LOST—THE KING'S CROWN

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22201, 18 September 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

LOST—THE KING'S CROWN

The king had lust his crown. Oh, no, nut liis bo-t rruv.n. Hu really wouldn't have minded if he had lost that one. It was so heavy, and hurt his head so. Hut now his second be. t ernv. n, the one he Wore at meals, and when reading the newspaper; the crown with (lit; nicely padded place to cover his bald spot, that oh-so-coinfortable old crown had just simply disappeared, and on his birthday, too. No wonder the king was annoyed. ‘'Arabella,” he shouted in a voice that made the little prince shake with fright. “Arabella.” us Ids wife came hurrying into the room, "By all the powers of Plum-pudding Land. who can have; stolen my crown?” The queen started! then sighed with relief its she saw the best crown reposing on the sideboard where the king had placed it when it became too heavy for his brow. “Look behind you, dear,” she murmured. The king looked, and his face grew purple with rage. "Trust a woman to make a muddle of things,” he snapped. "That's my best crown, as anyone with half an eye in his head can see. Now, where is my second-best crown?”

Tho poor queen's eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Your second-best one,” she screamed, “why, 1 sold it to Mimpos the tinker, yesterday." “Sold it,” .shrieked the king, '‘SOLD it! You- words failed him, “Never mind,” soothed the queen. “We’ll get it again, it’s just a matter of finding Mimpos.” “Yes,” shouted the king, “and if my crown is not found by sunset, I’ll eat my hat, the new one with the velvet ribbon.” The decree went forth, and all the court lords and ladies hunted high and low, but Mimpos was not to be found. Tho king began to grow worried, for he really didn't relish eating his hat, especially as he had swallowed the last of his digestion pills that morning. He redoubled his efforts, and offered a large reward to the person, lord, or scullery maid who was the means of finding the lost Mimpos. Everyone hunted high and low, but all in vain; Mimpos could not be found. Alice, the little kitchen maid, was very anxious to help, so when she

had washed the dishes, and swept the iloor. she donned her little bonnet and ran across the Melds to Mother Wimple's cottage, and there she poured out the story of the king's lost crown. Now Mother Wimple was a very wise old woman, almc-st as wise as your own mother. So when she had wiped her spectacles and perched them on her high, humpy

old nose, she was able to gaze into her magic crystal, and straightway see where old Mimpos had pitched his camp. "There, away beyond the enchanted wood." she croaked, "there lies the camp of Mimpos. You must go alone, for my bones are old and I am too weary to walk. Here is a magic charm, the only charm which will buy the crown, but you must be verv careful, lest the old tinker should steal it by stealth. Now go. my child, and heed well all I have told you." Little Alice took her leave and hastened down the path 1o the enchanted wood. The wind moaned

in the tree-tops, and the little rabbits and mice scuttled aside as she ran, but Alice paid no attention to them. Filmy trails of mist crossed her path, and a mysterious hand beckoned, but Alice ran on. At last, there in the distance gleamed the light from the linker's camp fire. Alice entered the clearing and timidly approached the tinker. "Good sir,” she began, “show me your wares. I hear you have much to sell.” Old Mimpos produced his wares, trinkets, and baubles which every tinker carries in his slock, but little Alice was not satisfied. “They are but cheap trinkets,” she said. "Show me more.” So Mimpos produced finer goods, silks, satins, and rich gold cloth. Then at last Alice glimpsed the lost crown in a corner of the caravan. “I want that,” she said, pointing to the crown. “ft's not for sale,” snapped Mimpos. "Ah, but I have the means to pay.” said Alice, and she produced the charm. The tinker’s eyes gleamed. “Give it to me,” he cried. “Only in exchange for the crown,” retorted Alice. “Then let mo hold it,” he pleaded craftily. But Alice was firm. “It is only for sale in exchange for the crown.” "Oh, all right,” grunted the tinker, I never really wanted the old crown. Here, catch ..” The exchange was made. Alice darted away, for the sun was almost, set, and oven now the king might be preparing to eat his hat. She ran on and on. The enchanted wood held no terrors for her now. She must, must get there in time

to save the king from such a dis«, grace. Just as the last rays of the sun touched the tower, Alice stumbled up the palace steps, and toll breathless at the king’s feet. “Sire.” she panted. “YouP| crown.” Overjoyed. the king) raised her up. “I am saved,” hei declared. “You shall be promoted] to chief Lady-in-Waiting, and the hand of my son is yours. Now,”’ he continued, placing the recovered! crown on his head, “let us all cele-i brate.” King, queen, prince, ladies, and] servants all joined in the merry-4 making, but the two happiest people of all were the king andi little Alice. —’MATE PEGASUS, Opawa*

TOMMY'S MISTAKE

Teacher: When did William th#i Conqueror come to England? Tommy: I don’t know. Teacher: But doesn’t it say im your book, “William the 1066?’’ Tommy; Yes, but I thought that was his telephone number. —KATHLEEN RICH, Tormora*