The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-04-19
THE QUEEN WINS.

The bastille had not vet fallen. The
thoughtess youth OF the French aristoc-
racy still danced through the saloons
OF the royal castles. Maurepas still
reigned prime minister the same
friend of humanity who made the COM
passionate decision concerning the peo-
Piles welfare: why build hospitals.
Can not the people die on the roads il
they likep"
This evening Maurepas had the honor
OF being permitted TO lead the beauti-
ful Marie Antoinette 10 the card-table.
but. complaining of severe headache
as they passed through the saloon, the
good queen excused him from further
attendance that the pain might not be
increased As he WAS Fastening back
through the ante-chamber TO the dane
ing hall. where the king was taking his
coffee he perceived beneath the gobelin
tapestry OF the famous Louyois window
man Ia citizens dress who regarded
him expectantly aud bowed low before
him.
1T Is all right Dumonet. whispered
the asthmatic old man; this evening
his majesty will taste of it, And he
forthwith thrilled out one of his hun
dred madrigals. which. in truth. were
tame enough but which his natterers
found very witty. La the royal apart
ment he saw just then Louis XVI. take
from sugar basin two delicately
broken Jumps of sugar aud sweeten his
coffee with them. As the king took
mouthfu OF the coffee the ministerial
friend of the people approached and
asked respectfully:
How does your majesty find the
coffee this evening""
'As usual, excellent
THE best mocha Is always upon your
maiesty's table: but does the sugar. suf-
ficiently moderate the bitterness Of the
coffeePn
Louis XVI. was sensitive 10 mockery
and irony even to timidity; therefore he
said inqniringly:
What do you mean by thatp"
Maurepas laughed. Your majesty.
permit me one question. How much.
sire do you think these two pieces of
sugar cost?" The king looked uneasy.
"Do you wish TO test my mathema-
tical ability?N Maurepas continued to
laugh Wen. then. will answer
your problem: Sugar costs the people
about 80 sous pound. III | reckon
eighty pieces to the pound it makes
sou for each piece; but since TO me as
king everything is quadruplcd, | have
this evening consumed 8 sous worth Of
sugar"
"This sugar is the gift OF one of your
subjects, who counts himself happy
that II IL considered worthy of a place
on your maiesty's table; therefore II
costs you nothing. sire. but the giyeT
values every piece Mt a full Louis dor. :"
'.YOu are beside Yourself M. lie
Maurepas. Eighty Louis dor for .
pound of sugar. Al that rate / should
be compelled TO sell Rambouiet 10 sup.
ply my brother with sugar for "A year,
for you know he takes handful to
every cup. But explain TO me your
JEST
''In moment, your majesty" And
he took the sugar-basin and emplied
the contents upon the marble table and
counted the pieces. Forty three. with
francs; but look your majesty. what
dazzling whitcness and how light IL il
aud how sweet, without any bitter after
taste"
Come, now said Louis. interrupt.
Ing his babble. lis sugar ever biter""
And your majesty will never guess
from what this sugar Is made"
The king was not without soms
knowledge of chemistry. therefore he
answered hesitatingly:
Naturally from the sugarcane."
Pardon me, your majesty, Il Is beet.
root sugar"
"Beet-rootl What Is beet-roota"
The duchess Of Chartrcuse who was
listening. drew near aud said: "Bcets.
sire, are little red leaves. OF which my
servants make salad
nj. de Maurepas cnt of her expIana.
ton with malicious laugh. Beet
are edible roots. which people as we'll
rs cattle find palatabl,. and now they
have been found 10 yield sugar
Respect kept the brilliant company
out Of hearing distance. and they
watched eagerly the strange proceed.
ings. All this examining. weighing.
and counting Of the sugar tossed up the