KING ALFRED AND THE BEGGAR.


At one time the Danes drove King Alfred from his kingdom, and he had
to lie hidden for a long time on a little is-land in a river.

One day, all who were on the is-land, except the king and queen and
one servant, went out to fish. It was a very lonely place, and no one
could get to it except by a boat. About noon a ragged beggar came to
the king's door, and asked for food.

The king called the servant, and asked, "How much food have we in the
house?"

"My lord," said the servant, "we have only one loaf and a little
wine."

Then the king gave thanks to God, and said, "Give half of the loaf and
half of the wine to this poor man."

The servant did as he was bidden. The beggar thanked the king for his
kindness, and went on his way.

In the after-noon the men who had gone out to fish came back. They had
three boats full of fish, and they said, "We have caught more fish
to-day than in all the other days that we have been on this island."