Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-08-06
HIT KING IN FACE
AND WENT SCOT FREE.

Special Correspondence
I oNDON, July 2L-It isn't everyone
who could hit a king squarely in
the face and get off scot free, but
the athletic lady in the accompanying
picture has done both things She is
Margaret Smith, the London flower sell
ler1@ho made sdchsa mess Of her at
temptSSbs.s show, her loyalty 10 her SOW
erelgn,s King sEdward the other day. 1t
all cameout right, however and hence
forth Margaret will be Numbered among
the Smiths who have 60te something to
confer distinction ons that most COM
monplace of patronymics.
When Margaret Smith was young she
might have possessed both shapely
figure and good looks. But IL ever
she had these charms, middle age. toll
and family cares have robbed her OF
them. Evidently, however her trials
and troubles have not soured her or
caused her to turn against the powers
that be. When the king paid a visit TO
the city the other day to lay the foun-
dalton stone OF the new buildings ~
ST. Bartholomew hospital Margaret
decided that she would take few
hours Off from her stand that she might
get good look at him. As an Offering
TO the shrine of royalty she made up n
big bunch OF her choicest roses which
she might have sold for dollar and
took II with her. She is q powerful wo-
man and found little difficulty In ell
bowling her way TO a front place among
the throng gathered at the junction of
Shaftebury Avenue ana New oxford
street to see the royal party drive by on
their return journey. A great shout
announced their approach. Disregard
Ing the injunction of the police to
Stand backl' Margaret stepped from
the sidewalk to the street and as the
kings carriage whlrled by cried out at
| the top of her lungs God bless your
majesty" and threw her bouquet into
| the vehicle, But stout Of arm as we'll
as loyal Of heart, Margaret hurled il
harder than she was aware OF and the
, floral tribute struck the king squarely
between the eyes.
II did no damage to the royal physI
| ognomy and the king, well understand
| ing the good Intention that had prompt
ed the blow, picked up the bouquet and
smiled on the donor London would
| ably, had not a jealous constable Wit
messed II. To him the act came within
the official definition Of assault and
battery and "lese maJests' to boot, lie
promptly collared Margaret and
| marched her off TO Bow street police
court II was fortunate for Margaret
that he did 30. as otherwise she would
have still remained an inconspiouous
Smith. The magistrate remanded her
TO ascertain what action the lSlng
wished taken in the matter. Margaret
was not kept long waiting in durance
vile to learn her fate Promptly came
back the royal answer release her Inn
medlately." And to Margaret herself
was conveyed private message to the
effect that the king appreciated her 10y
atty and treasured her gift,
Now Margaret carries her head high
among her nower-selllng associates and
| declares that when she next gets u
chance to see the king drive by she viii
present him with two OF the best
punches Of roses to be got II she has to
| go broke" 10 do t. And the constable
has received a wlgglng instead Of the
! promotion he had expected.