The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-05-27
/ AN ANTIQUE.
! ANARCHIST STORY.

beloved of his subjects. His reign
was mild; his taxes were light; his re-
quirements for military duty were the |
minimum. Indeed, but one subject oc-
cupied his thoughts-how to render his
people happy. 4
But there are always malcontents,
and dissatisfaction without grounds In
wolves other follies. We. q perfectly
free people today, have our anarchists,
who think that by killing ruler they
will benefit their cause. So 1t was. In
this kingdom. There were people who
wished to see the king out Of their
way. why they desired this no ONE
not even themselyes-knew. The kings
son would inherit the throne. and the
people were unanimous in their inten-
ton that he should inherit It Nor
was It expected that the son would
make a better king than the father
There were three malcontents IN the
kingdom. who in their folly resolved
that 1t would be a good thing to get
rid of their king. One was baker,
another butcher and the third con-
fectioner. They banded themselves to-
gether under an agreement. Each in
turn would send the king dish that
be had himself prepared and into
which he had put poison. The baker
was to try his hand first. and If he
failed the butcher would try, then the
confectioner. So the baker prepared
fine large fruit cake and Disgusting
himself took 1t to the palace with
placard on it that read:
To the king. from one of his loving sub
jects.
The king was. Of course. suspicious
of gift for whom no one was respon-
sible and directed the head cook to put
it away where no one might be injured
by 1t. A few weeks later he received
In the same fashion boar's head
cooked with garlic and aromatic spices.
The king now. became interested and
ordered bis head police officer to inpes-
tigate the matter.
Now. the head police officer knew
that If any harm came to the king
from this cause he would lose his head.
In other words. he had an incentive
that police officers of the present day
who are much engaged In politics are
a stranger to. 1t was not long before
he had got on the track of the baker.
the butcher and the confectioner and
reported their scheme.
The king was not only wise and
patient man. but exceedingly crafty.
He waited till the confectioner had
sent in a beautiful replica of the pal
ace. all In candy. with sweetmeat
under the roof which was easily re-
moved and card on which was writ
ten, ITO be eaten Immediately Or it
will lose all its flavor"
Then the king sent his chamberlain
to the three conspirators with an invi-
tation to come to the palace. When
they were there he said to them:
81 have been much moved by your
kindness. but you must remember that
king cannot accept favors from his
people. 1t rather becomes royalty to
bestow presents. This dish. which
must be eaten at once or lose its fla
vor." turning to, the confectioner. 81 re-
nounce in your favor Enjoy 1t. and
will give you one Of my palaces in
which to dwell so long as you live"
The confectioner. white and trem-
bling. ate the confection. The king
watched him while he did so and saw
him fall dead. Then he turned to the
butcher.
"As becomes my kingly dignity" he
said. 81 must return this gift to you
also. Eat your ill and be assured that
for the rest of your life you will be
supported by tax levied on the men,
bers of your craft, this In recognition
OF your loyalty to your sovereign"
The butcher knew that he was going
to his death, but there was no use In
making resistance. so he ate of the
boar's head and soon fell dead. Then
the king turned to the baker.
This cake" he said. has tempted
me ever since received 1t at your
hands. 1t is evidently full OF succulent
foods. including fruits and spices. I
would fam have eaten it. but have al
ways made II rule that my subjects
shall have the best in my kingdom.
Eat the product of your skill. and In
token of the loyal spirit that prompted
you to send 1t to me make you grand
high baker to the court, with thou
sand gold pieces for every day of your
life hereafter"
"Your most gracious majesty" said
the baker. '.your royal kindness over
whelms me. wish that you may live
as long to pay me the gold pieces as !
live to receive them.s
You have a ready wit" said the
king. Il marvel that one who can
speak SO well should have had the folly
to wish to take the life OF a ruler who
has studied no problem except how to
make bis people nanny l would nor