Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-28
MISCELLANY.
THE POISONED FLOWERS.
xTSCTDENF OF THE REIGN OF ONE OF
THE EARLY KINGS OF FRANCE.

There are various traditions as to the
origin of the golden lily upon the shield
of France. Among these is the fol
lowing incident, said to have occurred
in the latter part OF the eleventh cen.
fury, during the reign of Philip Au-
gustus:
This Prince was only fifteen when he
assembled the throne, but the strong
hand with which he seized the reigns OF
government, awning the turbulent mobiles
and protecting the common people
against their aggressiOns soon convinced
them that he was not to be despised fol
his youth. Though by this course hs
greatly endeared himself to the mass o.
his subjects, his life was more than once
threatened, and even attempted; but
these plots invariably originated among
the naughty mobiles, who were FESTIVE
under the Kings strong arm and lust
and kindly heart.
In the summer of the seventh year oil
his reign, weary of the cares of state,
Philip retired with his court to his royal
residence at Chaumont, which was a
favOrite resort to him. Among his train
vas Godfrey, Count de Nevilles, the
natural son of Lonis VII, and there
fore the Kings half brother. He was q
solid, inOffensiye man, apparently well
cOntented with the title and estate con-
ferred by tine late King upon his moth
er, and which he had inherited at her
death, but, unfortunately, he married a
naughty, ambitious woman, who was
1l-inclined to fOrego her claims to roy
atty. At the death of Louis, she open
~ 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 Sest the crown
of Franc e-he being the elder born and
urged her husband to assert his claims.
But this the Count refused to do; being
ilI-titted by nature to act part reduir.
ing more than usual energy and ability,
besides entertaining too strong an affec-
ton for the young King, who had treat
ed him with marked kindness, to seek
to deprive him of his rightful inner
itance.
If Philip heard of the pretensions
which the Countess set forth, he mani
tested no outward token of displeasure
or dlstrust; on the contrary, he gave
his brother many evidences of his con-
fidence and regard, appointing him to
certain honorary offices near his per-
son, though he took care that they
were such as conferred little power.
This was a new source of grievance
to the naughty Countess, who. reIin.
gushing the idea of becoming Queen,
had fondly imagined that on account OF
Philips youth, his brother would OBJ
tain such a strong ascendency over
nd L.,
reality If not In name. This disap-
polntment was felt with increased bit
terness when she became the mother of
a son, In whom she conferred 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 Coun-
tess de Nevilles often took long rides
on horseback before the dew was off
the grass, unattended, save by her
groom, who kept 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 a perfect
wilderness of bloom. AS an involun-
tary ejaculation of surprise and admira-
ton escaped her lips, a pretty, intelli-
gent looking girl raised her bright eyes
from the rose bush she was pruning.
81 have some much handsomer with
In, arranged in bouquets" she said
smiling, IF madame would like to ex-
anime 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 mis-
tress to be guilty of so mnch condescen-
sion before.
As the Countess entered the little,
low room, the pretty flower girl dis
played her beautiful collection of bou-
quets with pardonable pride.
''All or any of them are at your SER
vice, with the exception of this" she
said, pointing to one composed of gold
en- lilies and white roses, relieved by q
few leaves of green; this is for the
King"
so King Philip buys thy flowers.
pretty maiden?"
''Yes, madame: / have orders to
bring them to the palace daily. The
golden lily is his favorite flower, and
there are only these IN bloom to-day.
'I will take this" said the Countess
selecting one of the. bouquets, and taking
from her purse golden piece of more
than double its value, "but first bring
me cool draught from the spring, yon-
der"
With light step the young girl took
pitcher and passed out to the well that
was but a few feet from the door Al
she passed the window she glanced in,
and saw to her surprise her visitor bend
ing over the stand of flowers, and APP
parently 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 small golden
flask, such as the ladies of that period
used for their cosmetics and perfumery.
But when she entered the room she
found her in the same position she had