The Shasta courier., 1865-07-29
The Poisoned FIowers.--An Incident in
tne Reign Of one of the Early Kings OF
France.

the Reign Of one of the Early Kings of
| France.
There are various traditions as to the orr
gan ot the golden lily upon the shield of
France. Among these is The following incl
dent, sand to have occurred in the latter part
9t the eleventh century, during the reign of
Philip Augustus
This Prince was only fifteen when he as
cended the throne, but the strong hand with
which ne seized the reigns Of government.
awinS the turbulent mobiles and protecting
the common people against their aggres.
slons, soon convinced them that he was not
to be desplsed for his youth. Though by this
course he greatly endeared himself to the
mass of his subjects, his life was more than
once threatened. and even attempted; but
these plots invariably originated among tie
naughty mobiles, who were restive under the
restraints imposed upon them by the Kings
strong arm and just and kindly heart.
In the summer of the seventh year Of his
reign, weary of the cares of state, Philip re.
| tired with his court to his royal residence at
| Chaumont which was f.vorite resort to him.
Among his train was Geoffrev, Count de
Neyilles. the natural son of Louis VII. and
therefore the kings half brother lie was a
mild inofensive man, apparently well con
| tented with the title and estate conferred by
| the late King upon bis mother, and which
he had inherited Mt her death, but, unfOrtu.
nately, he married Il haughty, ambitious wo,
man, who was ill-nclinei to forego her
claims to royalty. At the death of Louis
she openly asserted that there had been a
secret marriage between him and the late
Countess de Nevilles, and that upon the
head Of their son should rest the crown of
| France-he being the elder born, and urged
h>r husband to assert his claims. But this
the Count refused to do being ill-fttel By
nature to act part requiring more than
| usual energy and ability. besides entertaining
| too str org an affection for the Young King,
who had treated bin with marked Kindness,
to seek to deprive him Of lis rightful inher-
tance.
If Philip heard of the pretensions which
! the Countess set forth he NANTES ed no out
ward token of displeasurc or disttust on the
contrary. he gave his brother many evil
dences of his confidence and regard, appoint
! ing him to certain honorary Offices near h s
person, though he took care that they We're
such as conferred little power. This was Il
new source Of grievance to the naughty
Countess, who, relinquishing the idea Of
becoming Queen, had fondly imagined that
on account Of Philips youth, his brother
would obtain such strong ascendercy over
his mind as would make him King in reality
if not in name. This Disappointment was
felt with increased bitterness when she be-
came the mother Of a son, in whom centered
all her ambitious hopes, and all the love she
was capable of feeling for any one.
Uu!ike cur modern fine ladies', the " DANES
of high degree" of that remote period were
! n. !
often took long rides on horseback. before
| by her groom. who kept respectful dis
tance. Just near enough to be within call
should his lady require any assistance.
One morning she paused in front of a little
cottage situated in perfect wilderness of
bloom AS an involuntary ejaculation Of
surprise and admiration escaped her lips, "A
pretty, intelligent looking girl raisei her
| bright eyes from the rose bush she was
pruning.
/ Il have some much handsomcr within,
arranged in bouquets" she said smiling. " f
madame would like TO examine them"
Throwing the reins of her horse to her
attendant the Countess alighted, much to the
| surprise Of the servitor. who had never
known his naughty mistress to be guilty OF
so much eondtscension before.
As the Countess entered the little, low
room, the pretty flower girl displayed her
beautiful collection of bouquets with pardon.
able pride.
"All or any of them are at your service,
with the exception oil, this, F" she said point
ing to one com posed of golden lilies and white
roses, relieved by few leaves of green !;
this is for the King"
''SoKing Philip buys thy flowers. pretty
maiden ~
''Yes. madame l have orders to bring
them to the palace daily. The golden lily is
his fayorite flower and there are only these
iu bloom to-day"
L" / will take this. F." said the Countess, Sc
Letting one of the bouquets, and taking fr pm
her purse golden piece of more than double
the value. But first bring me a cool
draught from the spring yonder.'
With a light step the young girl took a
pitcher and passed out to the spring that was
hut few feet from the door. As She passed
the window, on returning she glanced in,
and saw TO her surprise her visitor bending
over the stand Of flowers, and apparently
shaking something from her hand upon those
she had laid aside for the King When she
took it away her eye caught the CLEAN of a
small golden flask. such as the ladies of that
peTlOt used Tor their cosmetics and perfume
~. But when she entered the room she
found her in the same position in which she
had left her. She could not forbear an ex
clamation of surprise as she observed how
deathly pale was her enuntenance
IT'S but the odor Of the flowers" said
tie Countess. as drawing her robes around
her she turned TO the door. take my ad-
aice my good girl, place the stand nearer the
window, and be not much over them their
perfume IS too strong for 50 close and small a
room.
There was something about these words,
carelesslv spoken though they were. that
deepened the undoined suspicious in the
youag girls healt and f,llowing her sugges
tons she placed the stand Of fow. IS directly
in front Of the cpsn window Then, bv a
close examination Of the bouquet designed
for the King, she detected the presence Of q
fine, white powder. so impalpabla as TO be
! impercsptibls TO the eve upon ths white Do.
tails Of the rose, bnt clearly visible upcr .hs