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HARPER & BROTHERS,
Franklin Square, N. Y.
[A PERSONATION: WHO AM I?]
BY E. M.
The first thirty years of my life I lived at ease as a liegeman at a foreign court, where I was treated with favor, and not made to feel my dependence. My own country, of which I was the lawful ruler, suffered from internal wars, and finally my patriotism was aroused by the judicial murder of one of my countrymen, who, fighting not for the hope of the crown, but to free the country from its oppressors, was taken prisoner, and barbarously executed. His unselfish life and death opened my eyes to my cowardice, and incited me to make an effort to regain my freedom, and, with a few whom I thought my friends, I concerted a plan to escape. This plan was betrayed by one of my associates, and being hot-blooded, when I met him by appointment to consult, though it was in a church, I taxed him with his treachery, and our quarrel growing violent, swords were drawn, and I killed him at the foot of the altar. I instantly fled, assumed the title of King, called on my faithful subjects to aid me, and, assisted by my three brothers, soon organized a small army. The force sent against me by the usurper of my crown was so much larger and better disciplined than mine that in the first battle I was defeated, my army scattered, and I fled, with my brothers and a few friends, to the hills for shelter. Being too many to remain together, we separated. I escaped pursuit, but my three dear brothers were captured, and soon after hung, and I was excommunicated by the Pope on account of the murder committed in the church. A few friends joined me in my hiding-place, and whenever we were able we sallied forth, attacking, and often defeating, small bodies of our enemies, and then fleeing to the friendly hills. Little by little my forces increased, and finally my successes became so constant that the usurper himself left his country at the head of a large army, determined to crush me. Fortunately for me, he was taken sick, and died ere he could cross the borders of my kingdom, but charged his son not to bury his bones until he had borne them in triumph through my dominions. This son, unlike his war-like father, preferred a luxurious court life, and for three years I was left unmolested, so that I succeeded in establishing my claim over all the country, and was publicly proclaimed King. This last act aroused my enemy from his apathy, and he sent a force against me; but domestic troubles compelled the army to return home, and the disagreements between the King and his subjects lasted long enough to enable me to recover my lost possessions, until at last only one fortress remained to be reconquered. The governor of this asked for a truce, promising if he were not relieved by the King before the feast of St. John, he would deliver up the castle. He sent word to his royal master, who started as soon as he could raise an army, and the night before the feast (June 24) saw us both encamped in the neighborhood of the fortress. The battle next day resulted in my favor, though the odds were greatly against us, and it has been celebrated in both song and story. I captured so many noble prisoners that I was enabled to exchange them for my wife and relations, who had been held as captives for eight years. I was now able to take the offensive, drive my enemies out of my kingdom, and compel a truce for thirteen years. I was beloved by my people, and so dear is my memory still to them that in 1872, more than five hundred years after my death, a statue was erected to me in the famous castle I conquered on the eve of St. John.
Boy. "Say, Mister, will you hold my Kite while I go up and tie on another piece of tail?"