The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-15

they were clothed in silks and satins. and
wore joweled swords by their sides. the
three visitors were far from happy. TAX
ing from the pockets of their slashed
dOuhlets lace handkerchiefs adorned with
black initials. they began to shed tears
both bitter and salt
Our names" said the spokesman Of
the party, who was very tall and thin,
are r. E. Morse. A. Sorrow and Great
Grief, councillors Of STATE to his most
sorrowful majesty Megrim III, King Of
Woe. l am Great Grief, Barren of JOY"
Great Grief Indicated the other two
with a wave of his hand, and they bowed.
with politeness as profuse as their
tears
IL count it an honor. merry gentle
men," said Muchslash, that our SOW
ereign has sent his councillors Of state
| to visit the humblest OF his subjects. Let
us all be thankful that we have arms
/ and legs and a good digestion to wait
/ on them"
1 1T is a sad world" sighed Lord Morse.
Very" replied the honest Muchslash.
| q have Just eaten my last sadiron."
! Then you have. so 20 speak, eaten
/ the goose which has brought TO you gold
/ en- store. Why. l surprise myself ~
/ making a most cheerful sally OF wit,
! said the Barren OF Joy.
Il wot not. said r. +. Morse, Ito find
/ a great physician who would also be
cheerful wight We may. think. broth
| ere in woe, acquaint Dr. Muchslash with
| the nature OF our business.
! Il did not know replied Muchslash.
/ with a rare smile that 1 was a great
physician. I've been busy doctoring
| baggy knees and padding shoulders for a
good many years. You may call me
physician il you like. From what par
ticular brand of misery do you suffer!
/ Have you stitches In your sidesP'
The need OF our king" replied the
/ tallest Of the sorTowful men. us greater
] than ours. Since his birth he has never
smiled, and we fear that unless he does
so he will die in sorrow. We heard OF
you. and have come TO ask your mighty
aid"
HAS he. then, no jester2'' asked Much
slash. who ever heard of a king with
out a dwarf in cap and bells
"Alas," replied the chief councillor.
che has a clown named Mouruful Merton.
who is the saddest subject in all his
realm.
Il opfne. then. merry gentlemen" re-
piled Muchslash that 10 were we'll ]
should first minister 10 the jester Come.
let us HE as quickly as need be
also think that l am talking as becomes
a person who has been called TO inter
fece in affairs of state.
Whereupon the venerable MuchslasD
rose from his bench, and, wrapping MIN
self In his blue chinchilla cloak ana
donninE his shining beaver hat. took his
/ councillors or the august monarch.
Megrim III, ruler Of the Kingdom OF
Woe.
/ He stopped at taverns for food and
drink. and told stories which brought
tears OF laughter 20 the cheeks or all
who heard him. He danced with milk
maids and played hopscotch with boys
and girls, and when at last he arrived
al the gates Of the Castle Blue, where
dwelt the King OF Woe. both he and MS
followers we're in hilarious mood.
The tailor was shown into the throne
room of the castle, where sat the youth
: full King At the feet OF the ruler was
a dachshund with watery eyes, ana or
, the back OF his chair sat parrot, which
, tncessa ntly repeated the words: Rattle
his bones over the stones; he's only a
. pauper whom nobody owns On car
pet a few yards from the royal presence
: stood a sad faced clown who was pois-
ing himself on horizontal bar.
. ''Your majesty" said Mournful Mer-
, ton. the sour-faced acrobat. before yo'
. let this tailor entertain you 1 wish tc
! have you see my most side-spIittlnt
! feat"
L Whereupon Mournful Merton looked a
the holding which ran along the friez'
= OF the chilly room and slowly BALANCED
:. himself.
J "Out upon you," cried the King, in 4
rage. How dare you make so pitiful I
spectacle To the gibbet with you! NO
Wait, You may as we'll have com
panion This tailor shall go with yo'
| unless he makes you grin from chin q
ear"
u am fond of sorrow more than life,
e / repIied the Mournful Merton, and
] do not feel at all cut up over To
/ prospect of going to the headsman'
j. block. II ever / had cause 20 weep
a have it now"
!. Merton buried his face in his trem
- bling hands and great salt tears welle'
4 between his fingers and fell upon HI
o black raiment.
MuchBlash waved the new shear
l. about his head and smiled.
b Woe" he said, lis not my specially