
built" said the man mournfully.
And so they parted. But soon after
ward the king provided one of his ow
farm horses and sent it with 20 golC
pieces to his. bearers cabin.
The mans wife was at home an
secuted the idea that beast and none
were for her husband. The messengel
however, was firm. He explained tha
the gifts came ''from the king" Thi
excited the womans mirth. She shou
ed down the hillside to her husband:
"Come home! Here's a horse fc
you, man, and a purseful of golC
From the king! For yourselfP'
1t took the big fellow a long time
get it into his head that all these mi
acles had happened because he ono
helped stranger over the torrent, br
at length he accepted it as true.
That, however, is not quite all tt
story. One day when the peasant an
the cart and the horse were in Turi
he saw a crowd gather, and the peop
said the king was coming. Then
bethought himself of his manners. e
flung the reins to boy, straightene
himself to his full height and went I'M
the middle of the street, holding up a
imperious hand to the coachman on tt
box Of the royal carriage. The coac
man reined up; the mountaineer boun
ed to the carriage door and shook tt
kings hand heartily.
81 am proud to see you, majesty"
said, "for / wanted to thank you Fl
sending me that money and the hors
Look over at him there with the Cal
load Of cabbages. He is hale al
hearty! And always wished to te
you l am glad was of service to "
at the stream. and am sorry l call'
you bourreau."
III The king greatly relished the fran
independent ways of his Alpine su
ject, his unconventionality and go'
q breeding, as well as the hearty han
shake, which was returned with equ
heartineSS.