The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1908-04-09
How a Hen
Saved a King
I.l-l.lllIFl
By Fred. Myron Colby.


There Is nothing more romantic in
history than the startling experiences
that have occurred in the lives Of
few royal peFsonages in some stages
of their career. The early adventures
of GustaYus Vasa of Sweden, and Of
Robert Bruce of Scotland, before they
succeeded in winning their crowns, the
wanderings, and narrow escapes Of
Charles the Second after the battle of
Worcester. and the Vicissitudes Of the
Young Pretender after the battle OF
Culloden, all appeal strongly to the i'm
aginations of young people and are
more or less familiar ~
This is the story Of another prince
not SO well known, but whose career is
fully as interesting as that of Charles
Edwards; in fact, Prince Bertarid of
Pavia passed through more thrilling
experiences, escaped greater dangers
and was quite providentially preserv-
ed as any Of your favorite heroes in
the story books. The account as given
to us seems to rest on authentic sources
and is naively related by one of the
most pious of the old writer's.
Pavia was the capital of the old
kingdom Of the Lombards which oc-
cupied all Of Northern Italy in the
early part OF the middle ages It was
at that time a large. walled-in city
full of fine buildings one Of the finest
of which the the royal palace of the
Lombard kings where Bertafid was
born. He was the Oldest son Of King
Aribert, and when his father died he
became the eighth king OF the Lom-
bards.
His younger brother Godebert want
ed part Of the kingdom and raised a
rebellion against him. Bertarid appeal
ed for help TO his great feudatory.
Grimoald, Duke Of Beneyentum and
Godebert was forced to leave the king
dom. Grimoald was a very ambitious
man, and when he saw how easily the
younger prince was got rid of he plan
ned to dispose OF the older brother
and take the kingdom himself He
succeeded in getting the kingdom, but
Prince Bertarld escaped through the
wit OF a faithful attendant,
Duke Grimoald's plan was to seize
the prince one night when there had
beon a great banquet at the royal pal
ace in celebration Of the victory and
his soldiers had their orders to seize
him as soon as he was sound asleep.
But one Of his servants. stable boy
named Onuff, had seen enough to
make him suspicious for his masters
safety Bertarid was aroused by his
warning:
"Oh, my master, hasten and escape.
for your enemies seek your life"
Bertarid was thunderstruck and did |
not know what to do. but the hostler's
quick wit devised scheme that prom
sed him safety If they could carry it
INTO effect. He and Onuff changed 1
,lothes; throwing aside The klngly de-
7ices. and leading him with a mattress.
he hedclothes and bearskin the SER
amt drove his royal master in this rid
culous way out Of the palace TN they
cached the city gate Here the guards
angling az the sight inquired what 1t
neanti onuff was ready with an an
wer;
"Ah, sirs, this ragged rascal had pre-.
jared my bed IN the chamber Of that
oul drnnkard Bertarid, who Is snoring
here up stairs, drowned ia his wine
viii no longer stay with that mad
nan To my home; to my homel" Ana
living a fresh blow to the prince. they
9th we're allowed 10 leave the citv
But II Bertand was out OF Pawn he
fas not out Of Lombardy. Grimoald
con learned Of the trick that had been
layed upon his guards. and knowing
hat his usurped crown would not be
aie o moment with the righlful mon
fch al large. De used every means 10
''ercepl the Fugitive. The account Of