The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-24

in Madrid.
When he was presented to the Queen by
the polished, cultivated, and able Minister,
Pierre Soule, the tall military figure OF the
soldier evidently struck her Majesty. ]hat
same day Colonel Sumner received throush
the legation an invitation to one OF the
Queens entertainments or suppers in the
palace gardens.
at is a great compliment paid you, Col.
Sumner" remarked Soule.
% At what hour precisely am to go?"
asked the military bearer Of dispatches.
"Go!" cried Soue, "you will not sure.
" go; you must decline on the ground OF
severe indisposition."
"And why 7"
"My dear friend, you do not understand
this Jealous and treacherous people. Were
YOU TO accept this invitation you would be
assassinated either in going or returning,
or before you could leave Madrid"
"a Queens wishes are soldiers COM
mands," responded the gallant Colonel.
"Whcn pretty woman invites me to On
entertainment, 1 will take my chances"
And so the rcsolute fighter tucked his
sword under his arm and left. He appear
ed next morning at the American Ministers
residence in good health and spirits and
Mr.. Soue must have strangely misappre.
hended the Spanish peoples jealous and
treacherous spirit, for Colonel Sumner came
safely to faliS on his return from his great
Diplomatic mission.
Touching these entertainments In the
gardens of the palace ut Madrid. Senor
CaldcrOn de Ia Barca, who was so long q
resident of Washington as Spanish Minis.
ter, told me in Paris, where he appeared
with a cotton umbrella and carpet-sack, an
exile driven from the office Of Minister ol
Foreign Affairs and his home by mob that
| rose to the dignity Of revolution, because
instigated by the Queen, that the govern.
ment of his gracious sovereign Isabella was
about as open and shameless in it's dissipa.
tion and corruption as if it had belonged to
former age, when royalty had the divine
j right to be wicked.
On one occasion q great scandal was
caused by report spread over the city that
at one OF the little suppers in the gardens q
Spanish grandee, who had inherited with
his title more adipose than intellect, had
been thrown naked into q fish-pond by his
drunken companions. The Minister OF
Foreign Affairs thought it his duty to re-
monslrate with the Queen; so, asking an
interview, be. told his story, und added
his moral reflections,
1t is lasehood," cried the Queen, in
some excitement; " it is low, malicious
1aiSe0OOQ. he WIS IlOG uukeu. saw II
all he had his shirt on -~.. .. ..
Colonel Sumner was anxious to be pre-.
sented at the Imperial Court, and, after the
proper application, the honor was accorded
him, through our Minister, the Hon. John
Y. Mason, also to Col. D. 4. McCrea, then
our Consul at Paris. The day selected was
Sunday, the one ordinarily given to such
ceremonies by the court. It was beauti-
full morning, with sunlight softened
from The slare we suffer by the moist atmos-
phere through which it shines IN Paris.
CoIouel sumner had his apartment directly
above those we then occupied in the Rue de
Rivoii, and for hours after breakfast could
hear his heavy tread while busted in the
important preparations for the grand cere-
mony. The preparations were so prolonged
that at last ! assembled on tour OF inquiry.
AS | approached, through the half-oDen
door | heard the Colonel addressing Made.
leine, our Gonne-a very pretty grl, by-the-
by-who had learned just one English
phrase, and that was "Iees, SIR"
''Well my good girl" heard Sumner
ask in his bass voice, "can you speak Eng
lish!"
"Yees, sir"
VERY good now will you have my boots
polished%
"H est done drole, ee monsieur la arsc Sc,
6ottes," responded Madeline, soliloquiSing.
"Eh what, can't you speak Engllsh!"
"Yees, sir"
"Well. say black my boots"
''Il pdrle FrdncdlS CONNIE une cache Es-
she continued.
| saw that it was another case of "lind
me the loan OF y'r gridiron," and so went
to the rescue Of my friend. His appearance
started me. His uniform, none
OF the newest, had not been in its best days
more pictm eSque and becoming than
American uniforms were. Certain stains
upon the coat might be Indian blood, and
might be tobacco. But to cap all, on his
soldierly head was the hat, the result of
jeff. Davis anxious inquiries as to how best
to reform our army. l said nothing, but
assisted the Colonel in putting the finishing
touches to his toilet, all the while enjoying
the anticipated pleasure Of witnessing the
shock evinced when my rotund and good |
natured chief, the Hon. John Y, came to !
carriage ratified to the door, and the Min |
ster, accompanied by the Hon. D. Z. Nc !
Crea, assembled to our little drawing.room.
So soon US old Firginia's specimen OF diplo- |
matte adipose could get breath tor the pur. |
pose it attacked Sumner:
" say, sumner, what's that?"
"That? Why that's our soldiers hat. |
Pm going to show it to the Emperor"
" You're not going to wear it5"
"Well, I'u be -! won't 20 we'll !
get put out by the servants. We couldn't |!
get in. Why the devil don't you send it to
he Minister of War? He will show it to |
he Emperor"
Now, Colonel Sumner had two objects in !!
1iew in soliciting this presentation, as he
rhc IN mr. in in
ured tone. He wished to exhibit this hat
o the Emperor, and himself to the En-
press. But the Minister was master of the
situation. His wishes could not be ignored. !
"Confound it," said the Colonel, in |
ulky tone, "I've got no other"
Well, buy one," said Judge Mason; |
md Madeleine was dispatched for that !
purpose to the street, and soon returned !
With an elegant French chapeau with the |
French coIors. Sumner swore that he ,
would not sail under false colors.
Well, then, pluck the feathers OUT" !
rowled the Minister, "and let's 60, for
ines up."
"Now," said the Minister, while rolling
long towards the palace, "Sumner, when /
ou are presented to the Empress be care
ul to say nothing to her abont Cuba.
'he's an ill-tempered woman, and won't !
tand much, can tell you."
Sumner was busy pulling out the obnox- J
Gus feathers, and did not seem to hear the
dmonition. Judge Mason repeated it, and
eceiyed no response. Wishing to impress
his important advice upon his friends
mind, he repeated it again, when Sumner
ngrily exclaimed:
"Do you think am fool, Judge Ma.
onp know what to talk about"