Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-02-17
THE POISONED POWER.
An Incident In the life Of Ono Of the
Early Kings Of France.


J.. ..a 4 r.. ....H. ....
There are various traditions as to the ORR
gin of the Golden Lily upon the shield OF
France. Among these Is the following In
cident, 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 as
cended the throne; but the strong hand
with which he seized the reigns Of Govern
ment, awing the turbulent mobiles, and pro-
tecting the common people against their
aggressions-soon convinced them that he
was not to be despised for his youth.
Though by this course he greatly en-
deared himself to the mass of his subjects,
his life was more than once threatened, and
even attempted; but these plots invariably
originated among the haugty mobiles. who
were restive under restraints imposed up
on them by the kings strong arm, and his
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 faVorite resort
| to him ..... ..
Among his train was Jeoffrey, Count de
Neville, the natural son Of Louis VII, the
| kings half-brother. He was mild and
| inoffensive man, apparently well contented
with the title and estate conferred by the
| late king upon his mother, and which he
had inherited upon her death, but, uniortu-
nately, he married naughty, ambitious
woman, who was bat illy-inclined TO fore
go her claims TO royalty.
At the death of Louis, she openly assert
ed that there had been a secret marriage
between him and the late Countess de Ne
| Vile, and upon the head of her son should
| Tho orou,n ~ Eranaa ha hQinO the pld-
er born, urged her husband to assert his
claims. But this the Count refused to do,
being ill-fitted by nature to act part re-
quiring more than usual energy and abil-
| ity, besides entertaining too strong an affec-
tiOn for the young king, who had treated
| him with unusual kindness, to seek to de-
prive him of his rightful Inheritance.
If Philip heard of the pretensions which
the Countess set forth, he manifested no
outward token OF displeasure or distrust.
On the contrary, he gave his brother many
evidences of regard, appointing him to hon
orary offices near his person, although he
took care that they were such that they
conferred but very little power.
This was a new source OF grievance 70
the naughty Countess, who never relin-
quished the idea of becoming a Queen, and
had fondly imagined that, on account OF
Philips youth, his brother would obtain
such a strong ascendency over his mind, as
would make him King In reality, If not In
name.
This disappointment was felt with in
creased bitterness when she became the
mother of q son, in whom she centered all
her ambitious hopes, and all the love she
was capable of feeling for any one.
Unlike our modern fine ladies, the danes
of high degree ofthat remote period. were
early risers; and the Countess de Neville
often took long rides on horseback before
the dew was off the grass, unattended, ex-
cept by her groom, who kept at respect
full distance, just near enough to be with
in call, should his lady require assistance.
One morning, she paused in front of a
little cottage, situated in a perfect wilder
ness of bloom. AS an involuntary ejacu-
lation of surprise and admiration escaped
her lips, pretty intelligent looking girl
raised her bright eyes from the rosebush
she was pruning.
~ have some handsomer within. arrang-
ed In bouquets" she said smiling, ''if madam
would like to examine them"
Throwing the reigns 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 o.
so much condescension before.
AS the Countess entered the little, low
room. the pretty flower girl displayed heI
beautiful collection of bouquets with par
donable pride.
"All or any of them are at your service,
with the exception of this, she said, point
ing to one composed Of golden lilies and
white roses, and relieved by few leaves Of
green; "it is for the King"
$50 King Philip buys thy flowers, pretty
maiden ?" D ,l -. s
ayes, madame; / have orders to bring
, them to the palace daily. The golden lily
is-his favorite flower; and there are only
] those in bloom to-day"
1 al will take this" said the Countess, Sc
lecting one of the bouquets, and taking from
her purse gold piece Of more than double
/, the valce, "but first bring me cool drauRhi
of water from the spring yonder." q
With light step the young girl took
pitcher and passed out TO the spring thai
was but short distance from the door. Al
she glided by the window on returning
a she glanced in and saw, much to her sur
: prise, her visitor bending over the stand o
iiowers, and apparently sprinkllng some
thing from her hand upon those she hat
laid aside for the King. When she took ]
away, her eye caught CLEAN Of a smal
golden flash, such rs the ladies of that peri
|. Cd used for their cosmetics and perfumery
' But when she entered the room, she fOun'
her in the same position In which she hat
/ left her. o ssisaLsa9 oil ta,,i3ir..a5f5.s M
She could not forbear an exclamation Q
surprise as she observed how deadly pal
was her countenAnce. -. ~ s,tl
i usTis but the Odor Of the flowers" sail
:. the Countess, as drawing her robes aronni
3 hershe turned TO the door. ..a
4 stake my advice, my good girl; plac
the stand nearer the window, and be no
e much over them; their perfume is quit
y too strong for so small arOom."
|. There was something about these w0rdI
fcarelessly spoken though they were, stha
deepened the underlined suspiclons IN th
young girls heart; and, following her sus
lq-ll lc liW -l ia9i1lllt t33 lg1g.1i ei. 1el tnQn