The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1902-05-07

In view OF the recent strike riots IN
circulating with regard to the abdica-
ton of King Leopold in favor of bis
nephew, Prince Albert, favorite anec-
dotes are being told over the after din
ner cup of coffee among those who are
in touch with the court circles at Brus-
sells, writes the Antwerp correspondent
of the New York Tribune. In his
Younger DAYS, when still Duke of Bra
bant. King Leopold learned one day
through the colonel of an infantry regi-
ment that one Of the best officers OF
that corps, Captain LeitZbach, an Al
satan by birth, was in grave difficult
ties. This officer, whose character was
above reproach, was sent to the bank
TO draw large sum of money for the
use of the regiment. Through some
mishap the sum was lost during his re-
turn to the colonePs house. The cap
tain, who was the father of large
family and possessed of no fortune,
was in despair, for the loss of the sum
meant the curtailing of his pay for
many years. The Duke of Brabant was
much distressed at the story and asked
to meet the officer in question. Inc
prince tried his best to comfort the cap
tain in his trouble and promised to 90
all in his power to lessen his m1sror-
tune. The next day the colonel sent for
the captain and told him the Duke of
Brabant had made up the lost sum
from his own purse and that he had
further recommended him to the par
ticular attention of the minister or
war. Two months afterward the cap
tain was made major.
Every spring the king gives a garden
party at Laeken, and last year several
days before the fete he CHANGED to be
walking in his park near the palace
gates when he was accosted by two
young women, who, supposing from his
far from kingly attire and SLOUGH hat
that he might be at most the head gar
dener, asked permission to visit the
park. The request was not only readily
granted, but the king proposed to show
them around himself. The young wo-
men. who were bright American girls. |
did not hesitate to ply the pseudo gar
dener with all sorts of questions re-
garding the inner and outer workings
Of the court at Laeken in general and |
the habits of the king in particular.
He was of course highly amused, but |
concealed his mirth and gave them a
very good description of his own per- |
sonality, with which he told them no |
one was better acquainted than him.
self, praising certain qualities and Sc
verely criticising others. A turn in one |
of the paths brought the trio face to
face with Count dOultremont grand
marshal of the court, to whom the king
remarked he was taking the liberty OF
showing the young women over the
park. At the end of the visit the pretty
tourists appeared delighted with both |
the park and their guide, whom they |
considered a remarkably intelligent |
gardener, and on leaving slipped ten
franc piece into his hand, at the same |
time asking if they could not visit the |
chateau.
"Alas! replied the king. 81 fear not. |
But there is to be a garden party on
Friday. Write letter to his majesty,
and perhaps you will receive invita-
TONS" The young women adopted
the suggestion and received an official
invitation, issued by the grand mar
shall. When the hour arrived and they
presented themselves in the gardens
of the Laeken palace, their confusion
can be imagined as they recognized in
their royal host the gardener" of a
few days before. The unhappy state
of affairs was not improved when their
eyes struck the ten franc piece, neatly
mounted and dangling as a charm from
the kings watch chain.
AS to the reports of abdication, it is
of course difficult to get at their source,