AN UNINVITED &UEST.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1031, 9 April 1884, Page 6

AN UNINVITED &UEST.

James 1., one day when hunting, rode on'before his dogs and huntsmen to seek for luncheon. ,He rode up to the hotel at* Maidenhead,-, quite rarenous. He rolled himself off bis horse 'and shouted for the landlord. 'Beef and ale — a pasty — anything! "The landlord, careless of stray guests, shrugged his shoulders. There was nothing ready but one coast, and the worshipful tricar of Bray and his curate ware already busy at that. Perhaps they might, as a favour, allow j him to join them. King James caught' at the offer, strode upstairs; knocked , at the door and asked permission. The vicar churjisfcly scowled' up from his full and imoking platter. The curate, jovial and, hearty, begged James to be seated. ;The king sat down' and plied a good knife and fork. He tossed -off r his ale ; and told racy stories ; he made both his reluctant and his willing host roar with laughter. At last there came the inauvais quart d'heure of Enbelais— rTbe bill arrived. The curate paid down his money with careless frankness ; the vicar paid his bill gloomily ; but the luckless guest could not pay at all. Eh, mon, he'd left his purse' behind him in his other, breeks T The.vicar saw.,no joke in this, matter, and flatly refused to pay for the suspicious stranger. The happy and guileless curate' expressed his pleasure in being able' to make some return for ttie amusement he had received, and paid the stranger's share. Then the three men w'^nt out on to the balcony. A Jiuntsman came riding up, and seeing the. king, .leaped off his horse and one kneein the street. ;The sullen vicar threw himself at* the feet of James, and implored! of giveneaa I to wKich^King James replied, " I shall dot turn you but of your living — von abalirremam Vicar of Bray ; but I shall make, my good friend the curate a canop of Windsor, whence he will be able to look down both upon you and your vicarage."