Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-09
THE KAISER CHATS.
a CHANCE gNTgHWeW WITH THE
YOUNG GERMAN EMPEROR.
Fraakasss fson Brtton--Wfihsin raiks
or Himself - cesriss whs Does Mes
Know Idsstisy Of His Cenpanion.


fPsiI-Man Budsetl
The following Il an account sent rs
by . correspondent Of real. but as will
be seen, "chance" interview with the
German Emperor:
Twas walking the other day in the
"Grupewsld at Chaflottenburg when
lit suddenly began to rain. The small
pine trees afforded poor shelter, and l
had already resigned myself to getting
wet through when I noticed . small
shed. / entered and lighted pipe:
Suddenly / heard hasty steps. and
Q minute later young man en-.
tered in the greenish-gray uniform OF
the German foresters. He did not seem
agreesbly surprised ct seeing me, but
bowed politely and sat down not far of:
Presently he took . pipe and searched
his pockets in vain for Q match. OF
fered him mine, and he, lighting his
pipe, said in fluent English, without the
slightest trace OF foreign accent:
"Oh, you are English?"
"And so are you" l replied.
"Oh, mol" He laughed and seemed
amused.
"Well, it is wonderful how the Ger
mans aquire languages i" exclaimed.
There is such difference between
our schools and yours"
"Yes, there is. You mean to say We
don't learn anything and you learn
evervthinp. But l prefer our schools,
nevertheless.
"May / ask why
"Because we educate the character in
our public schools and you don't, Two
little nephews of mine are In German
school, gymnasium, as you call 1t.
Poor little beggars-they are kept Ike
slaves"
"Oh, not quite. he demonstrated. j..
"Well, it's not far oil. The object OF
the German schools seems to be to keep
the boys in dependence, while we try TO
make them independent ,"
The young forester kept silent After
a while he said: "There is going to be
change" -, .
Did he mean q change in the weather !?
l looked up to the sky and said: lies,
I hope the sun is coming out.
He smiled. 81 hope SO, too. But
just thought of change In our schooi
system" u
man, the Emperor ?"
"Yes. ON account of that young man,
the Emperor. He Put singular stress
on these words.
"Well, he tries to do his best. said
II. "He is plucky young fellow, and
| take great interest in his doings.'
"a good many people do. but they
only do it to criticise him.
"That does not matter. Certainly he
has his faults. Some writer says every
child is born with two horns, and he
must wear them off before he becomes
reasonable"
"And has he still bis horns ?"
"To a certain extent. In spite OF that
he is wonderful man. Don't you think
SO 2"
~ do not know"
"Just imagine what he has done.
When he came to the throne he was a
devoted follower of Bismarck until he
saw that Bismarck was nothing but an
old tyrant. Ald then be sent him home
and tried to introduce reforms-reforms
in every branch of public life. he in
troduced reforms in the schools, in the
army, in social legislature
"And therefore they call him IN
steady !"
$50 he is. He wants to do too much
all at once. He thinks he knows every
thing better than any one else"
ooh, no, he does not think 30 "
"At least people say"
a. am afraid people say good deal
think the Emperor would be glad if
they left him alone"
but that is only possible if he re-
signs.
"Resigns ?" asked the young man, as
if the very idea Mortified him.
"Every statesman is naturally subject
to criticism. And he must get used to
that. too. I should advise the Emperor
to read English papers as much as posi-
ble."
"Why ?"
"In them he would hear good deal
of untruth about him, but also good
deal OF truth"
"Cuite 80. He reads them"
"They say he got wild the other day
over Punch"
The young fellow laughed. "You
mean that poem about Struwelpeter ? l
should say the Emperor can stand things
like that "
III he can't at present, he will by-and-
by. l have no doubt he will turn out a
great mamie has o sense OF duty to
| God and men he has energy, and if he
only acquires little modesty he is sure
to succeed. That is to say"
The young man looked at me atten-
lively "Well?"
"-If his health does not prevent
him
NV companion suddenly rose. "Thank
you," he said, for your kind opinion.
With Gods help l will do the best for
my people. / am the German Emperor
myself" He took my hand and gave it
a hearty shake. elf you happen to
speak with your countrymen about me
tell them / like their straightforwardness.
Leben Sic wohl."
He put his gun on his back and
walked off. When / recovered from my
astonishment / saw him walking on the
road upright as pine tree.
| That was the German Emperor That
simple, unaffected fellow! God bless
him No one shall in future talk badly
OF him in my presence.