Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 33, Number 182, 15 August 1908 — Page 6

. . -HE KICmrONl PALLADIUM AXD SU3f-TELEGRA3Tir

Little American Girl at Court By LOUISE BRADFORD VARNUM.

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IN FRONT OF THE FIRE WAS AX OLD GENTLEMAN FAST ASLEEP

of the old town until they came to the great church, which stood near the bank of the river. The King's palace was close by the church, being separated from it only by a narrow street, and yet connected with it, too, for an inclosed passageway, or bridge, extended from ihe second story of the palace to the gallery of the church, so that the royal family nvght attend the services without descending to the street and mounting the stairs again to reach their Loge, or box, where they sat overlooking priest and people, more as if in a theater than in a church. Herr Mayer was the King's organist, and, as a special mark of favor, he allowed his best pupils to take an occasional lesson upon that wonderful organ, which, although it was built so many years ago, is still considered one of the finest in Europe. He met our little party at the door, greeting his pupil with

and then led the way into the

steep and winding stair to the

m1

HE President of the United States had ap-

nointed a new American representative at

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II the court of Elbstadt-baxhausen, and m II the course of a few weeks the minister arJLL rived in the old German city, bringing with him his wife and two daughters. Belle, the eldest, was nineteen, and "out" in society; and Marjorie, the heroine of my story, was but five years old. Marjorie was a pretty child, with big brown eyes, a merry little mouth, and a tangle of golden hair, that stood out like a halo about her head, and cost ! Babette, her nurse, an infinite amount of trouble and patience to keep it in order. Babette was a blueeyed, rosy-cheeked German girl, and from the first moment of her entrance into this American household she devoted herself especially to Marjorie. 'Marjorie was a well-behaved little girl, usually, but irather heedless. She received much good advice jfrom her mother on heedless ways advice that was needed. She often replied: "I do try to remember 'what you say, mama, but it won't stay remembered!" ! The American legation, or house and office of the l American minister, was situated in a beautiful shady I street called the Konigstrasse. Down the whole ; length of the avenue ran a broad strip of turf, adorned at intervals with beds of brilliant flowers; 'and just in front of the legation this widened into i little park, in the center of which was a fountain playing day and night. Throughout the summer it icoolea the air about it, and pleased the ear and eye (with the plash and sparkle of the falling water. The house in which Marjorie lived was in a large garden with winding walks, flower-beds, fountains, shady trees overarching the smooth shaven i lawns, and a broad graveled drive leading tinder the porte-cochere up to the great front door, ovr hung the arms of the United States. ?i;.. and Babette spent a happy summer wandering in the garden, or resting beneath the trees, when Babette would bring out an unfinished blue woolen stocking she was never without her knitting and worked diligently, while she told Marjorie wonderful German tales fairy stories, or stories of the war which cost the Fatherland so many noble Jives. But, of all things, Marjorie loved best to hear of the King and Queen of that country; and Babette never wearied of dilating upon the reported magnificence of her sovereign his many palaces, carriages, horses, and his rich robes of state. Marjorie had 6een one of the palaces, the one which the King inhabited in the winter; but its extern! appearance certainly did not promise such delights as Eabette assured her existed within, could ore but pass its somewhat forbidding portals. H Babctte's stories were true, however, no king in fairyland ever lived in greater sUte and splendor th-r. did his Majesty of Elbsi-'.d, t The long sumrr.er days passed alj too Quickly to IMarjorie, and then came aii:umr:, bringing w:t!j it renewed life and activity to th old town, which had hitherto seemed so sleepy and dulL The King and court returned from the prince on the river; the streets and tarks were gay with gorgeous equipages and brilliant uniforms; rind t last, one night, Marjorie had the delight or seeing her father, rftother, nd sister attired tor the fust ball at the court. The festivities of the winter had begun. ; Tell me ell about it nv-orrow, were her last words, as her parents descended the stevs to the carriage. "I want to know how the King was dressed, and the Queen, too; and what they said, and everything! Please Coa't forget!" ,Mny were the :cs::ons sne aske-j cn the following l.y questions which her mother and sister I could not ansvet, having btri too much occurred at the ball to notice the details for which Marjorie's ; acu.1 longed. VV!', I wish T could go to court and see the King rcr myseU!" she exc'ahnoi scrawtut totatiieatlv ia her wicRpgiatuJCi;.

bow,

up a

a profound church and

organ-loft.

