Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1883 — A King Playing Horse. [ARTICLE]

A King Playing Horse.

One genial memory of a person outweighs many unpleasant characteristics that happen to belong to him; and most of us are ready and glad to correct the bad impression of appearances by welcoming & single redeeming faet. So our feelings soften toward a personage in history whom we do not like, or a portrait that repels us, as soon as some tender incident in the life of the original brings him nearer to us. A case in point is narrated by a writer in The Presbyterian: The portrait of William 111., of England, inspires one with awe. There is severity in his, conntenance that makes one stand at a distance, even though he admire*that Prince. These were my feelings for years, until they were changed by my learning of this incident: The King was one day engaged deeply in matters of state. There was a knock at the door. “Who is there?” said the King. “My Lord Buck,” was the reply, puling from a childish voice. “What does he want?” said the King, as he went and opened the door. “The King, for my horse to draw my carriage.” His Secretary, who perhaps had never seen a smile on his royal face, looked up with wonder. But, to his astonishment, the King laid down his pen and parchment, and laid aside the cares of state. A smile spread over his features. He took hold of the string and trotted up and down with the carriage, to the complete satisfaction of my Lord Buck. ' . v , ; ' -y' • Since I read that I have loved William m..as I never did before. Perhaps none but a child could have aroused so completely the sympathies of the King.