Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-03-03
THE QUEENS
BIRTHDAY GIFT
II Was a Carload Of
Roses.
By r. A. Mitchell

Ine map OF that part OF Europe in
| which began the great European war
has been changing ever since 1t was
a part of ancient Gaul Centuries ago
there was kingdom composed large
ly Of what ia now Flanders. The capt.
tai was probably Client. though tho
time Of my story is SO remote that one
| cannot be sure about this. The coun-
try was then governed BY a queen
who had the same name as the present
ruler Of Holland Wilhelmina.
One day farmer living on the out
| skirts Of the capital said to his son,
a strapping young man just come of
age:
Hans. wish you to take into town
a CARLOAD Of flowers. l learn that to-
morrow Is the queens birthday, and
there will be great demand for the
flowers on the part Of courtiers to be
stow upon her majesty. l hear she Is
both young and beautiful and that she
will take husband from one Of her
own subjects. Therefore many gal
lants will wish to bestow gifts upon
her, and there L. no gift that viii SO
touch a woman's heart as dowers."
| Hans obeyed his father. Going out
to the barn. he harnessed a mule to q
cart and then drove 1t into the garden
1t was the lsonth, of June. and there
were many ro<-~ In bud and In bloom
Hans loved the roses better than any
Other flower and put 90 many In the
cart that there was no room for any
other flowers. However. he knew that
roses brought the best price. 30 he
concluded to leave the load as It was
Then going to his room he put on the
clothes he usually wore to the city. a
doublet Of dark blue and hose to
match. Then girding on his sword
every one wore sword In those days
he mounted his cart and drove the
mule toward the capital
Hans had no sooner reached the
outskirts Of the city than he met
young man in a very brilliant costume
marks Of being a noble Seeing the
roses in the cart. his eyes lighted with
pleasure.
How much for your roses?" he ask
ed Hans.
They are not for sale at present"
replied the countryman. IF they are
wanted here they will bring better
price when l approach the palace, for
this is the queens birthday, and there
will be many gallants wanting flowers
for gifts to her majesty"
The man abused Hans for a country
pumpkin. but Hans drove on. paying
no attention to him. Hans was stop
ped many times by courtiers, some
times men. sometimes women. and re-
ceived many offers for his load. but he
drove on. always saying. III you are
willing to give so much here what will
l be offered when ] reach the market
place in the cente. of the cityY'
Finally he stopped his mule at the
palace gates and was about to drive
into the courtyard when he was stop
ped by a sentry.
II have gift for her majesty Queen
wilhelmina." said Hans. Let me
pass"
The chamberlain happened to be
looking out of window at the time
and. seeing a CARLOAD Of roses below.
bethought himself that there was a
fine opportunity to buy flowers with
which to decorate the throne room. In
which his royal mistress would that
day receive her birthday congratula-
tons. Running down and out he said
to Hans:
How much for your roses. my
manY'
"They are not for sale"
But you must sell them. l wish to
buy them for the queen. l will give
you a thousand forms for them"
II intend them for birthday gift
to her majesty"
The chamberlain looked at Hans as
If he thought him daft
Come. come" he said coaxingly.
Don't be fool. The queen will not
accept gift from such as you. But
she must have your roses So many
are not to be had elsewhere. Drive
them into the courtyard. and I will
| pay you"
Il will drive them into the courtyard.
out only as gut ior neT majesty,
replied Hans.
I'VE will see about that" cried the
chamberlain angrily. and. taking the
mule by the bride. he led him through
the gateway into the court and stop
ped before door Of the palace. Then
he went inside to summon servants to
carry In the roses while he obtained
the money to pay for them. he return
ed. leading half dozen lackeys with
baskets. and he held In his hands
bag containing thousand forms He
found Hans standing before his cart
| with folded arms.
Get out Of my way" said the cham
/ berlain.
IF you touch one Of the flowers"
Faid Hans. drawing his sword. 81 will
make hole In you"