It seemed very after the brilliant

"You must wait until you are grown before you can go to court, little girl," replied her sister; "but I will take you to the gardens this afternoon, and I think we shall see the King there." "Oh, you darling!" exclaimed Marjorie, all sunshine again at the prospect. "Will you really take me to see him to-day?" "Yes, really," replied Belle; and away went Marjorie on dancing feet to impart the joyful news to her faithful friend Babette. At length the appointed time arrived, and Marjorie set off with her sister in a state of blissful expectation. But once in the gardens, she walked demurely enough as they took their way toward the lake in the most frequented part of the esplanade. As they approached the drive which encircled the sheet of water, a rider on a black horse came rapidly galloping toward them. The pedestrians ran to the edge of the walk, crying, "Der Konig kommt!" ("The King is coming!") "Ah, we are just in time." said Belle. "And now, Marjorie, you shall see the King; for here he comes!" Marjorie opened her eyes to the widest extent as she gazed at the man on the black horse. "Is that the King?" she asked, with a shade of disappointment in Iter tone. "Oh, no," replied her sister; "that is the outrider. Then Marjorie saw four black horses, ridden by. gay postilions, which came at a smart trot down the drive, drawing a great coach the front of which was of glass; the harness was shining with gold, and the royal arms were emblazoned upon the panel of the door. At the back stood two tail footmen in powdered wigs and cocked hats, with much gold lace upon their gray liveries. Inside sat an old gentleman, who looked pleaeant and kind, and was smiling at the people along the way. Marjorie noticed him but little, however, in her anxiety to watch for the King. , "I suppose that is the in-rider," she said to herself; "and now surely the King will come." But no other carriage followed, and the groups of promenaders resumed their course about the lake. "Now, dear," said Belle, as they walked on, "at las: you have seen the King!" "Why, no, I have n't!" sid Marjorie, with tears in her voice. "First th;re was the out-rider, and thtn there was the in-ridcr, and that was ail!" Belle laughed heartily; hut catching a glimpse of the woebegone little face under the broad hat at her side, she stooped do-n and said: "Why, darling, that was the King in the carriage. I thought you understood." Oh. dear! oh, dear!" Marjorie grumbled. "I m so disappointed! I never looked at him at all! Why was ti't he dressed like a King? Where was his I spiky crown and his specter?" (By which she meant ?. scepter.) "All the fairy-story kings dress so that you know them the minute you see their pictures; and I thought he would have on his robes, at least, or just his crown! Do you suppose he had his spiky 4ciown on under his hat, sister Belle?" ifr Her sister laughed again, and said that she did not think the real kings wore their crowns in the " street, and that even at the ba'.l he had been attired only in an officer's uniform. But nothing comforted Marjorie for this great disappointment, and it was only by premising to take her again to the gardens, in the hope of seeing his Majesty, that she was induced to restrain her tears on tha way home. But most childhood's sorrows are not long-lived, and on the following day Marjorie had regained her usual cheerfulnesSi and she learned with deiight that her mother would permit her to accompany her sister to the old court church, where Belle had made an appointment to meet her music-master, and under his direction to practise for an hour upon the great organ. Bshette alo was to go, to take care of Marjorie while the e'.der sister was occupied with her lesson; . cad together the three walked through the streets

