New-York tribune., 1909-06-27
THE GERM4N EMPEROR.
Character Study by an EngFshmdn
Who KnO1cS Him We'll.

Thanks to the fact that ever since the Hohenzol-
lerns became kings of Prussia In 1900, my mothers
family has held office at the court of Berlin. have
known Emperor William from the time he was
seven and playmates together. In those
days he in charge of a lady OF his mothers
household the Baroness Won Domenek and I still
recall how he averse TO any game but that of
soldiers in which. of course, he always insisted on
the role of commanding officer while had to con-
tent myself with that of the private Some
times the latter became wearied and insubOTdnate-
The spirit of the English boy rebelled against the
idea of having always 10 give way TO a younger
lad, just because he happened to be a prince. and
battles ensued, which usually terminated in Will
JAMS being disciplined by the baroness for his
lack courtesy and consideration to his friend"
while was conveyed off to punishment by my dear
mother. who with her family traditions OF feaIty
to the house of Prussia. and with the influences of
her Potsdam grlhood seemed to regard-and. alas
deal with-Iny boyfsh differences and fights with the
future Kaiser rank high treason. William never
bore any grudge after these encounters. Indeed
he was then, he remains to-day. OF singularly
generous and forgiving disposition; quick anger
but also equally quick to forget and to make all
possible amends it ne thought that he had been in
the wrong.
While William is a sincerely religious man. more
so assuredy than any of his predecessors on the
throne of Prussia, 1t is mistake to describe him
as a mystic and the stories which have been circu-
lated the effect that he addicted spiritual
ism quite untrue Indeed, superstition is for
eigp to his nature; much so, that he has even
been known to manifest sl1eptcism with regard 70
the existence OF the famous White Lady who,
cordng to German tradition. has haunted his palace
Berlin for hundreds of years her appearance in
variably foreboding the death OF a member Of the
rcigning house. Some time ago of the imperial
footmen summarily dismissed by order OF the
Kaiser for having circulated a story to the effect
that he had the dreaded spectre gliding along
the corridors. BY strange coincidence a young
lieutenant Of the Guards who happened TO be
duty at the time when the servant claimed have
seen the White Lady, reported to his commanding
officer being relieved that he, too, had seen the
celebrated spook. The subaltern was examined and
examined in every possible way by his colonel
who, subsequently learning of the story Of the foot
man, considered the matter sufficiently uncanny to
feel il his duty to bring IT TO the notice OF the
Kaiser. William sent for the subatern. who en-
tered the imperial presence even tremblingIy
than when he had the ghost The Emperor,
noticing this asked him in kindly
What the lady like? Was she tall or
short?"
''She tall, your majesty"
Kaiser-How she dressed?
IAeutenant-She wore a white petticoat with a
white bodice had a white cap on her head and n
long veil flowing 1t ALL"
After q pause, the Emperor continued:
WAS she carrying anything?"
"Oh, yes. your majesty"
What did she have in her right hand?"
Leutenant-A candestCk.
Kaiscr-And what In her left hand?
LieuJeuant-A box of matches.
Emperor William has very keen sense Of hu-
and the idea of the White Lady who dates
from some four hundred years ago or more prom
Cnading about the corridors his palace carrying
matches which are altogether modern invention
caused him burst into roars Of laughter the
young subaltern gazing at him in the mean time
with mouthed astonishment When. finally
the Emperor recovered his composure. he remarked
kindly but firmly:
That will do Don't let me hear ANYTHING more
about the White Lady And take my advice
Don't peer about in the corridors Of the palace at
night. For you might often ladies there attired
in white petticoats and hodtces carrying candle
sticks and boxes of matches in their hands"
How is II possible to believe one moment that
q monarch who makes much fun of the dreaded
bansnee Of his family should be sufficiently crcdu-
lous 10 permit himself to be in any way Influenced
impressed by spiritualistc manifestations and
table rappings ?-Metropolitan Magazine