The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-08-21
The Queen and the ouakeress.

In the summer Of 18l 5 her late Majesty.
Queen Charlotte, visited Bath, accompaui
ed by the Princess Elizabeth. The waters
soon effected such respite from pain in the
royal patient that she propos ed an excur-
sion to park Of some celebrity in the
ncighborl,ood, then the estate Of a rich wild
ow lady belonging to the Society Of Friends.
Notice was given of the Queen S intention,
and Il message returned that she would be
welcome. Our illustrious traveller had,
perhaps, never before any personal inter
course with n member Of the persuasion
whose votarics never voluntarily paid tax
es to ''the man George, called King. 10y the
vain oncs.' The lrly and gentleman who
were to attend the royal vsitants had but
feeble IDEAS Of the reception to be expected.
1t WAS supposed that the Quaker would, at
least, say Thy Majesty" Thy lliyhness," J"
or "MaIamc"
The royal carriage arrived at the lodge
Of the park runctually at the appointed
hour. No preparations appeared to have
been made; no hostess or domestics stood
ready to greet the guest. The por:cy's
bell was rung; lie stepped forth dcibcr-
atcly, with his broad brmmed beaver on,
and unbcndingly acco,tcd the lord in wait
ing with whats thy will. friend! q
! That WAS almost unreasonable. "Surc.
ly said the noL!rlna,, "your mistress is IL
ware that her majrSty-go to your mistress
AMI say that the Queen Is here"
No, truly" answered the man, sit ncc,lc,h
not-I have no mistress or lady but my
! flicn Rachel Mills expects thine. Walk in.
i The Queen and the princess were hand
ell out, and walked mp the avenue. At
! the door Of the house stood the plainly al
! tired, Rachel, who, without even n courtesy
I but with cheerful no:l said, allows thee
10, friend? am .lal 10 see thee and thy
daughter. wi>l, tho WELL Rest and re-
fresh thee aud thy people before l show
, thee my grounds"
What could be said to such person :
Some condcsccnsion WAS attempted, imply
inc lha; her Majesty came not only TO view
the park, @,ut to testify her esteem for the
society to which Mistress Mills belonged.
Cool AMI unawel, he said, "Ycs, thou art
right there. The Friends arc we'll thought
ofby mos, folks, bat they need not The
praise OF the world for, the rest, many
stranger, CRAFTY their curiosity by going
over this place, and it is my custom to con
duct them myself therefore, will do the
like by thee, friend Charlotte. Moreover,
think well Of thee as dutiful wife and
mother Til I'll hast hal thy trials, AMI so
has thy COOL partner. wish thy gran.l-
child well through hers" She alluded tc
the Princess Charlotte.
1t was so evident that the Friends meant
kindly, my, respectfully, that no oiirnc,
coull he taken. The Princess F.lizabetl
noticed in the hen house breed ofpo,Itr,
hitherto unknown to her, and expressed :
: wish to possess some Of these rare fowls,
imagining that Mrs. Mills would rcgar,
her wish as law but the Qnakrrcss merely
remarked, with her characteristic evasion
"Thcv are rare, us thou saycst but if the,
arc to l'c purchased in this land or other coun
tries, know oftew wom.n lik licr than
thySclf 10 procure them with case"
Her royal IIighncss more plainly OK
pressed her desire to purchase some ot those
which she now brlcld
81 d" not buy and SELL" answered Rach
cl. "Icrhnps yon will give me a paif 2
observed the Princess.
NAY, verify" replied Rachel Mills. 81
have refused many trcnlS; AMI that which
| denied 10 my Own knSwom IN, Mlrtha
Ash, it becomet'i ME not to grant to anv
We have long had it TO say that these birds
belonged only TO our house; and car
make no exception in thy favor"
This is Il fact.