Year: 1862

now queen NlcLOrla 6flnks uP hSA


Children.


A young woman, who was formerly one
of the house-maids at Windsor, and left
her Majesty's service to marry, preserves
lively remembrance of the various incl
dents Of her stay at the castle, and Of the
pranks of the little people who are now
growing up to do honor to their royal mo-
theirs training. Among other incidents
of her residence at Windsor, "Mary" well
remembers how, one morning, she was busy
cleaning the CRATE in Prince Albert's study,
the bars of which she was in the act of
backing when the door opened, and in
tripped Princess Royal and Princess
Alice, in white morning frocks, their hair
very smooth and nice, and their hands
very clean, Just ready for their morning
lessons. Mary happened to be rather
late to-day, and was brushing away at the
CRATE with might and main, being rather
fearful lest the Prince should make. his
appearance before she was done.


20, Mary, Mary" cried the two children,
coming up to her, "what are You doing 2"


"I'm blaeking the grate,' replied Mary,
land Pm in a great hurry, for I'm afraid
the Prince will come before I've done"


"Oh, Mary, now, there's q good Mary,
let us help you brush the CRATE, cried the
two children STOPPING down one on each
side of her, and trying to get hold of the
brushes. "Give us the brushes, Mary, and
the lead, and let us help you. 1t will be
such fun"


Mary begged them to go away and not
make her lose time but somehow or other,
though she did her best to keep hold of
the brushes, the little Prineesses were
too cunning for her and tried to get pos
session of them. No sooner had they done
so, than they dipped the brushes into the
pot of black lead, and then, in twinkling,
smeared Mary's face all over with them,
making her as black as chimney-sweep,
which feat being accomplished, they scam
pered out of the room in the greatest pos
sible state of delight, leaving the poor
house-naid beside herself with terror, as
the Queen, who is very early riser, might
very probably meet her if she left the room,
and what would Her Majesty say at the
sight of such blackamoory


While the poor girl in her fright was
hesitating whether to go or stay, afraid of
coming upon the Queen if she left the
study, and equally afraid Of seeing Prince
Albert enter if she remained, the two chill
dren ran of as fast as they could toward the
school room, tittering with exultation at
the thought of their eScapddd, when they
suddenly met their governess, Miss
Id, who stopped them, and asked
them what they were doing in that par
tioulor poscaua at that hour


We are going to the sehoolroom,n
answered the little Princesses."


every good but where are you coming
from ?" AT this awkward question the.
children looking uncomfortably con-
scious, held down their heads, but said
nothing. rt


AT this moment who should appear at
the same doorway but Her Majesty, who
happened to be going to Prince Albert's
study, supposing the Prince to be there,
and wishing to speak to him.


"Why, what are the children doing
here ?" inquired the Queen, who stopped
at the sight of the group.


"That, your Majesty" replied Miss
Id, sis just what I'm trying to find
out, but have not yet been able to disco
ver.n
"Where have you been ?" asked the
Queen of the children, much surprised at
their evident embarrassment, and look
ing more closely, "and what are all
those little black specks on your frocks
and on your hands n she continued pur-
suing her investigation. " 1t is very
evident that you have been at mischief"
said Her Majesty, "and I insist upon
your showing me at once where you have
come from"


As the children have always seemed to
know that their royal mamma is not to be
trihed with, they Immediately led the way
to the study, though very reluctantly, and
in as great trepidaton as was the poor
, house-maid herself, who heard what was
going on, but could not escape, there being
no other way from the study than the pas
sage by which the Queen led by the chill
dren, was advancing to the door, where
, one glance at the face of poor Mary who
was crying as she stood there trying to rub
the lead off her face with her apron,
revealed to the Queen the nature of
, the prank in which the truants had been
/ engaged.


! Don't cry, but go and wash your face, :"
! said the Queen, kindly, to the frightened
, servant ''You are not to blame because
the Princesses have done wrong. You are
two very naughty girls" she continued,
! turning to the children, as the house-maid
! left the room, "you have spoiled Mary's
= clothes, and you will therefore give her u
new gown, and cap, and collar, which you


will pay for out Of your own money And
Z as you have behaved very i'll and very


rudely to the poor girl in backing her


face, you will both of you beg her pardon


for what you have done"


The ohildren's footman was accordingly
: senU forthwith into the town, with instruc-
is tions to purchase a new gown, cap, and
is collar for Mary and as soon as these


were brought up to the school, the little


PrinceSses were sent by the Queepp to


carry, Them to her, and to ask her PAR
o. don for the trick they had played upon
d her.


I'll .'Here, Mary" they, cried, as they pre-
p. sented her with the things, "here is new
" cap for you, and collar, and dress, and
ID mamma says there is quite enough for
m aounces And we beg your pardon for
d putting the blacking on your face THIS
g morning"
Of And back they ran again 70 the school
,e room. declaring that they Hdid not N the
ut least mind giving Mnt5 the new eapd pdsss al "a