Evening star., 1909-06-27

poison OF hatreu tnan FTeQer1Ck w lll1am
but the Kings words just spoken threw new
light on his character and Henry concluded
that his great faults were owing not to hatred
in the heart, but to a touch of madness IN
the brain Upon that weakness Grumkow
played and was able to impose his
hatreds on the King Frederick William
though always violent, seemed rational and
sane on all subjects save the Crown Prince and
Wihelmina, but his treatment of them was
series of unique cruelties in matters large and
small, that could have proceeded from none but
distorted mind
ONE day, while the King and his friend the
- Captain were on flying visit to Berlin. the
former honored Henry with an invitation to
dine at the royal table. 1t was an honor granted
hour was noon. In the Kings eyes. punctual-
ity was a cardinal virtue, and to be late to
be damned-by his Majesty Dinner being an
nounced, the King and the Queen led the way
room Don't Care asked maliciously:
Where are Fritz and Mina9"
Yes where are they" 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 it
would be more exact to say vegetabes-at the
royal table.
In the midst of grace, the Crown Prince and
till the prayer was ended When the King said
Amen Fritz and his sister fastened to their
places at the table. Henry, of course rose
while they were being seated and the King
growled out:
Keep your chair decent man need not
rise to a hussy and rascal who always late,
late, late!'
When the Prince and the Princess were
seated. Henry resumed his chair and viewed
the table. The dishes were of massive silver and
L L., t~..% %,h1 10fh fha
table itself was of cheap wood Silver and gold
could if the need arose be coined into marks.
crowns, and pistoles, and in no other place IN
Europe there plate to the value of that
found in Berlin and Potsdam. Fine wood, linen,
and other articles to beautify the palace were
not coinable. consequently the King wasted no
money on them; but in silver and gold he was
both prodgal and miserly. 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 stored His Majesty
served all dishes for the reason that he wished
to avoid waste and overfeeding.
A FTER grace, the King directed a lackey to
remove the cover from one OF the dishes IN
front of his plate. The lackey obeyed. and
Henry saw lump of boiled pork. from which
the King carved a small piece for the Queen.
other small piece for Don't Care, large cut for
| the guest. and larger piece for himself. Then
the meat dish was covered, signal that it was
to be removed and the contents kept for supper.
If an ounce of the pork was lacking when served
at the evening meal. Frederick William would
detect the theft. create great storm. and if
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 filled with cabbage, was uncov-
cred. The King who had been mumbling ever
since Fritz and Nina had taken their seats,
| helped himself, the Queen Don't Care, and
Henry bountifully to cabbage. and placed
small portion on plate intended for the Crown
Prince. BY the time he had served Wilhef-
mina's plate. anger had gathered in his brain,
and before the lackey could take the plate from
the table he seized it, to his feet, and
hurled it, cabbage and all, at the Princes head.
Fritz lodged the plate and it fell to the floor.
Poor Nina restrained her tears and sat notion
less, waiting for the TRADE of abuse she knew
would come.
"I'll teach you to be late" shouted the King.
"you laggard. lazy-lazy-"
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
resuming his seat, the King scowled angrily.
| seemed about to explode. changed his mind,
laughed, struck the table. and said
'Lieber Him1rei! he isn't afraid of any,
thing nothing in Heaven. earth, or HE'LL
Bring another plate"
And the dinner proceeded.
1t is difficult to believe that a scene such as
the one lust described could have taken place