The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

ners and hooks of the tower In search of one. But, unfortunately, all of the good fairies were very busy at that time standing godmother to a lot of good little boys and girls throughout the kingdom, and so none came to aid him.
 "Bnt after all" said studlmueh to him self, when he came to reflect on the natter how could l escape without the baby Princes? They are too young to help, and l could not leave them; and If l should sue eeed in leaving the tower with them It might get me into serious trouble with the King. think lt will be better and wiser to wait until they are some years older.
 Thus resolved on patience the sehoolmas- ter spent no more time in pining for free dom, but devoted himself to the care of the Princes. They thriyed wonderfully in spite of the gloom of the great tower, and soon learned to speak the language of their eoun- try very prettlly At five years old they had thoroughly mastered the alphabet, which they could repeat forward and back ward as you pleased. From that time Studimuch began their instruction in many other studies and as the years passed slow ly by they grew to be three of the most studious and noble Princes in the whole world. Nor did the schoomaster insist on study alone They read many books of ad- venture and books on other subjects that Interest boys. and determined to initiate the good and noble deeds they found In them when they had become men and had left the tower
 As a playground 1t would have been hard to equal the top of the tower. It was very broad-so broad. In truth. that an excellent game of hopscotch or tennis could be played there with ease. The only drawback to the enjoyment of the latter game was that some times, when the balls were served with too great force, they would whlrl over the sides of the tower and delay the game until new balls were fetched.
 From this lofty height the Princes had a view of the surrounding country for many miles, and here they often sat to admire the beautiful greens which clothed the earth in spring and summer and to wonder when the autumn months came and the skies grew smoky and glowed at the wane of day like dying eoals if the fine coors In the far away forests and edgng the clouds were of the same kinds as the flames that. leaped about the cracking logs in their nursery fireplace. Often they were quite sad as they leaned, chin in hand, and gazed down upon these lovely scenes, and longed to be wan dering over the plain, which looked to them like a soft green carpet, or shouting and scampering through the distant wood.
 Why do you never leave this tower nor permit us to go?" asked Flitwick of the schoolmaster one day, after he had spent an hour or two in pondering over the ques. ton. Do you not love the green fields and forests which we all admire so much and long to yisit?'
 "Ahi" replied Studlmuch, sadly, "I long to visit them as much as you, but, my child. it is impossible for us to reach them. We are prisoners, as have often told you, and cannot escape without aid from the outside. y
 But you are so wise," persisted Flitwick surely, you can think of some way by which we may leave this gloomy place? But for answer the old man merely shook his head and walked slowly away to the study.