The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-01-15

princes 4SnOulQ Dc clgAteSA. But, when
that time came, behold the same kind
Of mark appeared on every one Of
the i've younT mem
The dead kings brother pretended
to be very angry at what he called
the trickery Of the magician. He
stormed and ragged, and sent messen-
gers everywhere, demanding that the
trickster should appear and settle the
matter. But he took great care that
the magician should be where he could
not answer the messages. Then he
made proclamation that, since the true
heir could not be known, he himself
would reign as king until she magic
ian should be found and the puzzle ex-
planned
The five princes were justly indig-
nant; but what could they do? They
did not know which should rightly be
king, and there could not.be five kings.
They discussed the matter for three
days and three nights, but came to no
decision. At last, the slowest and
gentlest of the princes spoke.
1T seems to me that there is but
one thing to do" said he I'VE must
prove by our actions who is the real
princeJ The real kings son should
be the most kingly"
The rest turned upon him in scorn
You may be sure that you are not
the real prince" they said.
The slowest prince sighed. He was
used to their ridicule, but it always
hurt.
II suppose not" he said, gently
still. you may count me out. But
one Of us five is the king, and 1t is
only right that he should have the
throne. We must make some plan to
give it to him. Let us leave it to the
people of the kingdom, and give them
year to decide which is the most
kingly."
! They grumbled and Knocked, but, af-
ter all, they did as he said; they were
quite apt to do this. He was always
the butt of the five, for he was, as he
said, the slowest Of them in every way,
and never asserted his right as the
others did; but he thought everything
overt carefully, and decided what was
right to do, and he was as determined
as he was slow Nobody counted him
in the contest to come. He was
thought stupid and awkward, and he
himself Joined in the universal opin-
ion. M.53 rs
1T is of no use for me to try to
prove myself king" he said with a
sigh. Il will put in this year of pro-
baton in studying the things that will
best help me to serve my country in
a subordinate place, for. surely she
needs the service OF all her sons, high
born and low-born, in these troublous
days"
They were, indeed, troublous days.
The dead kings brother, who was re-
gent, and bound to getsglory for him
self, had taken the whole army, and
gone out to invade neighboring king
dom. Strongholds were weakened, the
people were oppressed, and the whole
land was full of fear and misery.
The other four boys did not think
much of this. They set themselves to
winning the hearts Of the people, each
one hoping to be chosen king when
the year was up.
One OF them was known as the hand
soonest prince He had a thousand
suits of clothes made for him, each
more beautiful and costly than the
last, and showed himself daily in pag-
eants and professions. All the people
shouted in reclamation. when he ap-
peared, and many said, Surely he is
SO beautiful, he will be king"
The second prince was known as the
strongest one. He arranged athletic
contests, and astonished every one
with his feats of strength. The third
prince was called the brightest one.
He spent his days in hunting up argu-
ments, and proved by logic to every
one about that he was the kings real
son. The fourth prince was known as
the most charming one, and he went
about from house to house, making
friends with every one, and promising
great gifts and rewards when he
should be king; but the slowest one
did none of these things. He felt, as
the others said, that it was useless for
him to. think Of being king. So he put
his time into study. He studied his
country's history. He studied his
country's laws. And especially he
studied about her defences, the weak
est places and the strongest places,
and the condition of the army, and the
lest plans for its campaigns. He pored
hours over army tactics, and spent
hours more in drilling company OF
home guards who needed a leader,