“What is that!” cried the colonel in great excitement. “From the King of Prussia, did you say?” and he gazed with astonishment at the good monarch’s gift. With awe he lifted the first glass to his thirsty lips, thinking to himself, “This is from the King of Prussia,” but as the last drop disappeared he shouted aloud in a burst of enthusiasm, “Long live King William!” * * * * * * * * One day during the siege of Paris, as the King was visiting the outposts, he discovered a fusileer deeply absorbed in a letter, his weapon on the ground at his feet and apparently quite oblivious to his duties. Roused by the sound of hoofs and recognizing his commander-in-chief, he hastily dropped the letter, took up his gun, and presented arms. The King rode up to him and said, smiling: “A letter from the sweetheart at home, no doubt, my son!” “No, sire,” replied the terrified soldier; “it is from my mother.” Somewhat doubtful of the truth of these words, the King looked sternly at him and asked to see it. “Certainly, Your Majesty,” replied the soldier, and quickly picking up the letter he handed it to his chief. The King read it through, glanced kindly at the fusileer, and told his adjutant to take the man’s name, then rode on. The letter _was_ from the man’s mother, telling of his sister’s approaching marriage and the sorrow of all there that he could not be present. The next day the fusileer was ordered to appear before his captain, and he obeyed the summons with an anxious heart, thinking to himself, “Now I am undone! This means at least eight days’ arrest for neglect of duty.” Great was his surprise, therefore, when the captain informed him that by the King’s orders he had been granted fourteen days’ leave to attend his sister’s wedding, and that free transportation there and back would be furnished him. The overjoyed soldier was soon on the train bound for his distant home, where a joyous welcome waited his unexpected arrival. When the wedding guests heard the story of the letter, they all clinked glasses joyfully and drank to the King’s health with a rousing cheer. * * * * * * * * A grenadier of the First Regiment of Guards was also one of the gardeners at Babelsberg. The Emperor arriving there unexpectedly one day, this man was sent to accompany him about the park to point out the various improvements. The Emperor was much pleased with his intelligent conversation, but presently noticed that he began to be very uneasy and even looked at the time, which was not considered proper in the presence of the sovereign. “What is the matter, young man?” he asked.