Evening star., 1902-08-23

meant by stereotyped I am unable to say,
but they both kept silent, his majesty
continued:
General Rule and one of the generals
stepped forth bowed and fell back. Gen
eral Practice cried the king and another
one did the same. General Theory" con-
tinued his majesty, but General Theory
paid attention whatever. General
Theory; and the general, who looked as
though he had been sleeping, suddenly
moved to the front and merely asked, Did
you speak, your majesty"
Did 1 speak, beloved the king. well,
I should remark; that is he hastily added,
Il did want you to meet my friends"
General Theory looked at the children
for moment rather blandly, and then be-
gan to mutter and talk to himself. rs he
a great soldier?' inquired Jack, who had
read that great men We're often absent
minded
We'll" answered his majesty, "hes
great in theory; writes service books and
all that sort of thing, quite fad at pres
ent, no good in practice, however" Did
he ever fight a battle, Sir King?' asked
Dorothy. Yes" said his majesty, slowly
He did once" When was that?" asked
Jack, eagerly. Twas the battle of Pong
adonk; perhaps you have heard your father
speak of it Il think not, your majesty
Did he win it?" Win itn shouted the
king; win it,
by the left hind hook of the grazing
mule. he was licked plum out of his boots -
"Oh! tell us all about it, Sir King" plead
ed Dorothy. It's story, insn't it?" Not
much of one,' answered his majesty grim
ly, however, if you would like to know
We surely would sir cried Jack
"Well," said the king, leaning heavily on
his sword, the battle of Pongadonk was
fought" but here he was interrupted by
loud shouts and cries coming from the
direction of the camp.
Hes loose, he's loose-loo1 out take
care save General Theory-saye General
Theory" The king drew his sword and
stood on the defensive, while Dorothy hud-
died close to Jack. What is it, your ma j.
esty?" asked Jack. Anything dangerous?'
'Dangerous." shouted the king, the
most dangerous thing that could happen
under the present system of managing an
army
1T must be something awful" thought
Jack. Indians, your majesty?'
"Indians?-nct much; old General Com
mon Sense is loose, that's all, and here he
comes
The children saw rather oldish-looking
man running rapidly toward the king
while a lot of brilliantly uniformed staff
officers followed in hot pursuit. When he
arrived within few PAGES of the king he
halted and saluted.s
Well sir asked the king, eyeing him
curiously. And now the children had a
good view of this unpopular general He
was, as l before said. rather oldish-look-
ing man with shrewd, keen, gray eyes, a
very determined mouth and an unusually
long nose. His clothes Were shabby and
moth eaten, while his shoes, full of holes,
We're absolutely nlfldewed and green.
"Oh, sir" said the general, falling on his
knees isn't it sabout time 1 was re-
leased?' <
Released cried the king; "do you
Know sir. what yeur release means?"
Freedom sire, srnufmured the poor SOL
Back" replied the king, unceremoni-
ously. Why sir" and. here his majesty
grew quite excited, ''if I were to give you
your liberty. sir, where would my army be
what would become Of my friends, General
Orders, General Rule, and above all Cen
eral Theory? Shame upon you, sir. Here
guards, back tc prison with him.
y our majesty, your majesty" pleaded
the offender 'am l never to be releaSed?'
"Jamais," thundered the king, taking ref
uge in French. 'Jamais, away with him.
And now, children turning pleasantly to-
ward them. ito continue: The battle of
Pongadonk alas the story was fated
not to be told that day, for here the or
derry trumpeter again came running I'D 10
the king, saluted, and addressed him in a
low tone of voice
That's lucky" muttered the king after
the orderly had delivered his message;
that's lucky; hurry him in
But the story. your majesty"
The Drummer Boy of Monmouth" an
nounced the orderly, and new figure ap-
peared upon the scene.
Go be continued)