KING RASTUS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 249, 21 October 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

KING RASTUS.

King Eastus was eight years old, and j very, very bored. He had lessons every* morning for three hours from the finest . tutors of the land and every afternoon j he played with all the newest toys of the land, which the manufacturers had respectfully sent with their compliments to his Majesty. Tho most skilled cooks in the realm made meringues and raspberry tarts and brandy snaps for his Highness, and the most renowned confectioners made the most delicious bulls' eyes and marzipan rolls. Everywhere King Eastus went he was accompanied by Maximillian, the Chancellor, and Maximillian's one object in life was- to anticipate the lightest wish of his monarch. If his Eoyal Highness expressed a wiah to play at soldiers, Maximillian summoned the

Horse Guards, and they performed in the palace yard their most complicated manoeuvres, while Eastus sat in the Eoyal box, which was festooned with yards and yards of red velvet, and looked on. No animals were allowed in the Royal presence, lest by their barkings and miaowings and ncighings, tlicv should disturb his Majesty. If any of the boys and girls in the street callcd out greetings to the King, Maximillian hurried Rastus away, and sent two henchmen to tell the children to "move along there." Yes, Rastus was very, very bored, and one day as he scrambled wearily on to his high throne, he mentioned the fact to Maximillian. The distracted Chancellor, whose only desire it was to save his Majesty from disagreeable feelings, hurried off to command the local stationmaster to prepare tho Royal coach, so that the King could play at trains. While he was gone to give the order, Maximillian bade Rastus amuse himself with a rery finely illustrated Zoo book, come hot from the printers that morning. Rastus languidly turned over the pages. "It's all very well, he said, "to look at pictures, but I've never seen a real bear or even touched a real, dog." ' Just then he heard footsteps coming alon" the - corridor, and because he was not feeling at all like king that day, he slipped off his throne and hid behind tho arras. Gradually the door opened and quick whispers came. A little gu'l darted eagerly into the room, followed by an elderly woman looking, very flustered. "I'll never be forgiven if we're found," thp woman was muttering. "I'll lose my office of parlourmaid for letting you have a peep at this room. Just two seconds I give you." And she hurried anxiously away. But Rosaline, for such was the girl's name, was too excited to heed her. She was dancing round the room, crying, "And is this really where the King site. Look, Sambo," and she revealed the head of a fox terrier which had been hidden under her cloak. Sambo was evidently so struck with the splendour that lie trave a bark of delight. And at that moment Rastus stepped from behind the arras.

Now Rosaline, who lived in the country had never seen the King, so when she'saw Rastus she called out: "Oh, you did make me jump. Whoever arc you, and has your aunt brought you to r>ee the throne room?" From force of habit Rastus was just about to behave like • kin", when Rosaline went on, Do let* play at kings. Wouldn't it be marvelfouT to be a king? Do you know that he has everything lie wants, every thin" 9 " And while she-was talking she SSVhing Rastus on t. th.JkroMi and making Sambo sit up to look like Maximillian, and soon they weie ?n gaged in the most glouous game, Kastus laughing until the tears a down his cheeks. Just a 6 Sainb a l Rastus were rolling on -the/ooi to t'other in came Maximillian Youi Majesty," he gasped in-horrified tones. But Kastus, looking extremely bevelled for a monarch,- rushed up to the Chancellor and put a hand oh;, mouth. However, Rosaline had heaid the words, and was gazing astonished at

Rastus. "You're not really the King? she whispered, and when Rastus nodded dismally, she gathered up Sambo in Jk. arms and milled from the room. With that Rastus completely forgot his kingly dignity and burst into sobs declaring that the only thing m tu ! world he wanted was to play " ltu Rosaline and Sambo. Maximillijiii, overcome with anxiety, called a meeting of Parliament, and, after hours ot deliberation, a wise old counsellor declaied that if Rosaline and Sambo were peeis of the land, they could play with hi» Highness. So. amid much pomp- and ceremony, Rosaline was made a Ditches;-, and Sambo declared First Lord of Ancient Order of Dogges. They joyfully took up residence in the palace, where Rosaline .has almost everything _ she wants, and Sambo is fed 011 the finest hand-picked bones. And what games j there are, to be sure. Rastus lias ior- | gotten what it is like to be bored.