The Pretended Miracle.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 302, 26 September 1888, Page 3

The Pretended Miracle.

In t one of the private visits which the -great Frederick was wont to pay his soldiers, he met a jolly fellow, who had that evening deserted the service of Mars for that of Bacchus. The monarch, entering into discourse with him, asked him, * How he was able, out of his email stipend, to make so large an offering to the god of wine ;' and added, ' 1 assure you, comrade, my pay is the same as yours ; yet I cannot afford it ; pray tell me how you can do this.' c Give me your hand, my lad ; you seem an honest fellow, and 1 11 tell you the secret. To-day I have been drinking with an old acquaintance ; it is very hard if one can't take a drop now and then with a friend ; and on these occasions a day's pay is but a scanty allowance ; I was obliged to make use of the old expedient.' ' What is that ?' said the king. ' Why, to pledge those of my accoutre ments which I could best spare for a short time ; a little frugality will' bring all right again, and then they may be redeemed. This morning I started with the blade of my sword ; as we shall not have a fieldday for some time I shall not have any use for it.' Frederick thanked him for his information, and then wished him a good-night. The next day the troops received an unexpected summons into the field The king passed along the line, and recognising his new friend, ordered him and the immediate man behind him from the ranks ; they were both commanded to strip. 'Now,' said the king to his new companion, 'draw your sword, and strike off that traitor's head,' pointing to the other. ' For Heaven's sake, my liege, pardon me ; this man has been my comrade for more than fifteen years, and should this cruel office be laid on me, I should never know a moment's peace after.' The king was deaf. ' Since, then, sire, nothing I ean 'say can move you, I pray that God may be moved to work a miracle in my favour, and turn this into a wooden sword.' He uttered this with a seeming fervour, and feigned the greatest astonishment whom he found it had happened as he wished. The king, knowing the artifice, dould not but admire the fellow's ingenuity, and not only pardoned, but rewarded him.

The children in the next room were very noisy, and mamma told four-year-old Bessie, sitting- beside her, to shut the door. Bessie closed it, but the noise was still painfully audible. ' Mamma,' she said, looking; up with a countenance indicative of a bright idea, 'marnrqa, I think I'd bottar lock it. '