Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-07-21
THE EMPEROR WILLIAM.
OSy Anne Warrir gton Wltherup, fror
(Harpcr's Bazar)

HE EMIEROk WILLIAM.
ORy Anne Warrington wltherup, from
tlarpcr's Bazar)
Finding myself in Berlin. | resolved to
call upon his Imperial Ilighness William
the Second. better known as the Yellow
Kid Of Potsdam.
Royalty Is so hedged about by etiquette
that II seemed almost impossible that
should get an audience with him. iIc was
most charming about the matter. but, as
he said In mis- note to me, he could not
forget the difference I'm our respective sta
tons IN life For an Emperor to consent
to receive II plain American newspaper
woman was out of the question. He could
be interviewed incoE., however as Mr.
William llohenzollern, If that would suit
my wishes.
! replied instantly that 1t was not Mr.
William llohonzollern that | wished TO in
terNlCw, nut the German Emperor, and
unless ! could see him as Emperor / did
not wish to sec him at all added that
! might come incog. myself IL all that was
necessary to make the whole hingregular
was that should appear to be on IA social
level with him.. and | could call as the
Marchioness of Spuyten Duyville. or il he
preferred, Princess of Harlem Hcights
To both of which titles, I assured him,
had as valid Il claim as any other lady
journalist in the world-in fact, more So
since they were both Of my own invention
Whether II was tho Independence Of my
action or the novelty of the situation
that brought 1t about do not know. but
the return mail brought a command from
the Emperor to the Princess of Haarlem
Heights to attend royal fetc given in
her honor at the Potsdam Palace the next
morning at twenty minutes after eleven.
| was there on the stroke of the hour
and found his Imperial Highness sitting
on small gilt throne surrounded by mir
rors, having his tintype taken. This Is
one of the Emperors daily duties. and one
which he has never neglected from the
day Of his birth He has n complete set
of these tintypes ranged about the walls
of his private sanctum in tho form of a
frieze, and he frequently spends hours at
a time seated on a step ladder examining
himself as he looked on certain days in
the past.
He smiled affably as the grand high
chamberlain announced The Princess of
Haarlom Heights" and on my entrance
threw me one of his imperial gloves to
shake.
"Iloch" he cried as he did so.
Ditto hic," | answered with my most
charming smile."I hope | do not disturb
you. my dear Emperor"
Not in the least" he replied. Nothing
disturbs US. We are the very centre of
equanimty. We are "A sort of human Glib
L
nice day out" he added.
Most charming" said l.
I'VE are glad you find 1t So madame"
Excuse me- sir" l said, firmly-"Prin-
cess"
Indeed, yes. We had forgotten" he re-
Piled with courteous wave of his hand
I'VE are glad, Princess that you find the
day nice out We ordered it so, ana 1t is
plea SAINT to feel that what we do for the
world Is appreciated. We shall not ask
you why you have sought this interview "
he continued. I'VE can quite understand.
without wasting our time on frivolous
questions. why any one. even ii beautiful
American like yourself, should wish 10
sec US in person. Are you In Berlin for
long,"
only until next Thursday. sir" ! re-
Piled
What a pity" he commented, rising
from the throne and strokng his mus
tache before one of the mirrors What II
tremendous PITY We should have been
pleased to have had you with us longer"
Emperor" said |, this is no time for
vain compliments, however pleasing to me
they may be. Let us get down to busl-
ness Let us talk about the great problems
of the day."
"As you WILL Princess" he replied. ITO
begin with, we were born"
Pardon me, sire" i interrupted. But
know all about your history"
"They study us in your schools, do they?
An, we'll they do rightly" said the En-
peror, with wink of satisfaction at him
self in the glass. They indeed do rightly
to study us. When one considers what
we are the result of! Far back, Princess
in the days of Thor, the original plans for
William Second were made. This person.
whom we have the distinguished and sa-
cred honor to be, was contemplated in the
days when chaos ruled. Gods have dream
ed of HIM goddesses have sighed for him;
epochs have shed bitter tears because he
was not yet; and finally he Is here, in us
-inoarnate sublimity that we are!"
The Emperor thumped his chest proudly
as he spoke until the gold on his uniform
fairly rang.
"Are we-ah-are we apprccla ted In Am
crica?" he asked.
"To the full Emperor, to the full!'
replied, instantly. II do not know any
country on the face of this grand green
earth where you are quoted more
often at your full value than with us.
"And-ah." he added with slight coy
ness of manner-"we are--ah-- supposed
to be at what you Americans call par and
premium, eh?"
Emperor" said I. you are known to
US as yourself"
"Madame-or rather Princess" he cvied.
ecstatlcally. you could not have praised
us more highly"
He touched an electric button as he
poke. and instantly Buttons appeared.
THE iron cross!" he cried.
mot for me--oh sire--not for me2' said
/. almost swooning with Joy.
mo, Princess, not for you." said the
Emperor. For myself. We shall give you
one Of the buttons on our imperial coat.
1t is our habit every morning at this hour
TO decorate our imperial SELF and we have
rung for the usual thing just a. you