The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-31
HIT KING IN FACE
Aged Flower Seller Enjoys Tn.
usual Distinction
Special Foreign Service

Special Foreign Service
LONDON, July 30-It isn't every
! one who could hit king square1y in
athletic lady in the accompanying pic
ture has done both things. She is
Margaret Smith, the London flower
seller who made such mess of her
attempt to show her loyalty to her
sovereign, King Edward, the other day.
1t came out all right, however. and
henceforth Margaret will be numbered
among the Smiths who have done
something to confer distinction on that
most commonplace. of patronymics.
When Margaret Smith was young
she might have possessed both a shape
~ figure and good looks. But if 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 visit
to the city the other day to lay the
foundation stone of the new buildings
of st. Bartholomew hospital, Marga-
ret decided that she would take few
| hours off from her stand that she
might get good look at him. AS
| made up a big bunch of her choicest
roses, which she might have sold for
a dollar, and took it with her. She
| is a powerful woman and found little
difficulty in eibowing her way to a
| front place among the throng gath
cred at the junction of Shrewsbury
avenue and New Oxford street to see
| the royal party drive by on their re-
] turn journey. A great shout announced
| their approach. Disregarding the in
| junction of the police to stand back"
| Margaret stepped from the sidewalk
to the street, and as the kings car
riage whirled by cried out at the top
4; of her lungs, God bless your majesty
and brew her bouquet into the vehicle.
| But stout of arm as we'll as loyal of
| heart, Margaret hurled it harder than
| she was aware Of and the floral tribute
struck the king square between the
| eyes.
1t did no damage to the royal physi-
| ognomy and the king, we'll understand
| ing the good intention that had
prompted the blow, picked up the
/ bouquet and smiled on the donor. Lon
| don would never have heard of the
| incident, probably, had not jealous
| constable witnessed it. To him the
| act came within the official definition
| of assault and battery and "leSe ma
| jeSte," to boot He promptly collared
| Margaret and marched her off to Bow
street police court. 1t was fortunate
| for Margaret that he did SO, as 9TH
! erwise she would have remained an
| inconspicuous Smith. The magistrate
| remanded her to ascertain what ac-
| ton the king 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 immediately" And
| to Margaret herself was conveyed a
| private message. to the effect that the
| king appreciated her loyalty and
| treasured her gift.
Now Margaret carries her head high
among her fioWer-selling associates,
and declares that when she next gets
a chance to see the king drive by she
| will present him with two of the best
punches of roses to be got if she has
| to "go broke" TO do it. And the con-
| stable has received a wigging instead
of the promotion he had expected.
When in doubt as to how your money
should be invested. read ''The Globes