The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-06-09
The Poisoned FLOWERS.
AN INCIDENT IN THE REIGN OF ONE OF TIL
EARLY KINGS OF FRANCE

EARLY KINGS OF FRANCE.
I There are various traditions as to the
e origin of the Golden Lilly upon the shield
of France. Among these is the following
incident, said to have occurred in the lat:
ter part of the eleventh century, during
the reign of Philip Augustus.
This Prince was only fifteen when he
ascended the throne, but the strong hand
with which he seized the reins of govern.
ment, awing the turbulent mobiles and pro.
tectlng the common people against their
aggggresslons, soon convinced them that he
was not to be despised for his youth
though by this course he greatly endeared
himself to the mass of his subjects, his
lite was more than once threatened, and
even attempted but these plots invaria-
bly, originated among the naughty mobiles,
who were restive under the restraints i'm.
posed 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 retired with his court to his royal
residence at Chaumont, which was favo-
rite resort to him. Among his train was
Geotfrey, Count de Nevilles, the natural
son of Louis VII, and therefore the kings
halt-brother lie was a mild, inofAnsive
man, apparently well contented with the
title and estate conferred by the late king
upon his mother, and which he had inher-
tied at her death, but unfortunately he
married naughty, ambitious woman,
who was ill-inclined to forego her claims
to royalty. AT the death of Louis, she
openly asserted that there had been Sc
cret 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 her husband to assert his claims.
But this the Count refused to do, being
lll-titted by nature to act part requiring
more than usual energy and ability, be-
sides entertaining too strong an affection
for the young king, who had treated him
with marked kindness, to seek to deprive
him of his rightful Inheritance.
If Philip heard of the pretensions that
the Countess set forth, he manifested no
outward token of displeasure or distrust S.;
on the contrary, he gave his brother many
evidence of his confidence and regard. ap-
pointing him to certain honorary offices
near his person, though he took care that
they were such as conferred little power.
lhls was 4 new source of grievance to the
naughty Countess, who, relinquishing the
idea OF becoming queen, had fondly i'm
a@lned that on account of Philips youth,
his brother would obtain such strong as
tendency over his mind as would make
him king in reality, if not in name This
disappointment was felt with increased
bitterness when she became the mother of
a son, in whom ccntercd all her ambitious
hopes, and all the love she was capable of
feeling for any one.
Unlike our modern fine ladies, the
"dames of high degree of that remote
period were early riserS, and the Countess
de Nevilles often took long rides on horse,
back before the dew was off the grass, un-
attended, save by her groom, who kept at
a respectful distance, 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 wilder
ness of bloom. AS an involuntary eiacu-
lation of surprise and admiration escaped
her lips, pretty, intelligent looking girl
raised her bright eyes from the rosebuSl
she was pruning.
q have some much handsomer with
in, arranged in bouquets" she said, smil
ING, elf madame would like to examine
them"
Throwing the reins of her horse to hel
attendant, the Countess alighted, much t(
l the surprise of the servitor, who had nev.
er known his naughty mistress to be guilty
of SO much condescension before
AS the Countess entered the little. low
room, the pretty hower-girl displayed he
beautiful collection of bouquets with par
: donable pride.
''All Or any Of them are at your ser
: vice, with the exception of this she said
pointing to one composed Of golden lille
and white roses, relieved by few leave
Of green; "this is for the King"
$50 King Philip buys thy flowers
pretty maiden %
"Yes, madame, have orders to brin!
them to the palace daily. The colder
lilly is his favorite flower, and there ar
only these in bloom to-day.''
81 will take this" said the Countess
selecting one of the bouquets, and takin
from her purse gold piece of more thai
ordinary value. "But first bring me
cool draught from the spring yonder.'
With light step the young girl took
pitcher and passed out to the spring tha
h was but few feet from the door. AS sh
: passed the window, on returning, sh
glanced in, and saw to her surprise he
e e visitor bending over the stand of flowers
IL and apparently shaking something tror
her hand upon those she had laid aside 70
: the king. When she took it away he
+ eye caught the CLEAN of a small golde
n flask, such as the ladies of that perio
r used for their cosmetics and perfumery
d But when she entered the room she foun
It her in the same position in which she ha
'f left her She could not forbear an excls
l. nation of surprise as she observed no,
deathly pale was her countenance
II "'Tis but the odOr of the flowers sal
" the Countess, as drawing her robes aroun