Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-25

Copyright by James Elverson.)
% N the kingdom OF Gnoware it was
k3l once the law that whoever did noS
k@&4 understand his own business snouiu
B9pI be put to death: oo
SssysJ In the kingdom of Gnoware,
therefore, every one learned ms
business thoroughly. The plumbers never
had to come to repair the water pipes; for,
they did, they would be put to death 1or ho'
having made them stronger in the hrst place
The carpenter always finished his Work on
the day he had promised to do SO, and the
LAWYERS never gave bad advice.
There were no horses in Gnoware. Many
of the Gnowareans had never even hearo Oh
such an animal, and few had seen one
The king, indeed, had state coach, which
was drawn by oxen; but most people prefer
red their own legs to this mode Of locomotlon.
Messages were carried about the country
bv swift runners. The king had ten SPECIAL
messengers, who were known as the swlftes.
in the country. They were an odd-looklng
set Of fellows, for they all had very long legs,
and they all had a habit OF heePing bat tbne bne
could get more air into their lungs.
OF course this gave them all very stupid
appearance and made them speak lndlstlnctly,
as you will see if you try to talk without CLOS
One morning King Nilkin was sitting in MS
dressing room, having a new pair OF slippers
tried on. Every one in Gnoware wore slip,
pers instead of shoes. These were tight, and
the king frowned, but whether with pam pao OF
perplexity we cannot say, for ne was consioer-
ing an important question.
Tbe fact was his Majesty had made up his
mind to marry, and had fixed bus choice upon
the beautiful Princess Ypsi OF the neigh6or!ng
kingdom of Knoland. He was considering
now the choice of a messenger to bear his
PROPOSAL to her, and he frowned again.
"Do they pinch, your Majesty" inquired
the valet. 49,, =,
And he kicked his slipper at the offender,
which was his way of showing his displeasure.
The valet had to pick it up.
Then the king turned to one Of his runners,
who stood behind his chair
"Go find Eric the Foolhardy and bid him
"Yes, your 'Ajesty," said the runner; and
was gone in an instant. :.
He did not return for half an hour, and
when Eric had received the kings message,
he had said. carelessly: 'I'll come presently"
and the runner had not dared to carry such
an answer to the king.
Eric was the only man in the country who
was not afraid of the king and every one
expected he would ''come to grief some day
through his recklessness. This, and the fact
that he had actually. Travelled into foreign
countries Ito be sure, he had returned alivel
had gained him his title of 'eThe Foolhardy"
from his countrymen, who were timid, stay
at-home set.
n'S @Eric1 Spi1 said the king, 'Tm going to send
"Well I'd Just as lief CO." said Eric.
"Just as lief go?'. growled the king. at
doesn't matter whether you'd just as lief 60
or not. OF course you'll go if / send YOU
It's the business of king to make his sub
jects obey him. Don't you interrupt me
again"
wouldn't pick it up, SO the valet had to.
The next day Eric set out for Knoland
with train of attendants carrying costly and
beautiful presents for the princess The RESI-
Of the party were very gloomy at the prospect
of visiting a foreign country, and doubted 4
they'd ever see their homes again.
But Eric was in high spirits, and walker
paily along swinging the extra pair of slipper,
With which each Of the company were pro
vided in case his should wear out on the iour
ney, and composing sonnet to recite to tn,
princess. :, =,
evening of the second day before they arrived
within sight of the principal city of Knoland
All were struck with admiration, for it wa.
much finer than anything in Gnoware, anC
the Gnowareans entered the city with opeI
mouths.