The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-04-27
THE LATE JOHN BROWN.
How the Man Who Once Downed Him in
the presence Of the Queen Lost Favor
at court

A London letter says: Nothing
more curlously marked the exceptions.
al character of Browns position than
the title mr." accorded to him In
his lifetime AZ now in the court record
of his death. He was first Il gillie,
then Il footman, then personal ser.
want, and it is not usual IN this cOui,.
try to address persons I'm that rank Of
life with quite 50 much ceremony.
Many worthy people were puzzled to
know why II man who rode in the
dlckey and held an umbrella, aud
stood behind the queens chair at din
ner and passed the plates, should he
thus distinguished. 1t is enough to
answer that tive queen so willed it.
To others than the queen John Brown
WAS not always an acceptable person.
age gave himself airs, said many.
In these days il Is enough for man
to die To lie at once endowed with |
every virtue and charm, and no Eng
lish voice is raised to mar the beautl.
ful harmony of the panegyIics upon IL
man whom the queen liked. But
while he lived it was possible to hear
queer stories. There was one of his
holding out his hand to Lord Beacons-
field on the railway platform at
lIughenden, when her majesty paid
visit to her beloved minister. Lord
BeacOnslield, they say did not seem
to notice the prOifered greeting. This
little anecdOte rests OH the reputed
authority of a lady who was present.
Here is another, which | know to
be true: 4 servants ball was given
some years since ut Balmoral, guests
and members Of the royal household,
us the custom is Oh such occasions,
taking part. Among the dances was
some sort of competitive Highland
reel wherein the object of each per.
former is to dance down all the rest;
to which end it is permitted to any
one to disconcert and even totally up
set rival by.an adroit twist of the
hip, the elbow perhaps assisting.
Now John Brown Was a proficient in
this sport, and it was his wont to car
ry off the palm and Outlast I'LL adver-
saries, to the great cOntentment of
the queen, who looked on. But there
CHANGED upon this occasion to be pres
ent ii certain gentleman skillful ut
this dancing business. and cunning
witlial. lie, watching his chance
when AL but himself and faithful
John Brown had quilted Or been
driven from the floor, by a sudden but
quite lawful stratagem overthrow the
queens favorite. who fell at her feet
and SD was baked of the distinction
: of victory Oh which he and his sover.
eign alike had set their hearts. The
victor paid dearly for his Triumph.
DtloIt tIllS llltlc inclueHC lie iltttl
been high in the favor OF his royal
mistress; used To be sent for of an
: evening to the royal apartment, where
talk and music were to be had, and
, enjoyed the marks of the queens es
TEEN. But after he had thus pre-
| sumed to vanqnish her majesty
chosen personal attendant, this I'M
r happy gentleman languiShed in the
outer courts of'the palace, and not
for more than two years afterward
, was he fully restored to favor. Other
stories of Il not less Illustrative char
, acter l might also tell, but perhaps
r this is us much rs you are likely t.
, care for about the worthy Brown
Lett Il snug sum of money behind
: him, say those likely to know, and
G there are tradespeOple "by special
, appointment to her majesty" who
e will regret the disappearance of hel
: majesty's specially appointed servant