dark and gloomy in the church, sunshine of the streets, for the

only light came from two candles, one at each side of the organ, which shed their feeble rays upon the keys, leaving the rest of the gallery darker by contrast. Belle seated herself upon the high wooden bench, before the organ, and placed her fingers on the worn and yellow keys, and her feet on the pedals. "Blow, Johann!" roared Herr Mayer; and the invisible Johann began to blow the organ, and the young girl to play, while Marjorie stood enraptured to hear the wonderful tones peal out through the old church, and along the lofty arches, under the touch of those soft white hands. Herr Mayer remained standing near, waving his hand, and saying from time to time: "More slower, mein Fraulein zo! 't is better." Or, "More loudly! yet more loudlier! Ahl dat is veil! Now zoft again zo quiet, zo-o shtill, it shall be like a zigh!" And then Herr Mayer would sigh, as if at some tender thought awakened in his sentimental breast. After looking and listening for a few moments, Marjorie strolled with Babette along the gallery of the church, her eyes gradually becoming accustomed to the subdued light which fell through the painted windows. There were many pictures of saints and angels upon the walls and she plied Babette with questions about them until at last they reached the farther end of the gallery, just overlooking the high altar, and were stopped by the partition-wall which inclosed the King's Loge. There was a door in this wall, but in front of it a sentry was slowly pacing, carrying his rifle, and looking very much bored. At sight of Babette he grinned delightedly, and gaVe her a nod, accompanied by a suppressed "Guten Tag" for a sentry is not permitted to speak when on duty; and then Marjorie recognized him as "Cook's son Hans," whom she had often seen in the kitchen when he came to visit his mother. No one being at hand to see, or to report him to his superior officer, Hans and Babette soon fell into conversation; and then Babette sat down on one of the gallery benches, and the soldier walked up and down the narrow aisle behind her, talking to her as he walked, and sometimes stopping to say a few words in a lower tone as she looked up at him over her shoulder. Seeing them both so busy, Marjorie speedily pushed her investigations as far as the door leading into the royal box. On the floor stood a' basket containing tools, of which she did not know the use; but it took only an instant for her sharp little eyes to discover that the lock of the door had been removed. No doubt it was for the purpose of preventing intrusion during the repairs that the sentry had been stationed in the gallery of the church; but Marjorie never stopped to reason about the matter. She pushed the door. To her delight, it yielded; and in another moment she stood within the King's Loge, and immediately began a minute examination of all that it contained. The furniture consisted of large gilt arm-chairs, upholstered in crimson velvet, on the backs of which were emblazoned the arms of Elbstadt-Saxhausen.

