Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-05-26
FROM CLODHOPPER:
TO KING
A Story Of Feudal Times
By F. A. mitchell


During feudal times there was on
the continent of Europe a kingdom
called Apulia, which had for SO many
years been at war with its neighboI
kingdoms that 1t was not possible for
its soverelgns to intermarry with
theirs. The consequence was that,
since the Apullan kings were permit
ted by law to marry only those of roy
al blood, they intermarried among their
own relatives.
There came a time when the royal
blood had well nigh run out, and when
King Caspar H., who had only one
child, daughter, to succeed him and
looked about for husband for her,
he found not one man among his nu-
merous relatives who was fitted for
the position Of the royal consort. He
at once ordered the heralds to ex-
anime the royal family records with
view to hunting up some man of re-
mote relationship who would serve the
purpose.
The heralds went to tower where
the records Of the early Apullan kings
were kept and searched back to q
time when the kingdom was Roman
province. 70 their surprise they found
that youth was living whose ancestor
was a former king Of Apulia. This
king had been supplanted by his
younger brother, the progenitor Of
King Caspar. The searchers immedi-
ately made known to the king that
they had found the true heir to the
throne, Caspar himself being a usurper.
His majesty warned them under pen
atty OF losing their heads to keep the
secret and at once ordered his cham
berlain to make inquiries az to the man
whose royal pedigree had been I'M
earthed.
He was named Rudolf Kantzler, the
latter being the family name OF the
dynasty in possession OF the Apullan
throne. But the family names of kings
are not In common use, and the young
man did not know that he had the
same name as his sovereign. Indeed,
he did not even know that he was q
relative of the king, much less that he
was the legitimate sovereign.
Rudolf was raiser OF cabbages
and other vegetables for the market.
He was q worthy youth, but without
education. Ills age was eighteen, and
he had been brought up clodhopper.
Nevertheless the king resolved to mar
ny him to the princess.
h. DTln
teen years old. When informed by her
father of the situation she was very
docile, and the king had great hopes
Of having no difficulty 80 far as she
was concerned In arranging the mar
riage. He told her that he would bring
Rudolf to the palace as page. 80
that he might acquire at least We
neering of refinement, but that he must
know nothing Of the honor intended
for him
The princess listened to all that was
said to her without saying a word In
reply. She was altogether too young |
to consider the necessities Of the case,
and her mind was occupied In wonder
ing what her future husband was like.
She was aware that there Is great |
difference between prince and clod- |
hopper, and n shade OF anxiety crossed |
her young face. But that was all the |
expression OF dissatisfaction that es-
capped her and was not noticed by her |
father
One day when Rudolf was working |
among his cabbages--he worked the |
farm for his mother-a messenger
wearing the royal livery rode up TO
him and told him that he had been ap- |
pointed page at the palace. Rudolf,
lenned on his hoe and for
time seemed to have lost speech; then,
turning again to his work, he
said:
mo; ] will not go to the palace to be
1 page. My place Is here with my
mother"
Such response had neither been an
icipated nor provided for, 80 the mes
,enger returned and reported 1t.
xenia was with her father at the time,
ind when he ordered the messenger to
command Rudolfs presence at the
palace she asked permission to go
'long that she might see her future
II occurred to the king that
N the present case persuasion would
% better than force and the face Of
lis daughter might furnish the persua-
ion, 80 he consented.
When Xenia was driven TO the farm
rudolf was standing at the gate.
Ienia leaned out OF the coach window
md asked II he was Rudolf. When
Ie said yes she was greatly pleased.
10 bore In face and figure evidence OF
lis royal descent and, though he was
ressed In countryman's apparel, ap-
cared 10 be a manly fellow, with a
denotIng nobility Of char.
cter
II have come from the king" said
lenla. II am the crown princess.
7ish you to be a page in my suit You
y0n't refuse me, will your
The boy, more wonder stricken than
efore, stood for a few moments
peechless; then he said.
"If I go 70 the palace who will at
end to my mothers cabbages2 They
I'LL not thrive. and she will be with
ut support"
An attendant whispered something
J the princess ear, and she said TO
he boy, Your mother will receive a
ension from my father, the king, that
Ill enable her 10 live like a lady"
MONEY TO LEND.