Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-05-03
READ FOR A CROWN.
Pretty Story Of the courtship Of King
Edward,

Pretty Story Of the Courtship Of King
Edward.
1t is not generally known that the
present Queen Of England owes her
position as wife Of Edward VII. partly
to her excellent reading. She was In
vited, when sixteen years Of age, to
the British court, where the late
Queen Victoria devised numerous fetes
and other entertainments in honor Of
the occasion.
One day, wearied by the confusion
and pomp of regal etiquette, young
Princess Alexandra took a book and
wandered off in the palace gardens.
So deeply was she engrossed In this
pastime that she was unaware Of the
distance she had strolled from the
palace. Startled by a shadow fitting
across her path, she looked up and
saw Albert Edward, Prince Of Wales.
He smiled and said: "You were read
ing?"
Eyes your highness," she replied.
MAY I inquire what author is so
highly honored?"
shakespeare"
"And you were reading?"
With something akin to Yankee spir-
it, she answered.: Guess"
Romeo and Juliet"
"You are good at guessing" she
laughingly responded ut is really so.'
"Take my arm, and lend me your
Shakespeare" proposed Prince Albert.
Thus, arm in arm. they continued
their walk, he selecting passages and
reading them to her, she an attentive
listener.
"Ah!" he suddenly exclaimed, this
is coincidence. I shall lend you my
copy, and you will find that wherever
there is a Passage marked In yours,
mine also Is marked in precisely the
same spot.
"That simply proves, prince, that we
can both appreciate the beautiful" re-
turned Alexandra, quietly.
Finally, tired Of walking, they seated
themselves in the shade Of a giant
oak, and the prince, who now as king
Is still said to be a fine reader, Sc
lected several passages, and read them
aloud with a skill which evoked the
highest compliments Of his fair COM
panion.
He then chose passage for her to
read, saying: II want you to read this
as we'll as you possibly can."
She glanced at 1t, and smilingly COM
mented: II see 1t is something about
kissing; but as l presume it would be
treason to question the taste Of your
royal highness, shall endeavor to dc
my best"
At the conclusion Of her effort, the
prince impulsively !clapped his hands
and exclaimed: Bravo! You read Sc
finely that I wish you might be en-
ployed by the year to please the court
Of England with your voice!"
I'm that case, prince" she said SER
iously, 81 do not know Of anyone that
is better able to employ me than your
SELF"
1T would depend altogether on your
price," replied Albert, half-jokingly.
"Oh!" returned the princess, II should
not be very extravagant in my charges;
I should be willing to read to them fol-
life for the sum of twenty-five shill-
ings."
The prince. somewhat mystified, eau
toned her: "You are much too moder-
! ate; fear you would soon have reason
to regret such an engagement.
mot so insignificant after all
prince" rising as she spoke, "for, II
you reflect a moment you will remem-
ber that the sum Of twenty five shill-
ings is no less than an English sover-
eign and an English crown"
Before Albert had recovered from his
astonishment, Alexandra had left his
presence, perhaps fearful Of the effects
of her audacity.
That she created an impression upon
the heir apparent is, however, most
evident; her marriage with Albert Ed
ward took place on March 10, 1853, and
she now shares with him the honors
incident to the possession Of tween.
ty shillings" income.