New-York tribune., 1909-06-27

in the heart but TO a touch OF madness III
the brain Upon that weakness Grumkow
played and was able to impose ms own
hatreds on the King. Frederick William;
though always violent, seemed rational ana
sane on all subjects save the Crown Prlnce anu
Wihelrnina. but his treatment OF them was q
series of unique Crueltles, IN matters large anu
small. that could have proceeded from none but
distorted mind.
ONE day, while the King and his friend the
~ Captain on flying visit TO Berlin the
former hOnOred Henry with an invitation 70
dine at the royal table. 1t was an honor granted
to few and dreaded by everyone. The dinner
hour was noon. In the Kings eyes, punctual-
ity was a cardinal virtue, and to be late was to
be damned-by his Majesty. Dinner beng an
nounced the King and the Queen led the way
to the table and when they reached the dining
room Don't Care asked mahclously:
Where are Fritz and Nina
''Yes. where are thew" demanded the King,
taking his place and signifying by gesture that
the Others were to be seated Hardly were the
Queen. Don't Care and Henry in their chairs,
than the King began mumbling the long grace
that invariably preceded meat-perhaPS II
would be more exact to say vegetables tne
royal table
In the midst Of grace the Crown Prince and
Wilhefmina entered the dining room and paused
till the PRAYER was ended When the King SAID
Amen" Fritz and his sister fastened TO ther
places at the table. Henry, OF course, rose
while they were being seated, and the hIng
growled out.
Keep your chair. decent man need not
rise to a hussy and a rascal who are always late
late. late
seated Henry resumed his chair and viewed
the table The dishes were of massive silver and
gold, but there was no tabecioth, ana the
table itself was of cheap wood Silver and gold
co11Id if the need arose be coined INTO marks,
crowns, and pistoles, and in no other place IN
Europe was there plate to the value OF that
found IN Bcrli, and Potsdam. Fine wood, linen.
and other articles to beautlty the palace were
not coinable consequently the King wasted no
money on them, but IN silver and gold he was
both prodigal and miscrly. On the table was
one large plate Of bread and in front OF the
King were massive covers in which Henry sup
posed the dinner was stored. His Majesty
served all dishes for the reason that he wished
to avoid waste and ovcrfeedlng.
A FTER grace. the King directed a lackey to
L y remove the cover from one OF the dishes IN
front of his plate. The lackey obeyed, and
Henry saw a lump Of boiled pork. from which
the King carved a small piece for the Queen, an
other small piece for Don't Care, large cut tor
the guest and larger piece Tor himself. Ihen
the meat dish covered, signal that 1t was
to be removed and the contents kept Tor supper.
If an ounce of the pork was lacking when served
at the evening meal. Frederick William would
detect the theft create a great storm, and II
possible punish the thief. Fritz and Nina sat
holding their hands while the Others at table
ate the meat.
When the. first course was finished. other
plates were brought in, and the second dish.
very large one filed with cabbage, was unCOv-
cred The King who had been mumbhng ever
since Fritz and Nina had taken their seats.
helped himself the Queen Don't Care. and
Henry bountifullv to cabbage. and placed
small portion on plate intended for the Crown
Prince BY the time he had served WIiheI
mina's plate. anger had gathered in his brain.
and before the lackey could take the plate from
the table he seized 1t, rose to his feet, and
hurled it. cabbage and all, at the Princes head
Fritz lodged the plate and II fell to the floor
Poor Nina restrained her tears and sat motion
less waiting for the TRADE of abuse she knew
would come.
IN teach YOU To- be late, shouted the King.
you laggard, lazy-lazv-
But the Kings wrath was stemmed by seeing
Henry rise take his own plate of cabbage. and
place it before the Princess While Henry was
rcsuming his seat. the King scowled angrlly.
seemed about to explode. changed his mind,
laughed. struck the table, and SAID
',L1ebcy HimmeH he isn't afraid Of any
thing nothing in Heaven. earth or hell
Bring on another plate
And the dinner proceeded
1t Is difficult to believe that a scene such as
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