The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-11-01
HOW I SAW THE CROWN
PRINCESS.
BY LIZZIE p. LEWIS.


put into motion in such times oi
need, had bee1 utilized, but still the
sum to our credit in Banquier
Pts books was a meagre one
which to erect even the most modest
of churches.
What could we do next? Have a
bazar? Yes but for that we needed
influential friends and patrons, and
from that came the suggestion from
Herr A, who had generously
pledged himself to give us site for
our building. Go and see the
Crown-Princess.
The audacity of the proposal fairly
took away my breath.
But l have no right to go. | am
an American she would not re-
ceive me and what should say? |
cannot.
Yes, YOU can. You are the chap
lain's wife. She will never know
but that you are English and as to
what you are to say, ask for help for
the bazar, for letter of personal in
PRODUCTION to some member of the
royal family, anything or everything
you think you are likely to get.
If | am to ask only for what ex-
pect to get, m mission will be ended
before it is begun, | fear.
However, while thinking it over,
the spirit of adventure stirred with
in me, and | decided to risk an at
tempt. Should she refuse to receive
me, it would only be another YER
sion of the nursery couplet, "The
King of France, r"
1.-The chapain's wife, without a single man,
Went to Berlin, and then went home again"
knew that royalty was fairly well
hedged about with thus far shalt
thou go and no farther" and that
would require se4ne open sesame if
| was to gain mytend. In this di-
lemma | turned t. her Excellence
Frau Won c., a fair, kindly
woman, wife of the commandant of
the city, and one who | knew would
be able to give ME advice and aid if
any one could.
Yes, go, by all manner of means,
was her encouraging reply and | will
give you a letter to Countless Won
B. one of the ladies of the
court, and an old and intimate
friend of mine. She will arrange
things for you.
Fortified by this and another let
ter from the Oberburgermeister Of
c. to Major Won -, one OF
the aides de camp of the Crown.
Prince, took my ticket for Berlin
ore lovely June morning, and started
on what, even to my optimistic
vision, was strongly suggestive of
chase after windmills.
But | never reached Berlin, for bv
the way fell into conversation with
motherly old lady, who informed
me that she was fastening, with all
the speed her loving heart could sug-
gest, TO rescue ELSA and Karl and
Baby Katchen" from a house infect
ed with diphtheria. Confidence be-
gets confidence, and SO | informed
her of my mission, and my doubts
concerning it.
But why do you go to Berlin !?
The Princess is in Potsdam, and you
will only have the additional trouble
of returning Tomorrow.
This sounded practical, and so
when the train drew up in the Pots
dam station l left my old lady, who
sent after me a CHEEKY "Gluck auf p'
The Hotel Stadt Konigsberg shell
tered me that night. and from that
comfortable haven | started next
morning on my quest for patronage.
Had | been catechised that evening
upon the characteristics of the road
from Potsdam to the New Palace, |
should certainly have been "plough-
ed in the examination, for my first
conscious perception of places was
the great gateway of Commune, a
stately building, originally intended
for the use of the servants and guests
of the court, but now occupied by
soldiers.
Alighting from my cab. l was ac-
costed by guard, to whom | con-
fded my letter to Countess Won
B. He disappeared into the
guard-room, to reappear almost in
stantly with the request to follow
him. A stout, conAortable-looking
officer held my letter, and after as
surine himself by few questions of
my harmlessness, he ordered a cor
poral to escort me to the palace.
There, alas my hopes were clouded
by the information that the Countess
had left the court two days previous
ly for six weeks holiday.
Disappointment number one
Should | have better success with
the Burgermeister's letter, and how
was | to find my major? | con-
suited my faithful escort, the cor
poral, and across the hot and sandy
courtyard, from one extreme wing
of the palace to the other we
trudged.
Luckily the Herr Major was in.
So | sent in card and letter and
waited. Evidently he was not an
early riser. for could tell from un.
mistakable sounds that my call had
found him in bed.
Several minutes elapsed, and then
he made his appearance in dressing
gown and slippers, smilingly apollo