On 2 velvet sh'elf under trie window tHere were several large praycrbooks and hymnals, all with the royal arms in gold upon their covers; and upon the floor were soft kneeling-bcnches for the royal knees. Marjorie seated herself in the largest of the armchairs, and then in each of the others in succession. "I feel like Little Golden-hair," she said. "I wonder if, the next time the King comes to church, he will say, 'who 's been sitting in my chair?' like the Big Bear? Oh, I do wish he would come in now!" As Marjorie continued her voyage of discovery, she raw at the back of the box a velvet curtain, trimmed like the rest of the hangings with Rold fringe, and upon raising a corner of this, she found that it concealed a door. She laboriously turned the knob, opened the door, and entered the corridor connecting the church with the palace. A slight sound near at hand causing Marjorie to turn her head, she saw the door at the palace end of the corridor open, and a man entered, dressed as a workman, carrying in his hand a basket of tools, similar to that which she had seen in the church. He set his basket on the floor, and, kneeling beside it, took up a screwdriver, with which he began to loosen the screws holding the lock of the door in place. "All the locks seem to be out of order to-day," thought Marjorie. "I '11 go and talk to the man while he works. It will be much better than trying to amuse myself." Accordingly she approached the workman, and was about to enter into conversation with him when the man, dropping his tools, rose to his feet, and, pulling off his cap, said, with a low bow: "Your humble servant, little Princess! Allow me to open the door for your Royal Highness!" And suiting the action to the word, he opened the door; and Marjorie. without hesitation, passed through the doorway, and actually stood in the great hall of the palace. If you were to ask her what she saw, she could give but a confused account of paintings, statues, marble pillars, and waving palms; for she paused but a moment to glance about her. "Sister Belle said I could n't go to court until I was grovi; but I 'm in the King's palace now, and I 'm going to see the King if I can, ' was her thought. Away she sped on nimble feet, her steps falling noiselessly on the thick carpet, down the hall, around a corner, when, bump! she fell against an unexpected door. The door flew open, and in rolled Marjorie upon the parquet floor. She was a little frightened, but not hurt, and picking herself up, she stood still and listened. The room was empty. A has"ty glance convinced her that it was used as a library or reading-room, for on both sides of it were great bookcases filled with large volumes, and a table in the center of it was strewn thickly with pamphlets and loaded with books of every size. Between the bookcases on one side hung a silken curtain; and having been fortunate thus far in her discoveries, she drew it aside, and stood spellbound by the scene before her. Was it fairyland? At first she really thought so. For where, except in fairyland, could one find such a bower of roses? Roses everywhere! white, pink, yellow, crimson, growing in masses and clusters upon light arched tiellises, through which one might look up to the blue sky above, while about this airy structure hovered bids and butterflies of such wondrous colors as she had never imagined birds and butterflies to be. On a spray near her rested a beautiful bright creature with wings half spread, ready for flight. Marjorie cautiously stretched out her hand to touch it, and uttered an exclamation of surprise on finding bird and spray to be painted upon the wall. Yes, roses, birds, sky, and all were but an imitation of nature, but so skilfully done as to deceive, at first sight, a more experienced eye than Marjorie's. Marjorie walked as in a dream of delight through this scene of enchantment. She studied the strange figures upon the screen, and on passing behind it to see what the other side had to offer, she found that it concealed a white-and-gold fireplace, where a fire was burning on the hearth which certainly was not what one would expect to find in a rose bower. Marjorie did not give much attention to this, however, for she was startled and somewhat dismayed to see sitting in front of the fire in a great arm-chair an old gentleman, fast asleep, with a silk handkerchief over his head. She gazed at him in silent surprise, when suddenly she sneezed twice, very loud: "Atchoo! Atchoo!" The old gentleman jumped as if he had received an electric shock, sat upright, pulling the handkerchief from his head, and stared at Marjorie in great amazement and with evident consternation. For a moment I believe he thought she was part of a dream; he rubbed his eyes as if he could not trust his sight; and then, realizing that the little visitor was made of flesh and blood, he smiled ("the kindest,

H

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THE KING 02DEREC till. ESCORTED HOME.

