Old Fritz and the New Er

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: the generals who formerly joined in this cry of the Prussian warrior, now repeated it in weak, trembling tones. Frederick smiled a recognition, bowing on all sides, then turned slowly away, leaning upon his staff. When once more alone, the youthful expression faded from his eyes, and the gloomy shadows of...
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Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: the generals who formerly joined in this cry of the Prussian warrior, now repeated it in weak, trembling tones. Frederick smiled a recognition, bowing on all sides, then turned slowly away, leaning upon his staff. When once more alone, the youthful expression faded from his eyes, and the gloomy shadows of old age settled down upon his thoughtful brow. They have all grown old and morose, said he, mildly, they will not show any more heroism; the fire of ambition is quenched in their souls A warm stove must warm their old limbs. Oh it is a pitiful thing to grow old; and still they call themselves the images of God Poor boasters, who, with a breath of the Almighty, are overturned and bent as a blade of grass in the sand Your majesty, may I come in? asked a gentle, happy child's voice. The king turned hastily toward the door, so softly opened, and there stood a charming little boy, in the uniform of a flag-bearer, with the cap upon his head, and a neat little sword by his side. Yes, you may enter, nodded the king kindly to him. You know I sent for you, my little bearer. CHAPTER III. FBEDBBICK WILLIAM. The little flag-bearer skipped into the room with graceful Tivacity, and sprang, with a merry bound, up to the king, took his hand without ceremony, and pressed it to his lips. Then, raising up his head and shaking back his light-brown curls from his rosy cheeks, his bright-blue eyes sparkling, he looked him full in the face. Your majesty, you say that you sent for me; but I must tell you that if you had not sent for me I would have come here alone, and begged so long at the door, that vou would have let me come in And what if I would not have let you come in at all? said the king, smiling. The little flag-bearer reflected a moment, then ans...