Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-06-13
THE POISONED FLOWER.
AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF ONE OF
TIE EARLY KINGS OF FRANCE.

1 AN lNClDENI I'm LII u Llft Oc ONC VI
TIE EARLY KINGS OF FRANCE.
There are various traditions as to the ori
gin OF the Golden Lily upon the shield o
France. Among t. ese is the following in
| cident, said to have occurred in the latter par
of the eleventh century, during the reign o
Philip Augustus.
The Prince was only fifteen when he ascen
ded the throne; but the strong hand will
which he seized the ems Of the Government
awing the turbulent mobiles, and protecting
the common people against their aggressions
soon convinced them that he was not to-bt
despised for his youth.
Though By this course he greatly endeared
himself to the mass Of his subjects, his lift
was more ;ban once threatened, and even at
emptcd; but these plots sinvariably riginatee
among tic naughty mobiles. whu were restive
| under the restraints imposed upon them by
the Kings strong arm, and his just and kind
! ly heart.
In tie snmlner OF the eleventh year Of his
reign, weaIy OF the cares of state, PHILIP re-
| lired with lis court TO bis royi.l residence al
Chaumout, which was a favorite resort te
him.
Among his train was Geof;ey, Count de
Neville, tie natural son Of Louis VII, the
| Kings half brother. He was mid and in
offensive man, apparently well eontented with
the tile and estate conferred ty tie late King
upcn lis mother, and which he had Inherited
unon her ueartl. but 1nf0rIunan'ly lie -I,iarfist
4 naughty, ambitious woman who was hli
lly inclined 10 folego her claims 10 royalty.
At the death of Louis, she openly asserted
that there had been secret maFrln2e between
him and the lale Coaatess de Neville, and
rpon tue cad Of her son shGu'd rest the
crown Of France, he being the eldest born,
| and urged her husband to assert his claims
But this tie Cornt refused ODD, being i'll lit
ted by nature 10 act part requiring more
| than usual energy and ability, besides enter
tanning TOO strong an affection tur tue young
King, who had treated him witi UNUSUAL kind
ness, to seek to deprive him Oh his righl'ni IN
heritance.
If Philip heard of the pretcnsions whch
the Countess sci forth, lie manifested no out
ward token Of displeasure OR distruSt. On
The contrary, he gave bis brother many cvl-
dences of regard, appointing him to honorary
Offices Dear his person, although! he took care
that they were such that they conferred bn'
little power.
This WAS new source Of grievance 10 fpe
naughty Countess, who never re!inquished
the idea of becoming Queen. and had fond;
ly imagined that, on account oil Philips youth
his brother would obtain such u strong ascen
; dency over his mind as would make him kina
in reality, i not in name.
This disappointment was felt with lncreas
ed bitterness when she becalae tie mother o.
g. son, in whom she centered all her ambitions
| hopes, and all the love she vas capable o
feeling for one. :.
Unlike our modern fine lad IS, the dame:
of high degree of that remote period were
early risers and the Countess de Neville OF
ten took long rides on horseback before th'
dew was off the grass, UNATTENDED, except ..
her groom, who kept-at respectful dlSta9ee
Just near enough to be within call, should h
| lady require assistance. -.
One morning, she paused in front of a lit
tie cottage, situated in perfect wilderness
bloom. AS an involuntary ejaculation OF sur
prise and admiration apea her lips, prst
ty. intelligent looking girl raised her brIgh
! ewes from the rose-bush she was pruning.
81 have some handsoner within, arrange'
in bouquets" she said, smiling, if madam
would like TO examine them
Throwing the seins of her horse to aer at
tendaut. the Countess alighted, much to tn
surprise of the servitor, who had meyer know
his naughty mistress to be guilty of so muc
condescension before.
AS the Countess entered the little, lo'
room, the pretty hower-girl displayed be
beautiful collection Of bouquets with pardon
able pride.
6 All or any of them arc st your service
with the exception of this" she said, poin:in
| 10 one composed of golden lilies and whit
roses and relieved by few leaves of green
sit is for the King"
$50 King Philip buys the flowers, prett
maiden"
eyes, madame; have orders TO brip
them to the Palace daily. The golden lily
bis favorite flower and there are ouly thos
in bloom to-day"
~ will take this" said the Countess, Sc
lecting one OF the bouquets, and taking iro,
her purse gold piece of more than doubl
the value, but first bring inc cool draugi
of water from the spring yondcr."
With light step the young girl took
pitcher and passed out 10 the spring hat WI
but a. short distance from the door. AS st
glided by the window on returning, she CLAN
ed in and saw, much to her surprise, her Wis
tor bending over the stand Of flowers, and a
c parently sprinkling something from her han
}, upon those she had laid aside for the Kim
When she took it away, her eye caught
,leam of a small golden flask, such as the Il
dies Of that period used for their cosmetic
and ferfumery. But when she entered u
room, she f6und'her in the same position
which she had left her.
She Could not forbear an exclamation
surprise as she observed how deadly pale VI
her countenance.
K "'Tis but the odor of the flowers said Il
Countess, as drawing her robes around h
she turned TO the door.
"rake my advice, my good girl place Il
,tard nearer the window and be not mu'
over them their perfume is quite too strol
for so small roop."
There was something about these wore
carelessIy spoken through they were, Ii