Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-11-12
EMPRESS CHARLOTTE.
The Daily Life OF Maximilian's Unfortu.
nate Widow.

EMPRESS CHARLOTTE.
The Daily Life OF Maximiliau's Unfortu.
nate Widow.
A few miles from Lacken, the favor;te
residence of the King of the Belgians,
stands the old Gothic castle of Bouchout,
at present the residence of the widow
of the Emperor Maximiiian. Not long
ago rumors were current that the En-.
press of Mexico had regained her rea.
son. which she lost at the death of the
unfortunate Emperor. These reports
were untrue.
More than eighteen years ago, when
the Empress had first lost her reason,
a semblance of court life was carefully
kept up around her Receptions were
regularly he'd, such as in former days
frightened life at the old palace of
Iturbide, in Mexico, and the respectful
homage which was accorded to the poor
Empress was perhaps more genuine
than in her days of greatest splendor.
The Empress herself went through the
ceremonies with the same grace as of
old, and after certain number of peo-
pie had gathered around her she would
thank them for coming to see the great
Empress of Mexico, and then, rising
from her stimulated throne, move to-
ward the adjoining rooms, saying:
IS You wish, no doubt, to lay your trib-
ute at the feet OF his Majesty the En-
peror; will &C and find him.
Returning after few minutes, she
would say: 81 can not find the En-.
peror, but he will see you as soon as ne
returns" With this she recommended
an animated conversation on the present
situation and the brilliant future pros
poets of the Emperor, and, taking up
his portrait. she cXhorted him to rise
higher and higher still. and not to strive
for one, but for ten, twenty. nay, for
all the crowns of the world. The
courtiers. moved to tears by the pa
thetic scene, would bow low and take
their departure, unperceived by the ex-
cited Empress, who, after while,
would majestically sweep through the
rooms, haughtily commanding imagi-
nary pages to carry her trail. But the
proud, hard look melted into sweetness
and tenderness when on her daily walk
through the grounds at Tervuercn,
where Empress Charlotte was then re-
siding. her eyes followed the flight of
birds or clouds
After the contlagration of Tervueren
the Empress has in the course of time
become less excited. Some years ago
it was one of her fancies to order o
large number of elegant costumes. each
of which required some thirty yards of
material, having to be made Mexico
fashion, with innumerable plaits. But
when the sumptuOus costumes were
spread out before her, she turned her
back disdainfully on the drcssmaker,
murmuring: Il will not have them;
they are not good enough for the great
Empress of Mexico" Fortunately. the
rejected costumes were bought up by
the ladies of Brussels. often as pre-
cious souvenir of the unhappy sovereign.
Now all violence has ceased; receptions
are no longer held, and the court circle
consists only of the ladies of honor, be-
longing to the Belgian aristocracy.
eight of whom in turn reside for week
at Bouchout.
Several hours are spent every day at
the piano. and rs Em ;ress Charlotte is
herself distinguished artistic. these
musical entertainments are highly ap-
preciated by all. Fancy work is also
one of the favor.te occupations of the
Empress, and her cmbroideries are said
to equal those Of the best Paris work
ars. While listening to the music, or
busy with her needle, the Empress
never utters 2 single word. but seems
lost in thought. and it is very rarely
that during her daily walks she breaks
the silence. Sad and sorrowfu. the
once ambitious Empress of Mexico
spends her monotonous days in the
quiet castle, and the veil appears to be
lifted only when on Sundays. during
divine service, which she regularly al
tends. the voice of the organ is heard
through the chapel Then her soul
seems TRANSPORTED, and a strange smile
lights up the features of one of the most
unfortunate women Of our century
Pail Malt Gazette.