The Opelousas courier., 1903-06-06
The CASTLE OF THE BBECHES
The Story Of a Selfish King, a Brave
Soldier, and a Hidden Fortune.
Tudor Jenks, IN ST. Nicholas.

uuOI JENHS, tH ~. 4fbCfNOtUS.
Once a soldier, Sir Alan Howard,
who had served his king and his coun
try faithfully in a long war far from
his native land, found himself free
TO return home. The war had been
successful, and all in the army be-
lieved that they would be we'll reward
ed by their king when he came back.
But while they had been away the
king and his court were busy with
other matters than the war in a dis
tant land, and were not pleased to be
reminded what they owed to the brave
soldiers.
To the first of the returning army
the king was not unkind. Some he
made Of high rank, to others he gave
rich lands, to yet others money. But
finally the king and his advisers lost
patience.
What have we to do today?" the
king would ask his prime minister.
"a few more Of the veterans from
the war in Cathay, your Majesty"
says the minister.
"Botheration!" replies the king, un-
der his breath. When will they stop?
Of course, they are patriots, heroes,
and all that sort of thing, but"
II understand, your Majesty, There
are hard times, and after we have
paid the bills for the royal receptions
on Fridays, the banquets on Saturdays,
and the usual weekly balls and picnics,
a wise economy is necessary"
Thus 1t "a that Sir Alan, who had
been in the hospital wounded. and,
therefore, came to the king last of all,
presented himself before the throne,
it was anything but a welcome that he
got.
well, WELL" exclaimed the king, as
Sir Alan bent before him, your face
is familiar, and yet"
Il have been fighting your Majesty's
battles in far Cathay," said Sir Alan,
modestly.
Another Of the veterans" observed
the king to himself. What an enor-
nous army I must have had!" Then
to Sir Alan he remarked: "Glad to
see you, of course, and all that, you
know, but there's a hunting party. on
hand, and I'm a little hurried this
morning. We've been doing a good
deal of rewarding lately, you see, and
don't feel very rich. What can l
do-that is, I mean-what did you
wish?"
Sir Alan drew himself proudly up.
Il thought" said he, "you might like
hear something Of our campaigns,
and"
mo-" replied the king. "You see,
we've read It already in the dispatches;
besides, it's all over now, you know"
II will not detain you from your
party" Sir Alan said, proudly,
"and l ask for nothing. / am a SOL
der, used to hard fare and rough
lodging. I return to you penniless,
but / am yet young and strong. Good.
and he turned to 60.
At this moment the prime minister
to the king, who giggled,
and then called Sir Alan back.
"a moment, please" said the king.
II do not leave my faithful soldiers I'M
rewarded. We have already paid nearly
all we q afford in pensions, but the
land OF the kingdom still holds out.
My prime minister reminds me that
tho Castle Of the Beeches Is unoccu.
pied. 1t may be a little ont of repair
I haven't visited 1t for some time
but, such as it is, you are welcome to
It, Sir Really, I forget your name,
me-"
"sir Alan Howard, thanks, your
Majesty" replied the nobleman, bow
ing again.
"All right, Sir Alan. My secretary
will make out the paprcs for you. Goo0
and the king rose and hur-
rled away to put on his hunting boots,
which were Of scarlet leather, embroi-
lered with gold thread.
Sir Alan was too poor to refuse the
bounty, for he had only a single
gold piece in his purse and q few bits
Of silver; and even this had to be spent
for an humble lodging while he waited
for the secretary TO make out the title
deeds.
But when he had the parchment safe
In his pocket, though he hadn't even
money enough to hire a donkey. he
set out bravely for the Castle OF the
Beeches, hoping that the new estates
would restore his fortunes, and then.
being still a young man, he expected
do good work in tho world.
To his amazement, Sir Alan found
It difficult to reach his new castle.
After a long and tiresome trip on foot,
re came to the region where he ex-
1acted to see its towers rising TO the
Ky; but there vas no castle in sight,
Ind, what was worse, no one seemed
know anything about the estates.
He had nearly given up hope, when
me bright midday he entered en- old
wood, and, almost worn out, stopped
or d meal OF bread aud milk at the
tut Of an aged shepherd. Having eat
IN his luncheon on the doorstep. the
asked the old mar whether
here vas q castle In the nsighborhood
tss Castle Of the Beeches.