East Saginaw courier., 1866-06-13
THE POISONED FLOWER.
An Incident in the Life Of one Of the
N Early Kings OF France.

An Incident in tho Life Of one of the
Early Kings OF France.
i flrAf -
There are various traditions as to
the origin Of the Golden Lilly upon
the shield Of France. Among these
is the following incident, said to
have occurred in the latter part OF
the eleventh century, during the
reign Of Philip Augustus
The Prince was only fifteen when
he assembled the throne; but the
strong hand with which he seized the
reins of the Government, awing the
turbnlant nohles, and protecting the
common people against their aggres-
sions, soon convinced them that he
was not to be despised for. his youth.
'a Though by this course he gradually
endeared himself TO the mass Of his
subjects, his life was more than once
and even attempted; but
these plots invariably originated
among the naughty mobiles, who
were restiye under the restraints i'm
posed upon them by the Kings strong
arm, and his just and kindly heart.
In the summer oi the eleventh
year of his reign, weary of the cares
of state, Philip retired with his court
to his royal residence at Chaumort,
which was a favorito resort to him..
Among his train was GeoiIrey,
Count d. NeylllC, the nututel sou vi
Louis VII, the Kings half-brother.
He was a mild and inoifensive man,
apparently well contented with the
title and estate conferred by the hate
King upon his mother, and which he
had Inherited upon her death, but
unfortunately lie married naughty,
ambitious woman who was but lily
inclined to forego her claims IL
royalty. .eI, 'lr
AT the death Of Louis, she openly
asserted that there had been secret
narriage between him and the late
Countess de Neville, and upon the
head of her son should rest the crown
Of France, he being tho eldest born,
and urged her husband to assert his
claims. But this the Count refused
to do, being ill-Gtted by nature to act
"a part requiring more than usual
energy and ability, besides entertain
ing too strong an affection for the
young King, who had treated him
with unusual kindness. to seek to do
prive him Of his rightful inheritance.
If Philip heard of the pretensions
which the Countess set forth, he mani
tested no outward token of displeasure
or distrust. On the contrary, he gave
his brother many evidences Of re-
gard, appointing. him to honorary Of
fees near his person, although he
took care that they were such tina,
they conferred but little power.
This was new source of grievance
to the naughty Countess, who never
relinquished the idea of becoming a
Queen, and had fondly imagined that,
on account Of Philips youth, his
brother would obtain such an ascen-
dency 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 son, in whom
she centered all her ambitious hopes,
and all the love she was capable OF
feeling for ono. ~
Unlike our modern fine ladies, the
danes Of high degree Of that remote
period were early risers and the
Countess do Neville often took long
rides on horseback before the dew
was off the grass, unattended, except
by her groom, who kept at a respect
full distance, just near enough to be
within call, should his lady require
assistance. a,f 8,.lgg
One morning, she paused in front
Of little cottage, situated in per-
feet wilderness of bloom. AS an in
voluntary ejaculation Of surprise and
admiration escaped her lips, a pretty,
intelligent looking girl raised her
bright eyes from the rose-bush she
was pruning. 10 ~
81 have some handsomer within,
arranged in boquets,'' she said, snil-
ing, '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
mistress to be guilty of SO much con.
descension before.
AS the Countess entered the little,
low room, the pretty fower-girl dis
played her beautiful collection of bou-
quets with pardonable pride.
"All or any of them are at youi
service, with the exception of this, y
she said, pointing to one composed Of
golden lilies and white roses, and re-
lieved by few leaves Of greenj I'll
lis for the King"