The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1899-12-29
VICTORIA 5 CHRISTMAS.
The Queen of Great Britain and
Empress of India Lays Aside
Her Regal State.
"A HAPPY EVENT At WINDSOR CASTLE.
The Families Of the Royal Guards.
Absent in Africa. Entertained by
Her Majesty and the Royal Prin-
ecsse~ mt q Christmas Tree and
Ten Party.

New York. Dee. 2s.-A dispatch TO
the World from Windsor says:
Queen Victoria's Christmas tree
party for the wives and children OF
guardsmen new in South Africa. at
Windsor castle, was scene OF IN
constrained enjoyment. The guests
arrived in royal equipages al i:l5 p. m.
and were marshailed in the Waterloo
chamber by the mayor of Windsor.
There, during the IS minutes OF wait
ing for the queen to appear they
romped and played round games and
rolled on the rich soft carpets 10 their
hearts content.
In the ROYAL Presence.
At five o'clock st. Georges hall was
thrown open. Women and children
pressed in TO find the queen in her
wheel chair waiting for her guests be-
side a towering Christmas tree. gilt
tering with electic lights and bristling
with toys.
Princess Christian was on the
queens right and Princess Beatrice.
with her children. on her left. Maids
of honor were grouped around.
The queen was dressed in black with
a black lace shawl across her Shout
ders. and with a peaked widows cap,
and she wore gold-framed miniature
On her breast
A Hush Fell On the Threng.
She smiled somewhat sadly when
hush fell on the rhrong as they reached
her presence, and the little children
gazed curiously AT her. She had told
the court oificiais: we must have
plenty of light and brightne - for the
little ones"
The gorgeous magnificanee of the
surroundings struck the children with
delight and awe. The queen became
| rtdiantly smiling as each mother
brought forward her children
Au appropriate gift was taken from
the tree by the princessts and the
| maids OF honor and pissed To the
queen, sh. handed it with charming
| motherliness 10 the little recipients
Some of the Children Nervous.
Some of the children nervously
Jung to their mothers skirts. The
queen benz forward encouragingly and
PATCHED their bright eyes glisten as
| she pressed some handsome present in
TO their little hands. Others were
bold beyond the limits of courtship.
| advanced confidently and scrutiIiized
| the toys with a critical eye.
The queen was gracious and affable
alike to all. and fully alive to the hui
NOR of the situation. One over-anxious
mother told her little fiye-year-old tod
| dler:
( Pow, Jimmy. bow
4 Confused Lad.
| The boy confused. turned back. and
made his obeisance in the opposite di-
rection. whereat the queen, with lace
/ handkerchief to her mouth. almost
laughed outright.
The mother pulled the little chap
around sharply. The queen gently in
terposed:
'Neyer mind. my little fellow" ami
patted him on the head.
! Another lad gave n correct military
salute. but the succeeding one beat him
by gravely saluting with both hands.
The queen gave each an additional
toy.
Not One Whit Abaxhcd
/ One cheerful old lady went right up
/ TO her majesty. leaned her hand ia
miliarly on the queen. resting on the
side of her chair. and sad
This is the greatest honor of our
/ lives your majesty"
/ The queen answered.:
Il have not enjoyed party more for
many years. 1t gladdens my heart to-
give pleasure TO the families of my
gallant soldiers"
Regular Babel.
The children now were creating n
tremendous din, perfect babel of
squeaky instrumci humping drains,
/ joyous laughter a.. childish chatter
rang through the historic hall sacred
to stately functions Then they sat
down to high tea at two long tables.
The guests were waited on by the two
princesses, the duke of Connaught and
Lord Thorne, who saw that the little
ones wanted for nothing. Some chill
dren would stand on the seats. all be-
came boisterous happy, while tn.
queen wheeled around the tables, adj
dressing some here. some there. tell
ing them:
''Be Happy. My Children.
BE happy, my children. l want to
see you enjoy yourselves"
! The queen remained in the hall for
an hour ard quarter. She thea
withdrew. waving adieu to the party
as she reached the door. She showed
! far greater interest in the boys than
in the girls. She asked the names of a
few particular pretty or sturdy young
sters.
The entertainment was an unquali-
fed success. The children left reiuc-
family, to be driven to their homes
after the merriest party ever held
within Windsor castles STORED halls.
gen. CARPENTER Retired.
Washington, Dec. 2s.-Gen. Gilber,
{. Carpenter. who was recently con
I Z 4. A