Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-09-06

the Queen when she kissed him o.
each cheek, wept. No wonder they ar
all willing to brave any danger, or en-
dure any suffering, for such Kin
and Queen!
Still another soldier told us how b
had heard an officer say to the Queen
But your Majesty may not pass tha
way, it is far too dangerous" and tha
he had heard the retort, "It is not to-
dangerous for my soldiers, and will
pass, l am the Queen"
One related to us an occurrence
which he found very amusing. He
Majesty was passing along his trench
distributing chocolate and tobacco t
the soldiers. So quietly and unosten
tiously she did it, that many were un
aware of her identity At last one
grateful fellow, as she passed, patteG
her in friendly manner on the shoul'
der, to which she responded with 9
charming smile. But his comrades
were overcome with horror; by signs
and whispers they communicated the
fact Of her identity, and too late, the
soldier sprang to salute, but by that
time his Queen was we'll around the
next corner Of the trench, happier
think in the friendly caress than she
would have been in the salute.
Many recollections Of this nature
crowded in upon us, when at last we
stood in her presence. Her Majesty
was friendliness ITSELF After shaking
hands with us, she seated us, one on
each side Of her, and commenced
speaking to US in her soft voice. In
English she spoke, slowly but fluent
ly, and as she conversed with us, so
sympathetically and feelingly we
found our hearts going out to her in
loyal homage. Surely no Queen has
been called upon to suffer so cruelty
as she, nor has borne her undeserved
sufferings with such fortitude and
quiet heroism.
But she spoke not at all about her
self, but only about her people. First
of all she desired to know about our
mission in La Panne, and then about
our work for and interest in, her SOL
diers. As we told her of the work
we had endeavored to do for them, she
was deeply touched, and said not once
but many times. "But you are so very
kind!" She expressed to US the deep
gratitude of herself and the King, for
the aid extended to Belgian civilians
by the American people. "The King
loves Americans" she confided to me.
She accepted gratefully little khaki
covered Testament, like thousands we
had given to Belgian soldiers, and told
us she was pleased that her soldiers
should receive them, Then / prepared
myself for the plunge.
"Your Majesty" l began, little
'tremb1ingiy. .y'ss had expected to haye
two weeks here, and in anticipation OF
that had written to fifty Of our boys,
asking them to meet us here, during
that time, Your Majesty knows" con-
tinued, how the soldiers would prize
and appreciate the privilege of meeting
US here, cut off as they are from their
own families and friends, and what a
bitter disappointment it will be to
them, if they tramp perhaps twenty or
twenty-five kilometres and then they
should find us gone!" Then stopped
little breathless: and too, had had
a happy thought. Reaching in my bag,
produced letter had received just
that day from boy .at the front.
Dear Parents" he wrote, II have
asked permission from my Command
ant, and hope to see you within a
few days. If you could know how
anxious l am to see you, and how long
the time will seem. + Your de-
voted son, Rene" (Another Rene, we
have three, altogetherD
Her Majesty kindly took the letter
in her hand, and read it through, then
looked up at US, But he calls you his
parents" she remarked. Then we told
her little something of our family
and there was a suspicion of tears ir
her eyes, as she said, II will do fol
you what I can. hope I may be able
to secure for you the permission t
remain longer. Do not leave the hote
tonight until you hear from me-"
We chatted with Her Majesty little
longer, and then after an interview O
twenty minutes. we arose to 60. Onl!
then did she arise, and again extended
her hand to us, in farewell.
The Royal Car took US back to ou
humble hotel, and we carried with u
a priceless possession; the eternal re
membrance Of Royal Lady, graciou
and beautiful, and very kind, with
gentle dignity OF presence that mad
the title of Queen. seem singularly ap
propriate, and heart, the tende
sympathy Of which, we could read onl
too clearly.
We were not at our hotel long. be
fore the messenger came from tn
Queen, bearing memorandum. W
could scarcely believe our eyes, whe
we saw we we're given. not the wee
we hesitatingly asked for, but te
days!
One other time we saw the Queer
as Her Majesty, with King Alber
mounted their horses for their morn
ing canter along the sands. When sh
saw us, recognizing us, she bowed an
smiled, and spoke to the King, VIII