as obliged to leave the service, and was granted a pension by the
emperor.

"With this pension he supported our family; but a few months ago he
died, and we are left very poor indeed."

"Poor child!" said the gentleman. "Is your mother living?"

"Yes, sir, she is; and I have two brothers who are at home with her now.
She has been unable to leave her bed for weeks, and one of us must watch
beside her, while the others go out to beg."

Saying this, the poor boy tried very hard to keep back the great tears,
but they would come in spite of all he could do to stop them.

"Well, well, my boy," said the gentleman, "do not feel so unhappy; I
will see what can be done to help you. Is there a physician to be found
near you?"

"There are two, sir, only a little way from where we live."

"That is well. Now you go at once and have one of them visit your
mother. Here is money, not only for the physician, but for other things
to feed you and make you comfortable."

"O sir," said the boy, as he looked upon the gentleman in amazement,
"how can I thank you enough? This money will save my mother's life, and
keep my brothers from want."

"Never mind, my child; go and get the physician."

The boy obeyed, and the good emperor having learned the situation of the
house where the boy's mother lived, bent his steps in that direction,
and soon arrived there.

The room in which he found the poor woman gave evidence of great misery.

She was lying on a low bedstead, and though still young, her face was
pale and thin from sickness and want. Very little furniture of any kind
was to be seen, for the mother had disposed of nearly all she possessed
to obtain bread for her children.

When the emperor entered the room, the widow and her children looked at
him in astonishment. They did not know he was their emperor.

"I am a physician, madam," said he, bowing respectfully; "your neighbors
have informed me of your illness, and I am come to offer what service
may be in my power."

"Alas! sir," she answered with some hesitation, "I have no means of
paying you for your attention."

"Do not distress yourself on that account; I shall be fully repaid if I
have the happiness of restoring you to health."

With these words, the emperor approached the bed and inquired all about
her illness, after which he wrote a few lines and placed them on the
chimney-piece.

"I will leave you this prescription, madam; and on my next visit, I hope
to find you