Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-11-12
EMrREss oHARLoIIE.
ahe Dany Life os MaxImiiian's Unfortu-
nate widow.


nate widow.
A few miles from Lacken, the favorite
residenco'of the King Of the Belgians,
stands tho old Gothic castle Of Bouchout
at present the residence Of the widow
Of the Emperor Maximilian. Not long
ago rumors were current that the EN-
press Of Mexico had regained her rea-
son, which sho 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,
q semblance of court life was carefully
kept up around her. Receptions were
regularly held, such rs 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 10 see the great
Empress of Mexico, and then, rising
from her stimulated throne. move to-
ward the adjoining rooms, saying:
You wish, mo doubt, to lay your trib-
ute at the feet of his Majesty the EN-
peror; l will 60 and find him"
Returning after few minutes, she
would say; III can not find tho Em-
peror, but he will see you as soon as he
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 oxhorted 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 ipagi-
nary pages to carry her trail But tho
proud, hard look melted into sweetness
and tenderness when on her daily walk
through the grounds at Tervueren,
where Empress Charlotte was then re-
siding. her eyes followed the light Of
birds or clouds.
After the conhagration Of Tervueren
the little court moved to Bouchout, and
the Empress has In the course of time
become less excited. Some years ago
IL was one of her fancies to orcar a
large number of elegant costumes, zach
of which required some thirty Sur Is Of
material, having 10 be made II xico
fashion, with innumerable plaits. But
| ttghnn tho
spread out before her, she turned her
back disdainfully on the dressmake-.
murmurng: 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 a pre-
cous 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 as Empress Charlotte is
herself a distinguished artistic. these
| musical entertainments are highly ap-
preciated by all. Fancy work is also
one Of the favorite occupations of the
Empress, and her embroidories are said
TO equal those Of the best Paris work
ers. While listening to the music, or
busy with her needle, the Empress
never utters a single word, but seems
lost in thought and 1t Is very rarely
that during her daily walks she breaks
the silence. Sad and sorrowful, the
once ambitious Empress of Mexico
spends her monotonous days in the
| quiet castle, and the veil appears 10 be
lifted only when on Sundays, during
divine service, which she regularly at.
tends, the voice of the organ is heard
through the chapel Then her soul
seems transfgured, and a strange smile
| lights up the features OF one Of the most
unfortunate women Of our century,
] Pail Mall Gazeffe