Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-10-29

kT@ HE President OF the United States had ap
Is pointed American repre- scntatvc at
n the court OF Elbstadt- Saxhauscn. and i'll
the course of Jew weeks the minister ar
H. rived in the old German city, bringing
with him his wife and two daughters.
Belle, the eldest, was nineteen and out in society;
and Marjorie, the heroine OF my story. was but five
Marjorie pretty child, with big brown eyes,
n merry little mouth, and tange OF golden hair,
that stood out like halo about her head, and cost
Babete, her nurse, an infinite amount OF trouble and
patience to keep It in order Babette was blue
eyed sy-chceked German girl and from the first
moment Of her entrance into this American house
Marjorie a well behaved little girl, usually but
rather needless. She received much, good advice
needed. She often replied: II do try remember
what you say mama, but it won't stay rcmemberedP'
The American legation. or house and Office OF the
American minister, was situated in beautiful shady
street called the Kongstrasse. Down the whole
length OF the avenue ran a broad strip OF turf.
adorned at intervals with beds OF brilliant flowers;
and just in front Of the legation this widened into
a little park, in the center OF which was fountain
playing day and night Throughout the summer it
with the plash and sparkle Of the falling water.
The house in which Mqrjore LIVED was n large
shady oyerarching the smooth shayen
lawns, and a broad gravclcd drive leading
oTer when be aTm Of 70 the G 5.
Marjorie and Babette spent happy summer wan
derng in the garden, or resting beneath the trees,
when Babette would bring ont an unfinished blue
wooden s,tockng-she was never without her knit
ting-and worked diligently, while she told Marjorie
wonderful German tales fairy stories, stories OF
the which cost the Fatherland many noble
lives But OF all things Marjorie loved best to hear
OF the King and Queen OF that country and Babette
never wearied OF dating upon the reported magnh-
Of her sovereign his many palaces, carriages
horses and his rich robes OF state.
Marjorie had OF the palaces, the one
which the King inhabited in the winter but its ex-
ternal appearance certainly did not promise such
delights as Bahete assured her existed within could
one but pass its somewhat torbiddng portals II
Babcttes stories true however king il
fairyland ever lived in greater state and spcndoi
than did his Majesty Of Elbstadt.
The long summer days passed all too quickly tc
Marjorie and then came autumn, bringing with il
renewed life and activity TO the old town, which haC
hitherto seemed so sleepy and dull. The King anc
court returned from the palace on the river; the
streets and parks were gay with gorgeous equipage
and brilliant uniforms and at last, one night Mar
jorie had the delight Of seeing her father mother
and sister attircd for the first ball at the court TIT
festivities OF the winter had begun
"Tcll me all about it 10 morrow" were her las
words as her parents descended the steps to tn
carriage II want to know how the King wa
dressed and the Queen, too and what they said. AM
everything Please don't forget!
Many were the que stions she asked on the follow
Ing day-que stons which her mother and siste
could not answer, having been too much occupied a
the ball to notice the details for which MarjoHe
soul longed
well wish 7 could go to court and see tn
King for myself" she exclaimed somewhat impa
heptly in her disappointment.