The Kaiser's Story

The emperor's "lieblingsblume" has become the national flower of Germany and the symbol of patriotism, but it will never be forgotten why he loved it, aDd the beautiful and touching story possesses ever new interest when told in his own words. Finding how many incorrect versions were spread about to account for his fondness for the simple field flower, the aged kaiser related the following pathetic incident: "As my mother fled with myself and my deceased brother from Memel to Konigsberg during the tronblons times at the beginning of our century, the misforttme happened to us that one of the wheels of our coach broke in the midst of the plain. No village was within reach, and we seated ourselves on the edge of the ditch while the damage was being repaired as well as circumstances would permit. My brother and I were rendered both tired and hnngry by this delay, and particular ly I, beingaweak and delicate little f ellow, gave roy dear mother much trouble with my complaints. In order to distract our thonghts, my mother stood up, pointed out the many beautiful blue flowers in the fields and requested us to gather theru aud briug them to her. Then she made wreaths of them, and with joy wewatched her skillful hands. Thereby the sad state of the country, her own trials and the anxiety concerning her sons' future mayweil have once more pressed heavily on my mother's heart, for slowly tear after tear welled from her beantiful eyes and feil on the wreath of cornflowers. This emotion of my devoted mother went deeply to my heart, and, forgetting my own childish sorrow, I attempted to console her with caresses, during whioh she placed the blue wreath, glittering with tears, on my head. I was then 10 years old, but this touching sceae has neverfaded frota my memory, and if now, in my old age, I Jbehold the sweet blue flower, I imagine I see the tears of the most devoted of mothers shining npon it and therefore love it above all others. "