3earesf smile, she said afterwardT, and asked int pleasant voice: "Little girl, where did you come from?" Marjorie hurriedly explained her presence in the palace, and told the story of her entering from the chuich. "But how did it happen that the doors wer unfastened?" inquired the old gentleman. "Well, I think." explained Marjorie, "that the locks are out of order, apd the workman is mending them. He thought 1 was a princess." At this she laughed. "And when he opened the door for me, it just popped into my head to go and see the King, and so 1 came. Do you think 1 can see him. pleaser' I' Why do you wish to see the King, my child V "Oh, because pa;a and mama and sister Belle go to court, and they have told me how good he is, and how kind to the poor, and ever so many other splendid things. Can you tell me where he is, please?" "My child, who is your papa? If he comes to our court, I should know him. "My papa is the American minister, answered Marjorie, proudly. "Ah, so! Well, my little girl, we must let your friends know where you are, for they will be troubled." "Oh, but please, please don't send me away before I 've seen the King," pleaded Marjorie. "I v wanted to see him so long" with a sigh. "Why, my little one, I am the King." To say that Marjorie was not disappointed at this unlooked-for announcement would be anything but the truth. Her ideas of royal state had received a severe shock. But after looking at him fixedly for a moment, she slowly remarked, in what she supposed to be the proper form of address: "Well, 0 King, I was never so astonished in all my life; but I am so glad to see you, I really can't 'spress myself." The old King laughed heartily at this frank avowal, as well as at the wording of it. and taking the little girl upon his knee, he talked to her for while, answering most kindly and patiently her many questions, each question beginning or ending "0 King," according to her idea of the proper manner of speaking to one of his exalted rank. In the Old Testament stories the courtiers, in speaking to the King, always began, "O King, live forever!." and the Bible, of course, was right. "O King, this is such a lovely room, she said. "Can you walk right out into that beautiful garden?" The old King explained that the garden was but a picture, as were the roses and birds. "Oh," said Marjorie, in astonishment, "I thought it was a truly garden. I can hardly believe it is only pretend! "I spend much time here." he continued, "for although I am an old man, I am still fond of birds and flowers and children," he added, with a smile. "But we must send word to your friends, my dear. So saying, he touched a silver bell on the table, and a man in black appeared in the doorway, making a low bow as he entered. "Tell Herr von Rabenshcim I desire to speak with him." The attendant bowed again and retired, and immediately a young officer dressed in the uniform of the King's guard entered the Rose Bower. His blue eyes opened in surprise when they fell upon the little runaway, for he knew her well, having been a frequent visitor at the American legation, and had always made a pet of the little girl, often telling her delightful tales of his young brothers and sisters, and of their life at his tether's castle of Rabenshcim. Marjorie's surprise was equally great, and running toward her friend, she was about to enter into an explanation of her presence in the King's private apartment when he checked her by a motion of his hand, for the King was speaking: "Max, the little one says she left her friends in the church. See that some one goes to inform them that she is in safe hands." "I will go myself, sire," said the young man, and. clicking his heels together, he bowed and left the apartment, but soon returned, saying that the church was empty, the little girl's sister and maid having thought, no doubt, that she had wandered from the building into the street. "We must send her home at once. They will be anxious. Thou shalt take her. Max. And ringing the silver bell again, the King said to the attendant who appeared: "My carriage immediately." And when its arrival was announced he stooped and kissed the little girl, saying: "God keep thee, my child!" Marjorie flung her arms around his neck, and giving him a hearty kiss, said: "Good-by, you dear, dear King! I ve had such s beautiful visit!" "And so have I," said his Majesty. "Tell your, mama that you have made an old man very happy, and that he hopes for the pleasure of another visit from his little friend." Max took Marjorie's hand in his, and together they passed down the great staircase between rows of palms and statues, to the door of the palace, before which stood the King's own carriage. The four horses, postilions, and footmen were there; only' the outrider, was wanting: but to make up for this, "there were two in-riders," as Marjorie said. In the meantime, the household in the Konig-! strasse was in a state of agitation. When Belie re-j turned from her lesson, followed by the weeping! Babette, and told the sorrowful tale of Marjorie's! disappe?rance, for which Babette could offer no ex- j planation, though she knew it was in some way due, o her carelessness, Marjorie's mother burst into! tears, and sank down upon the sofa, giving herself I op to the most horrible forebodings regarding thei fate of the missing child. Papa, leaving her to thej care of her daughter and the frightened maid, seized i his hat, and hastened to the police-station to send out a description of the lost little girl. Poor Belle 1 tried to reassure her mother, but walked the floor, saying to herself. I should not have taken her! unless I was able to watch her! I am sure we shall never see her again!" So great was their anxiety! and distress that the clattering of hoofs and rolling of wheels on the drive fell unheeded upon their ears, and it was only the sound of little feet oa the steps,', and a merry little voice in the hall, which assured 1 them that the truant had returned. j The door was flung open, and in rushed the im-j petuous Marjorie, eager to recount her adventures. J But she stopped short on the threshold, appalled byj the melancholy scene before her: mama, sister Belle, and Babette with red eyes and unmistakable signs cf distress visible on their countenances! What I could it mean?

Dear mama, she exclaimed, "what is th'e matter? Why do you all look so sad? But now no one looked sad. With one accord tney flew toward the little girl, all talking at once, and all so eager to welcome her they could scarcely wait tc take her in turn. "Yon 11 pull me to pieces she said. "Why are you all so glad to see me? "Why are we glad?" exclaimed her mama, laughing and crying and kissing he.- all at once. "Why should we not be glad to welcome back our lost little girl? "Lost!" exclaimed Marjorie. "Did von tti'mV r

was lost? I would n't be? so foolish! I was n't lost! I 'ye been to courtr t

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