The Portland daily press., 1863-01-14
MISCELLANY.
ExnenSiye Testing.

Monarchs are often fond of jesting, and
humber people find genuine pleasure in see
ing them made the victims OF practical jokes.
The late King and Queen of Prussia, says the
Leisure Hour, made draft on each others
purae, for the benefit of lucky soldier. The
following sketch of it is pleasant
The King was in the habit of breakfasting
every morning with the Queen in her boudoir.
On one occasion his majesty remarked a pret-
ty, simple morning cap lying on his royal con-
sorts work table and taking it up, he asked,
looking at the Queen: "What may be the
cost ?"
Queen Louisa hesitated for moment, and
then said merrily, "What use is there in tell
ing you? All men think every article ofladies'
dress too dear"
Frederick William was only the more stim-
ulated in his inquiry, and the Queen in her
bantering REFUSAL till at length the King pre-
vailed; and she laughingly exclaimed:
"Well, if your curiosity must be satisfied, it
cost four dollars twelve shilings sterling.)
"a monstrous deal Of money Tor such lit
tie thing" cried the king with affected serious
ness; and, as it happened that an invalid non
commissioned officer passed at the moment
the open window Of the boudoir, the King
called him in, and receiving the old soldiers
respectful salute, held up the cap, dangling be-
tween his fingers and thumb, before the eyes
of the astonshed veteran, asking, "And how
much think you might this affair cost?"
Begging your Majesty's pardon" began
the invalid, in a deprecatory tone, 1.-THE like of
us does not understand such matters; but
much it could not cost it is so small-perhaps
ten or twelve groschens*w
"Groschensr' repeated the King in tone
OF assumed displeasure, "you are quite out in
your guess, friend no less than four dollars
has been given for it by this fair lady here;
and as that is unquestionably great extrava-
gance, you can go up to her now and ask her
to give you the same sum, since her purse is
SO lavishly filed"
The old soldier was thrown into the most
puzzling predicament, and could not see clear
ly in how far he dare venture to enter into
the jest (for such he felt it to bel but the
Queen at once relieved him, for, putting on
gayly malicious smile, she went up TO the hes
itating sergeant, placed four silver dollars in
his hand, and then said, pointing to the King:
"The puissant lord standing there at the
window has a purse much more lavishly filed
than mine, and from him l receive all possess.
Go up therefore to him, and am sure he will
give you double of what | have jus. handed
you he is very well able to do it,
The wary old soldier cast a sly glance of en-
quiry towads his royal master twho had assur-
edly little anticipated the turn affairs had ta-
ken) before he would venture to advance;
but, meeting friendly smile, soon stood be-
fore the King, who, drawing out his purse,
with shrug that seemed to say, Il have got
into a fine mess by my jesting," handed eight
dollars to the delighted greybeard, who in
stantly backed out Of the royal presence with
precipitation that seemed to apply fear that
the dollars might perchance be re-demanded,
as given merely in jest. On his exit the
Queen clapped her hands merrily, and ex-
claimed, with joyous laugh, "who has paid
dearest for the cap should like to know ?"-
And, amid laughing reprisals, the couple sat
down to breakfast.