The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-28
KING FOR A NIGHT.

In France long ago it was the GUS
tom to celebrate the Feast of the
Epiphany-the arrival of the Three
Kings at the crib at Bethlehem
with all the joyous merry-making
which we associate with the birth.
day of the Christ Child.
One cold evening, before this feast
when the great castles throughout
France were resounding with merri.
ment, little child was making his
way alone towards Paris.
Great flakes of snow were swirled
about by glacial blasts of winds, and
fell upon the dark locks of the little
traveller whose hood had been blown
back of his shoulders. His eyes were
wide with terror for he imagined
what he was and what he expected
to be, silhouettes and shadows of the
trees on each side of the road. The
play of the wind through the creak-
ing branches of the dead trees seem
ed to him like the murmur of mock
ing voices.
Suddenly he heard behind him the
clatter of horses hoofs, the noise of
a laundering wagon, loud voices, and
then, the sharp report of a gun. The
forests of those days were filed with
highwaymen. Filled with terror the
child struck off through the woods,
and ran through the underbrush for
some hours. Trembling, and bleed
ing from the sharp twigs, he found
himself at last before building sur
mounted by a cross; light was pour
ing out of brilliantly stained win
dows. The deep voices of monks
we're chanting, Hail King of the
World" The child tried to open the
door, but he could not; he struck at
it with his little fists but they did
not hear him.
Repeating an act of contrition, for
he felt so frozen with the cold and
so starving with hunger that he did
not believe he could live much long
er, he staggered on. At last sue
cumbing to fatigue, he fell PROSTATE
across doorstep, and he heard, far
away as in a dream, songs and joy
full laughter.
On this night, the count of the
chateau, upon the doorstep of which
the boy fell, had assembled his
far, to celebrate, with more than or
binary pomp, the feast of the Epiph-
any.
The banquet, with it's boar's head,
its small stuffed pigs, its wines and
desserts, was over. Then the master
of ceremonies arose, and bade every
one stand up, to. hear his royal COM
mand. He said:
Lords and LADIES' This feast is to
recall the wise kings who came,
guided by star, from the Orient to
Bethlehem, to adore the Child born
in poverty and to offer him gifts of
gold, incense and myrrh. And SO |
find it just that we should send out
servants to seek for some unhappy
child, whom we will make king to-
night"
Thereupon some servants were
sent from the hall, but scarcely had
they departed, when they returned
bringing with them little child.
"My Lord!" said they, mo need of
going further. On the door step we
found this little child covered with
frost, and almost dead from cold and
hunger"
They led the child to the master OF
ceremonies, who placed upon him a
royal robe of ermine, crowned him
with tiara of jewels, and thrust in
his cold little hands, sceptre OF
ivory.
At first the child seemed to under.
stand nothing. Then as they warmed
him with glass of wine, his senses
returned to him.
With much reverence, the master
of ceremonies approached him and
bowling said:
"Sire, we are your faithful court
iers. This is your court" Then he
kissed the boys hand as he would
have the kings. The boy could be-
lieve neither his eyes nor his ears.
Then with much stimulation of re-
spect, the master asked the boy who
he was and what he expected to be
"My name," answered the child
bravely els Jacque Amyot. l am
nine years old. was born at Melun
of parents so poor that they could
no longer feed me. And so I have
begun to walk to Paris, so that may
study there. My parish priest has
already taught me many things"
Overcome with the courage Of the
lad, and delighted with his straight
forward answer, the master of cere-
monies took his own large velvet
purse and went among the company
saying:
Come, lords and ladies of high
degree, give lavishly to the child who
wishes to educate himself"
A great sum was collected. After
playing a little while with the small,
tired king" they put him in great
four poster bed hung with tapestry.
Clutching his heavy purse he fell fast
asleep. But the next day before dawn
he was up, and out of the great
chateau, and again on his way to
Paris.
Using his money carefully, he edu.
Gated himself; he went to the Col
1oOo re Eroroo ond affnrwordc hn,