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- THE UNGRATEFUL GUEST
- AMONG the soldiers of King Philip there was a poor man who had done
- some brave deeds. He had pleased the king in more ways than one, and
- so the king put a good deal of trust in him.
- One day this soldier was on board of a ship at sea when a great storm
- came up. The winds drove the ship upon the rocks, and it was wrecked.
- The soldier was cast half-drowned upon the shore; and he would have
- died there, had it not been for the kind care of a farmer who lived close
- by.
- When the soldier was well enough to go home, he thanked the farmer for
- what he had done, and promised that he would repay him for his
- kindness.
- But he did not mean to keep his promise. He did not tell King Philip
- about the man who had saved his life. He only said that there was a fine
- farm by the seashore, and that he would like very much to have it for his
- own. Would the king give it to him?
- "Who owns the farm now?" asked Philip.
- "Only a churlish farmer, who has never done anything for his country,"
- said the soldier.
- "Very well, then," said Philip. "You have served me for a long time, and
- you shall have your wish. Go and take the farm for yourself."
- And so the soldier made haste to drive the farmer from his house and
- home. He took the farm for his own.
- The poor farmer was stung to the heart by such treatment. He went
- boldly to the king, and told the whole story from beginning to end. King
- Philip was very angry when he learned that the man whom he had
- trusted had done so base a deed. He sent for the soldier in great haste;
- and when he had come, he caused these words to be burned in his
- forehead:—
- "THE UNGRATEFUL GUEST."
- Thus all the world was made to know of the mean act by which the
- soldier had tried to enrich himself; and from that day until he died all
- men shunned and hated him.
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