The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-14

Madam, we have good authority, that little child shall lead them-may this little one and my grey hairs excuse such an informal introduction? l am Dr, Curry"
 And this Is mamma explained Boysie.
 Mrs. Mamma kindly amplifed this rath- CT meager statement and moved the pa- pers to make room for Dr. Curry. Se- lecting one sheet she hurriedly compared the large woodcut with the striking face before her. Yes, every clear cut feature, the stiff grey hair the close cropped beard, the name-all tallied so this was the Dr. Curry. 'I have just been read Ing that President Roosevelt has ap- pointed you to represent the United States when the young King of Spain comes of age next May" said Mrs. Mamma after she had made sure.
 ''Yes," answered Dr. Curry, T suppose he thought it appropriate as I was pres ent when the young king was born-actu- ally present, madam. "Oh, didn know-I thought you were a doctor of di- vinity, not medicine" stammered Mrs Mamma.
 You are right, but Spain, with several other European monarchies, adheres to the ancient and barbarous custom of having a representative of every nation present at such atime and in this case 1t was deemed especially necessary as a posthumous child was expected upon whose sex would depend it's ability to ascend the Spanish throne
 Then Dr. Curry gave Boysie many en- tertaining views of the pleasures and restrictions of royal boyhood. As United States minister to Madrid during Cleve- lands first administration, Dr. Curry had been intensely interested in the pale, frail baby king and the queen regent, ..rtO cfn nerIa handed hattie against the corruption and immortality of the Span ish court was inspiring to witness.
 Mrs Mamma bided her time and when the stream of court "reminiscences ran low, she unearthed another spring of recollection.
 "Dr Curry, do you remember Miss - who afterward married Major -? She is my mother"
 And my grandmother kindly ex- plained Boysie.
 "Remember her? I love her and well I may" added Dr. Curry after congratu- latng Mrs. Mamma on her choice or parents Miss NJ had always been admired as a belle and coquette, but her fearless assistance of the soldiers dur ing the war had enshrined her in many a brave heart in new light. had been invalided home toward the end of the war and after recuperating in Ial1dQeBa, WaOe my way lo oeiiHd' NhSA . the naval foundry of the C. S. A. was situated. When the battle of Selma was fought of course took my place with the boys who helped General Forests hand ful of men defend the place. But when we were defeated I was extremely anx- ious to escape as my rank of major in the Confederate army made me liable to capture and imprisonment So after dark I walked to your mothers planta- ton home and she gave me provisions to last during the three days I hid In Beech Creek swamp"
 'Yes. she has often told me that she little thought as she watched you tramp away with that meal sack of food on your shoulder, that you were in path that would eventually lead you to a kings palace"
 "Yes. but my path never led me be- yond the remembrance of her assistance and sympathy Tell her royal food never tasted half so good as that ham and llghtbread But the best thing she gave me at parting-well, it seemed all right in those troublous times when I was go- ing forth to possible capture or death; even my wife refused to be leased by it later; but 1t will hardly bear telling in these prosaic times with her grandson g wondering eyes upon me" and the griz- zled doctor fairly blushed under Boysie' s mystified gaze.
 But Dr. Curry's destination unceremo- niously cut short all adieu, past or pres ent, and soon Boysie was waving a long farewell to the grizzled man in whirling snowstorm. t54