Conneaut High School - Tattler Yearbook (Conneaut, OH)

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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

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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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C. J. FREW, FLORIST, Broad Street “Millicent, go back, said the king, your life is endangered. The enemy have entered the city and are plundering and killing.” “Oh! Oh! hide with me; they want to kill you, Maurice,” pleaded Queen Millicent, her voice trembling. “I must not, 1 will not hide. Oh, promise me, Millicent, to stay in safety until I return for you,” said the king, extending his hand toward the queen. The queen stepped forward as if to grasp the hand extended toward her, hut fell before she reached it. King Maurice knelt to raise her, hut she was lifeless, a bullet had pierced her heart. “Millicent,” my queen,” sobbed the king, and lifting her in his arms he carried her to the great hall and laid her upon a lounge. As the crashing and booming of battle sounded nearer, he rushed from the palace flourishing his sword wildly, declaring in a loud voice that he would avenge the queen’s death. The palace grounds had already been entered by a band of the enemy and every door and window of.the castle had been made a target for many bullets. As King Maurice ran down the steps of the main entrance he was the target of many shots and never lived to accomplish bis revenge. The whole city was being shattered by shells and bullets. All that was of value was carried oil' by the soldiers. Those of the population who had been able to use weapons had fought the enemy bravely, but many were forced to seek safety elsewhere. In the meantime, Sammy and the baby Princess Rosella were still occupying the secret room. When the queen did not return, Sammy took it as a matter of course and for a time amused himself and the baby princess by rolling the bright buttons, as he called the jewels, from one end of the room to the other, and soon the costly gems were scattered here and there, lending a sparkling appearance to the whole room. When Sammy discovered the signet ring he laughed with delight and greatly pleased the baby princess by allowing her to hold it in her tiny hand. Finally the children grew tired and fell asleep. As the hours passed the sounds of battle grew less loud. At last they ceased altogether and night spread her wings of darkness over the scene of desolation and sorrow. Sammy was not at all frightened when he awakened in the dark. heeling about him he found the door and opened it. Then picking up the sleeping baby in his arms he carefully felt his way out of the palace, and going down the steps disappeared into the darkness. Continued in our next 6