The Forrest City times., 1892-02-05
PRINCESS JEANNE.

am going to tell you story of a little girl who lived in palace and hnd everything that love could think of or money could buy. Her name was Jeanne dAlbret and she was born in the royal palace at Fontain- bleau in Franco long before France became republic. The king of France Francis L. was the uncle of Jeanne her mother being the kings only sister. Margaret Jeanne's mo- ther lived in Navarro. and her hus- band was king of that country. Little Jeanne though only a baby, was . very important parsonage. She was heir to the crown and kingdom of Ma varre. and to great wealth in landA money and jewels.
 The mother of Jeanne wished very much to take her to her own home in Navarro. but the king of France would not allow the child to leave his king dom. He said she must stay there and marry his eldest son. and become the queen of Franco Navarro was between France and Spain. and the king of Spain Charles ". wanted to bar gain for her. while she was in her cradle to be the wife of his son Philip who was to become king of Spain. What those two great kings wanted was Jeanne's kingdom and her riches They did not care for her.
 So Queen Margaret had to leave the baby princess in France. when she was only . few weeks old. She com mitted her to the care of Madame de Silly. wise and noble lady who took her to palace at Louray. where she remained for the first five years of her life.
 Although she was only a baby. she had . great many officers and servants to attend her. lords and ladies Tn wait- ing, and official carriages, horsemen. footmen and out-riders too numerous to mention. Madame de Silly was in- trusted with the education of the prin- oess. and as soon as she could talk she employed teachers for her.
 When she was only five years old the king of France became alarmed lest her father, the king of Navarro might send trusty officers to steal her away. So he had her and her house. hold removed to Plessis les Tours.
 This strong old castle had been made very secure by Louis XL. who. being in fear of his life, spent his last days there, lest he should be mur- dered, as he had been a very wicked and cruel king. There was a strong wall around the castle, the gates were of iron. and all about the grounds were traps and pitfalls so that if any one approached at night he would be caught in trap or fall into a pit This gloomy old castle was surrounded by great dark forest infested with wolves and other wild animals.
 The Princess Jeanne could not run about and play with freedom. Her ladies -in-waiting or her governess or teachers were with her all the while Then she had to study very hard. She was told over and over again that she was to be a great lady like her mother; that her mother was beautiful and graceful could converse in six different languages and embrOider beautifully; and that she would be obliged to study very hard if she wanted to be grand lady like her mother.
 The learning to embroiGer was a very hard task. She listened with wonder to the accounts given of her mothers work in the palace ID Na- varro. She was told the truth. for there were crimson velvets hanging embroidered from the ceiling to the floor, that were most wonderful to be- hold. which her mother had worked
 She had also to learn court manners; how to receive kings and queens and foreign ministers. and how to act on state occasions Sometimes members of her household would represent these characters when she was being drilled.
 She was very beautiful child. Her face was fair. her hair fine. brown and glossy; her eyes dark violet, and she was dressed in silks and laces every day. and had great many fine costly jewels. But she knew she was pris- oner for state reasons. and longod to get away from the gloomy old forest and castle. and be with her father and mother. She lived in constant fear lest her uncle would barter her away in marriage to some ignoble person. or something else dreadful would happen.
 Very few persons came to the old Castle of Plessis Once in a great white the king visited her. One day the news came to her that Henry. heir to the throne of France. was to be married, against his will. to Cath crime de Medici. All these years the king had been holding her in France on the plea that she was to be mar ried to Henry and become queen Of France. But the pledge was broken. In due time Henry and Catherine were married. Then she was more anxious to escape from Plessis to her own people than ever.
 One day she heard the hunters horns the praying of the hounds and the storming of the outer gate of the castle and soon the king and his ret inue of lords and attendants appeared before the castle door.
 Jeanne ran joyfully to meet the king. She was only twelve years old. and was small and slender for her age at that time She threw her arms about his neck and thanked him for his coming. and entreated him to al- low her to visit her mother. He did not promise but seating himself and drawing her to his side. he said: