Frederick, King of Prussia, one day rang his bell, and, no one answering, he opened the door and found his page fast asleep in his elbow-chair.
He advanced towards him, and was about to waken him, when he perceived a letter hanging out of his pocket.
Curiosity prompted him to know what it contained; so he took it out and read it. It was a letter from the young man’s mother, in which she thanked him for having sent her part of his money to relieve her misery, and telling him that God would reward him for his filial affection.
The King, after reading it, went softly to his chamber, took out a purse full of money, and slipped it, along with the letter, into the page’s pocket. Returning to his chamber, he rang the bell so loudly that it awoke the page, who instantly made his appearance.
You have had a sound sleep,” said the King.
The page was at a loss how to excuse himself, and putting his hand into his pocket by chance, to his utter astonishment found there the purse. He took it out, and turned pale when he saw what it was.
“What is that?” said the King; “what is the matter?”
“Ah, sire,” said the young man, throwing himself on his knees, “someone is trying to ruin me. I know nothing of this money that I have just found in my pocket, nor do I know how it has been put there.”
“My young friend,” said Frederick, “God often does great things for us even in our sleep. Send that to your mother, salute her on my part, and assure her that I will take care of both her and you.”
The Catechism In Examples Vol. III By the Rev. D. Chisholm Pg. 212-213.
Short Stories on Honor, Chivalry, and the World of Nobility—no. 473
