ge bed
with clean white curtains in readiness for the king. When every thing
was arranged, with a last proud look at his handsome dwelling, the
magistrate hurried to the front door, waiting anxiously for his
guest. His heart beat high with expectation--his whole being was in
commotion--he was to see a king for the first time, and he asked himself
how this king would look. "How glorious his eyes must be! I think he
must radiate like the sun. It must almost blind the eyes to dwell upon
his splendor."

Lost in these thoughts, he did not observe a cavalcade consisting of
three riders passing through the street. The foremost one was enveloped
in an old faded blue mantle, his large three-cornered hat hung far over
his brow, shading his eyes and his thin, pale countenance. His heavy
army boots were in need both of brushing and mending. His two companions
formed an agreeable contrast to him. They wore the rich, glittering
uniforms of Prussian staff officers. All about them was neat and
elegant, and pleased the magistrate right well. The cavalcade now
stopped at his house, and, to the amazement of the villagers, the two
spruce young officers sprang to the ground--and hastened to assist
the man in the blue mantle to alight from his horse. But he waved them
aside, and springing lightly from the saddle, advanced to the house
door. The magistrate blocked up the way, and looking haughtily at the
stranger, said:

"You undoubtedly belong to the servants of the king, and think,
therefore, to enter my house. But that cannot be. The king alone will
dwell with me. If you are what I suppose you to be, you must go next
door. My neighbor may have quarters for you."

The stranger smiled. Fixing his large, brilliant eyes sternly upon the
magistrate, he caused him to draw back almost in terror, feeling as if
the sun had really blinded him.

"I am not one of the king's servants," said the stranger, gayly, "but I
am invited to dine with him."

"Then it is all right," said the magistrate, "you can enter. But you
must first go into that little side-room and brush your shoes before
the king sees you, for he would surely be enraged to find you in dusty
boots."

The king laughed gayly, and entered the house. "I will go to the king's
chamber at once. I think he will forgive my shoes." He beckoned to the
two officers and entered his room, the door of which he left open.

The magistrate took no more notice of him, but remained outside, looking
e