Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-04-29
oTTUMwA, WAPELLo COUNTY, IOWA
The Little King

yours or that Of some little boy you
know. Anyhow, nobody called him by
it, Lon" since the people OF his king
dom-Nursery Land--had given him
nickname) such as some OF the kings
have in your history bookD KING
Bother" that's what they called him !;
for whenever he was asked to do or
think of anything but play or pleasure
that was what he said.
Naturally his kingdom was not SO
happy and peaceful as it might have
been. and his people would have loved
him more If he had been willing to take
little trouble to please them. But they
tried to make excuses for him, because
he was so young" Certainly 1t was
not ver'- long since he had been called
king Baby"-he was only five.
A few days after the grand celebra-
ton Of that fifth birthday, when the lit
tie king was resting upon his throne
in listless attitude (not having alto
gether got over the effects Of too much
birthday cake), one Of his courtiers ap-
preached him, not in his usual calm
manner, but in hurried and Hurried
one. ~
IF you .please-oh, If you please,
Your Majesty" he gasped, they are
coming-they are coming!"
The little king jumped to the conclus.
ion that court physician (having heard
about the birthday cake) had arrived at
the palace, with an assistant-it always
took two people to give the king pow
der. His voice trembled slightly. as he
said:
who are coming?"
1.-THE enemy-the enemy!" stammer-
ed the courtier. "Or perhaps I should
say enemies They've Joined together.
you see, Your Matesty-the Alphabet
Army, the Figure Force, and goodness
knows what else. in the name Of Les
sons'!" .l 49,.
"Oh. bother!" exclaimed the little
king, intensely relieved to find that 1t
was not the Court Physician with
powder. rs that all? Let them come!-
shan't trouble my head about them!-
Don't worry mel"
But, Your Majesty" pleaded the
courtier, "they arc 80 nearl In a few
days they will land! In all probability
the battle will commence next Monday
morning. (These people, am told.
nearly always commence their battles
on a Monday And. Il Your Majesty
should not be ready
"Oh, botherl" said the little king
again, but angrily this time. you can
do the arranging and the fighting.
can't be bothered. I never have been.
YOU know" he added. yawning and
himself.
Well, the following Monday the bat.
tie commenced. as the courtfer nad
foretold; and tho king, without taking
any active part in it, looked on calmly.
He had to do that, or his people would
have grown really angry with him. Buzz,
as time went on. he became less CAM
His enemies were. undoubtedly con-
quering; and. though he didn't mucn
III IL at
to feel It was not pleasant to be beaten.
At last ono morning at the close OF a
losing battle the king sank down upon
his throne, with q sigh, and for some
minutes appeared to be thinking deep
lv. Then he looked up, and calling
courtier. commanded that wise man
should be brought to him.
The Wise man was old: it was dini-
cuIt to believe he had ever been q lit
tie boy, but he had, and he remembered
it, He looked very kindly down into
the face Of the little king. who had
asked his advice about conquer1ng MS
they could De con-
quered.
yes. Your Majesty he answered.
with a smile, "they can. But fear you
will not be pleased when l tell you
Never mind" said the little king,
eagerly. Tell mol. Then. as q slight
cloud came over his face. Would 1t be
a bother?"
a little just at frst.' replied the Wise
Man, gently. But It would soon eet
easy-You yourself would have TO take
an active part in the battle-not mere
ly look on. Lead your army, that would
give your people courage! Think hard,
fight hard! II you do this, you would
be able to conquer your enemies and
shut them up in your strongest castle
castle Memory" Interrupted the
yes" said tho Wise Man. "ss that
they could never trouble you any
more!"
"That would be splendid" cried the
little king. "F"-stammerinE, ana
turning very red In the face. DO you
know. I think I've been a coward"
II think so, too" agreed the Wise
Man. and the Court trembled at his
daring. But the little king wasn't at all
angry. for his interest was awakened.
Il think it will be fun!" he cried.
tumpine up and prancing about as
though already engaged in a hand-to-
hand combat. Il must have sword"
Certainly" said the Wise Man. smil-
ing again. II know Of an excellent
SWOrQ-SnO ana Will CoAuuSI SSNA
Majesty thither at once, If Your Majes-
ty pleases."
His Majesty did please, and, foreetful
Of kingly dignity walked hand In hand
with the Wise Man to the sword shop.
It was very interesting place, there
were so many swords thereof all
sorts and sizes, each owning different
name, engraved on 1t blade or hilt. The
king lifted one, a. handsome silver
sword, so small and light. easy to lift
and carry, with the words "Try a Lit
tie" (the Wise Man told him the names.
for he had not yet learned to read)
upon it's hilt The little king eyed 1T
lovingly, and said that he thought he
would buy that.
IT should scarcely like to recommend
it, begging Your Majesty's pardon
said the shopkeeper. TITS very pretty to
look at, easy to handle, but it wouldn't
be much use. All, that's better Your
Majesty" as the little king lifted an
other sword, much bigger, with steel
blade, plain hilt, instead Of an engrav-
ed on, with its name in plain instead OF
fancy letters "Try Hard"
ooh. no." began the little king,
I,