Conneaut High School - Tattler Yearbook (Conneaut, OH)

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C. J. FREW, FLORIST, Broad Street “It sounds like an earthquake,” answered the king quietly, but his face betrayed his feelings. “Still,” he continued, “I can hardly believe it to be that, as there has never been an-” “Wh—Who is that!” screamed the queen, interrupting the conversation and pointing to the small figure of a boy who had forced his way past the guards and was tearing down the path toward the king and queen. “Your Majesties,” he panted, as he reached them, “the enemy— the enemy are attacking the city.” “Child, are you mad?” asked the king sternly, “how could the enemy be attacking the walls without some one’s reporting their coming long before this?” “They—they came out of the ground, your majesty. Oh, hurry, we’ll all be killed,” pleading the boy, sinking to his knees. “Do you mean by a tunnel, lad,” asked the king, grasping the hoy’s shoulders. “Yes, sir, I think that’s it,” said the boy tearfully. The king now seemed fully aware of the danger, and motioning the queen and the unknown child to follow him, he hastened into the castle and going into the throne room he pressed a button, which was concealed on the arm of the throne, and immediately a panel on the wall opened disclosing a tiny ante-chamber. 'Pile surprised queen looked inquiringly at her husband, but he beckoned her to enter and told the boy to follow. “Stay here,” said he, “until I send someone to you. You will be quite safe if you obey my orders and do not venture forth.” With that he embraced his wife and child, and closing the door he hurried into the outer court and thence into the city itself, where he was soon commanding a body of soldiers and issuing orders to various other leaders. In the meanwhile the occupants of the secret room in the palace were undergoing severe shocks from the explosion of shells and the general thundering confusion of battle. The secret room was furnished with several easy chairs, a table, and a small bookcase containing several large volumes, and a small iron box, together with numerous papers yellow with age. The queen had dropped into a chair, with the baby still clasped tightly in her arms, and was exclaiming in a low voice over and over again, “Oh, my husband! his kingdom! what will become of them?” The little boy, who was probably seven years of age, had taken another chair and was regarding the queen with a child-like expression of sorrow and sympathy. As the queen seemed to take no notice of her small companion, the boy grew tired of doing nothing, and having already observed with interest the iron box, he slowly tip-toed across the room to the bookcase, and tried the door. He pulled with all his strength 4

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ALICE KURTZ, First Prize. The two tiny kingdoms of Moravia and Geraviam had been in constant turmoil for more than a year, owing to the fact that the daughter of the king of Geraviam, Princess Millicent, had disobeyed her father’s command that she marry an Italian nobleman, and had run away and married the young king, Maurice of Moravia. Also the young son of the king of Geraviam had disappeared and his father thought he had been kidnapped by order of King Maurice because of a grudge. King Jasper of Geraviam in his wrath had at once declared war upon his rival kingdom and resolved that he would have the head of King Maurice and the kingdom of Moravia for himself. The armies of the two countries proved equal in strength, and at the end of a year little advantage had been gained for either side. In the beginning of the second summer of the war the army of Geraviam disappeared so completely and mysteriously that the people of Moravia grew suspicious and fortified themselves strongly, keeping a vigilant watch day and night. But as June, July and August passed away and there was no sign of the enemy, the people relaxed their vigilance and resumed their customary life. The end of September came and still there was no sign of the enemy. The people seemed to lose all fear and life was again happy and peaceful in the kingdom of Moravia. King Maurice called councellors together and discussed the prospects for making peace. One bright day in October, Queen Millicent, King Maurice and baby Princess Rosella were enjoying the morning sunshine in the garden back of the palace. Suddenly they were startled by a faint rumbling like the tread of many feet. The queen turned white and grasped the baby princess closely. “Oh—what is it?” she whispered. 3

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C. J. FREW, FLORIST, Broad Street but he could not open it. However, his efforts jarred the room and attracted the queen’s attention. “Why, bless you, how you frightened me!” she said. “I had quite forgotten your presence—1 hope you will pardon ine, and tell me what it is in that case you are so intent upon securing.” “It’s only an iron box, but I thought I’d see what was in it,” replied the boy, Hushing with embarrassment. “What is your name,” asked the queen, kindly. “Sammy,” replied the boy. “Well, Sammy, perhaps I can help you,” said the queen, propping the baby in a chair and coming to the boy’s side. The repeated efforts of the queen failed, and at last in exhaustion, she sank to her knees on the floor. The boy regarded her inquiringly. “Maybe I could kick the glass out,” he offered. “My shoes are real strong.” “No! No! protested the queen. “You might harm yourself and there is no help now,” she finished sadly. “But,” said she, rising, “I have a better plan.” So saying, she grasped the smallest of the chairs which furnished the room, and raising it in her hands struck the door of the case, shattering the heavy glass. This done, she procured the iron box and placing it upon the table proceeded to try the cover. I’lie cover refused to open, and Sammy, whose eyes had been wide open with excitement, was near tears at this discovery. The queen examined the box closely and discovered a tiny jewel in the lower corner. She was puzzled at finding this, and showing it to Sammy, she said, “Sammy, what do vou think of this jewel?” “I don’t know,” Sammy replied, “it looks like a shiny button.” “Which it is,” said the queen excitedly, and she pressed the button. The cover sprang open, disclosing a heap of sparkling jewels. In the center of the sparkling mass was a small plush box, which, upon opening, revealed a golden signet ring set with diamonds and emeralds. The inside of the ring was engraved in tiny letters. The queen picked the ring up in her hands to examine it. when she was startled by voices outside in the throne-room. “Great Jupiter, the walls have been taken,” said one excitedly. “ ’Tis better we all flee to safety,” said another, “their numbers are overwhelming.” “Men, do not despair,” pleaded a third voice, “do not forsake the honor of your country. Fight, men, fight for your country’s honor and glory. Away to the front,” he commanded in a loud voice. The queen recognized the voice of the third speaker to be that of her husband, and throwing open the door she faced him, terror written on her face. 5