Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-08
BLUE CORNFLOWER.''
WY TEE OLD GERMAN EMPEROR
LOVED IT.
~. an. D,spa,ch--Adapfod from the German OF
sf"' WV Frederick Won Aohenhausenl

rrnr TIA Dispatch--Adapfcd from the herman OF
Frederick Won Aohenhausenl
Bipcning grain undulated in the sun
sh;ne like a golden sea, aud floating
nron its glittering waves blue blossoms
~Sich seemed in their color-splendor
Ike bits OF Heaven fresh fallen TO tho
earth.
In the well.nigh forgotten lore OF the.
UoDder.world this blue flower was re-
caried as a mystic symbol OF the fineSt
Emotions of the human heart, as the en-
bodiment OF the ideals OF poetry and
luck -boding.
Rich and poor, knight and poet, sought
n in vain. but il has since been found,
and we know that it was the eye glad
dening, heart consoling, dearly-loved
flower OF emperor William.
The conservation of n childhood's
memory rests for him upon this flower
of the fields, for in the first decade OF
his life it thus became dear TO him:
In the unfortunate summer OF 1917
The Queen Louisa was forced 70 fly from
Tilsitt to Memel. The travelling car
riages were gotten ready in great haste
and were not in the best condition. The
three Youngest children travelled ahead
with their governess and the high stew
srdess of the court, Countess Noss The
Queen took her place with her two
Oldest sone-the twelve-year-old Crown
Prince Frederick William and the ten
year-old Prince Willam-in a coach
which proved entirely inadequate to
support their weight and that of their
baggage.
After q slow and difficult journey a
wheel suddenly broke and the royal pas
sengers found themselves helpless upon
n solitary road. The coachman I'M
hitched the horses, and, mounting one Of
them, rode to q neighboring village IN
search OF a blacksmith. Tie soon sue
ceeded, and the smith, with his fellow
workman, hammered away with skill
and diligence upon the dilapldated
coach. Many wondering glances, though
full of reverence. darted from the clear,
friendly eyesin those sooty countenances
toward the beautiful lady.
The Queen had patiently seated her
self meath the shade Of q group of trees
which stood at the edge OF an extensive
wheatfield near by. With childish de-
light the two little princes seized the
blue flowers which blossOmed there III
enticing beauty. They showered them
upon their mothers lap, and begged her
TO Irvine them into Wreaths for them.
With cheerful readiness she fulfilled their
request, apparently frightened by this
loye-task. Once again, after Il long time.
her noble, griefstricken features as
sumed an expression Of gladsomeness.
The Crown Prince, who was OF pre-
eocious mind. and always watched her
with loving anxiety, saw, without envy,
that she placed the first wreath upon the
brow of the younger brother, who nes-
tied at her knee. lie looked lovely be-
meath his crown of blossoms-like lit
tie angel of consolation. His mother
Kissed him tenderly and experienced all
the bliss OF mothers pride.
Oh that she could have foreseen that
this son should one day lead her beloved
Germany TO brilliant victories and that
her deep humiliation should be ont
weighed by the highest honors What
a precious balm would have been this
provision to the painful wounds OF the
royal sufferer.
Sitting peacefully at the border of the
ripeninq fields among the flowers with
her beloved children, she for the mo-
ment forgot the pangs which the merci-
less Corsican bad SO recently inflicted
upon her. Upon his invitation, or rather
81 his command, she had come to Illsltt
10 receive as favor visit OF the con
Queror. The Queen dwelt while at
1ilsitt in two poorly-furnished rooms IN
the same citizens house IN which her
husband lived. The despot must
ascend a dark, narrow stairway to pay
the promised visit. According to his own
confession Napoleon dreaded this visit,
because Alexander /. who WAS Mt that
time his good friend and was a great
connoisseUr of beauty had told him so
much Of the bewitching charms of the
Queen that he feared lie would not be
able 10 resist her. lie was evidently III
q great state OF agitation, and he GER
tainly felt desire to crafty his tyran-
meal pride by humiliaiing the conquered.
lie still possessed sufficient youthful
nanliness to conduct himself cOurteously
toward a beautiful woman. He had
even made an elaborate toilet. and
mounting his Arabian steed with
coquettish attempt at craftsmanship he
palloped up to the house and halted Just
under the window of the expectant Queen.
che mad seen him coming and was wit
ness Of the enthusiastic reception by his
brilliant suite Of generals. Several great
dienitaries even FASTENED 10 hold his
stirrups for him TO dismount. The I'M
perial parvenue saluted them with his
elegant horsewhip. He took of his bat
and stumbled noisily. up the humble
stairway.
The Queen fastened to meet him, say
ing "Sire, l regret exceedingly that
YOU have the trouble Of ascending those
awkward steps"
lowing gracefully he replied: "Ma-
dame, to reach such an aim L disregard
hll obstacles"
ITO one 80 favored 10y fortune as
yourself, sire, there are no obstacles.
Your Majesty should have thought
OF that before declaring war against me,
said Napoleon, interrupting the fright
ened Queen.
Whereupon she answered in these
memorable words: ave were resting
upon the lsurels of the great Frederick.
His glory deceived us as TO our power.
Then with genial eloquence and touch
ing entreaty she appealed TO the elemen-
CIV of the conquerOr in behalf of Prus-
sis, especiallXwith a view OF regaining
her beloved bgdeburg. Here occurred
the historic scene Of the rose. which she
declined to accept without Magdeburg.
Napoleon plucked rose from bush
in one of the low windows As she did
not receive ii because it did not typify
the restoration of Magdeburg, he said in
rough tone: Madame. you forget
that you cannot dictate terms TO me.
After this afiront she was forced TO re-
main two days longer at Tilsitt Napo-
leon gave grand banquet in her honor
at which she sat between him and Alex
ander ]. The two Emperors wed with
each other in lavishing attentions upon
her, but she doubted their sincerity, and
III - hnln feeling with min the