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Mother Goose in Prose by L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
page 47 of 191 (24%)
paid, and then he took it and scattered it amongst the beggars outside
the palace.

By this time King Cole decided he had transacted enough business for
one day, so he sent word to those outside that if anyone had a quarrel
that was not just he should be severely punished; and, indeed, when
the subjects learned the manner in which the King settled disputes,
they were afraid to come to him, as both sides were sure to be losers
by the decision. And that saved King Cole a lot of trouble thereafter,
for the people thought best to settle their own differences.

The King, now seeing he was free to do as he pleased, retired to his
private chamber, where he called for the three fiddlers and made them
play for him while he smoked his pipe and drank a bowl of punch.

Every evening he had a dance in the palace; and every day there were
picnics and merrymakings of all kinds, and before long King Cole had
the reputation of having the merriest court in all the world.

He loved to feast and to smoke and to drink his punch, and he was
never so merry as when others were merry with him, so that the three
fiddlers were almost always by his side, and at any hour of the day
you could hear sweet strains of music echoing through the palace.

Old King Cole did not forget the donkey that had been his constant
companion for so long. He had a golden saddle made for him, with a
saddle-cloth broidered in gold and silver, and the bridle was studded
with diamonds and precious stones, all taken from the King's treasury.

And when he rode out, the old fat King always bestrode the donkey,
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