Oxford Democrat., 1915-03-02
Observation-Disclosures
). The QUEENS
! BIRTHDAY GIFT
Il Was a Carload Of
!, Roses.
Bv F. A. Mitchell

1 ~ Gbs AAA SAAS r.
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The map Of that part Of Europe In
which began the great European wal
has been changing ever since 1t was
a part Of ancient Gaul. Centuries age
there was q kingdom composed large.
ly Of what is now Flanders. The CAPT.
tai was probably Ghent, though the
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 Observation-Disclosures.
One day a 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
CARLOAD Of flowers. I learn that to-
morrow Is the queens birthday, and
there will be a great demand for the
flowers on the part Of courtiers to be-
stow upon her majesty. 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 besto'v gifts upon
her, and there Is no gift that will so
touch a woman's heart as flowers"
Hans obeyed his father Going out
TO the barn. he harnessed mule to a
cart and then drove 1t into the garden.
II was the month Of June. and there
were many roses In bud and In bloom.
Hans loved the roses better than any
other flower and put so many In the
cart that there was no room for any
other flowers. However. he knew that
roses brought the best price. 80 he
concluded to leave the load as 1t 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 a
young man In very brilliant costume
and with feathers in his hat and other
marks Of being a noble. Seeing the
roses in the cart. his eyes lighted with
pleasure.
"How much for your rosesT he ask
ed Hans.
"They are not for sale at present."
replied the countryman. "lf 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 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-
ceiyed many offers for his load. but he
drove on, always saying, IF you are
willing to give so much here what Will
| be offered when reach the market
place in the center Of the city"
Finally he stopped his mule at the
palace gates and was about to drive
into the courtyard when he was STOP
ped by sentry.
~ have a gift for her majesty Queen
Wilhelmina," said Hans. Let me
pass"
The chamberlain happened to be
looking out of a window at the time
and. seeing 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-
tions. Running down and out. he said
to Hans:
"How much for your roses, my
man"
"They are not for sale"
But you must sell them. wish to
buy them for the queen. l will give
you thousand forms for them"
II intend them for birthday gift
to her majesty"
The chamberlain looked at Hans as
II he thought him daft.
"Come. come" he said coaxingly.
Don't be fool The queen will not
accept a 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 will
pay you"
~ will drive them into the courtyard,
but only as a gift for her majesty"
replied Hans.
1--WE 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 a 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 doriDs. 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"
said Hans. drawing bis sword. IL will
make hole In you"
"Treasonr' cried the chamberlain.
"Guards!"
A dozen soldiers came running to the
scene. The queen. hearing the words
"Treasonw and "Guards!" and fearing
q plot or a revolution. put her head out
through an upper window and asked to
know what was the matter.
This countryman." said the cham
berlain, refuses to sell his roses, which
/ wish to decorate the throne room for
your majesty's reception today"
perhaps you have not offered him
enough for them." said the queen.
II have offered him a thousand
FORMS"
THAT surely should be sufficient.
Why will you not sell me your roses.
my good man"
Because l have brought them for
a birthday gift for your majesty"
"a birthday gift" exclaimed the
queen, surprised.
T have told him." put in the cham
r<,t