The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-12-21
THE KAlsER's CHRISTMAS.

Probably no European court gives
Christmas presents on so extended a
scale as the kaiser's. Everyone gives
presents to everyone else, and for
weeks before Christmas secret inqui-
ries are made about the most suitable
gifts to bestow. The empress and
her seven children mysteriously dash
about Berlin and Potsdam, visiting
jewelers., toyshops and other estab-
lishments where something new or
striking is to be had, and they hold a
levee every morning of tradesmen
whom they have no time to visit.
The kaiser does no shopping him
self, but he is the greatest Christmas
box giver of all, and his presents in
every case exactly fit the desires of
the happy recipient. Early in De-
cember he makes list of the persons
to whom he intends making presents.
His wife heads the list, and at the
foot is usually some old pensioner or
inva1idedshousekeeper who has serv-
ed the Hohenzollerns for half a CEN
tury.
Soon before Christmas the royal
mint sends the kaiser a bag of bright,
new gold twenty and ten mark pieces
and another of silver five mark pieces.
His majesty fills his pockets when he
goes walking in the parks at Pots
dam, and the little children and old
men and women who are fortunate
enough to meet him or soldiers stand
ing sentry, stamping in the snow, are
certain of gift, accompanied not in
frequently by joke.
The kaiser's best side is seen at
Christmas. There Is story current
that once near the palace of Sans
Souci the kaiser came upon a half
frozen sentinel with very red nose and
eyes. The sentinel, with stiff fingers,
brought his rife to the salute.
"Cold day. said his majesty. The
sentinel did not reply, but his teeth
chartered.
"How long have you been on duty?"
asked the kaiser. Still no reply.
Stupid p said his majesty. why
don't you speak when address your"
The sentinel moved his jaws and
lips, but no word escaped. The kaiser
burst out laughing and, turning to
his adjutant, said
"Take this chap into the palace.
put him before a fire, thaw him out,
particularly his jaws, see he gets
big hot drink and big feed, and,
here," turning to the sentry, "take
this and drink my health and the en-
press !"
The soldier found voice at last. He
beloved out the one word "Majes-
tact |"
The empress is always practical with
her gifts. Every year her majesty
grows more popular among the best
elements of the people. Her unas-
Stunning ways, entire freedom from
hauteur, consideration for servants
and kindly interest in the welfare of
the poor and helpless endear her in
ever widening circles of Germans.
She is fond of presenting ladies with
costly lace.
The young princess, headed by the
crown prince, show little discrimina.
tion in their gifts-scarfpins, rings,
dogs, cigarette cases, matchboxes,
and so on, being their staple gifts,
varied sometimes by book, pic
ture or a statuette. Victoria Louise S
gifts of dolls to her friends are nu-
merous. To favored friends she does
not mind presenting kitchen ranges
and furnished dolls houses. She is
in close association with the matrons'
and soldiers orphanage at Potsdam,
and the number of little girls who re-
ceive her gifts is enormous. Stores
Of oranges and honey cakes are col
lected by her for distribution on
Christmas eve.-New York World.