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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1956-08-16, Page 6The Big Knife Bitter-sweet is the secret dove story of Marie Antoinette, the lovely Queen of France, and in- tensely romantic the story of the package of mysterious let- ters, found long after her death. Poets wrote odes to Marie Antoinette's beauty. A painter's Taney led him to place her por- trait in the heart of a full-blown rose, But these mysterious let- ters, with their burning mes- sages, were vastly different from the vapid compliments of the elegant, superficial court. Every word seemed charged with pas. sion and devotion. Each letter was written with so perfect a discretion that a stranger might have read them and been none the wiser. Why should Marie Antoinette lock them away with her jewels and her most secret papers, regarding each letter as a jewel in itself? Perhaps even a queen finds solace in the knowledge that one person loves her in the world, and Marie Antoinette may have tenderly repeated a name over end over to herself in the dark watches of the night. Count Axel Fersen! Count Axel Fersen! The signature of the letter came back to her as she sat in the gardens of the Louvre, in the moonlight, while musicians made sweet music and all Paris Blustered outside the gates. It must have seemed a mad world to Marie Antoinette on the day when she looked from her windows at Versailles to see red fires flowing in the courtyard, sinister shadows surrounding them and, outlined by the flames, the crooked caps of the revolu- 6lonaries. Then a pageboy came running to her, with a strangely imperative note from Count Axel Fersen. "I beseech you to see me. You are in grave danger!" "Bid your master know the Queen of France is never in danger," Marie Antoinette cried in imperious tones. Hardly had she spoken than a roar came from the courtyard, the sudden clash of steel against steel, In that instant, too, the tapestry against the wall was thrust on one side and a man stood there. "Madame -Majesty - at your service! I regret the necessity for this intrusion. You are alone?" "And you are Count Axel Fersen?" There was no need of answer. Re was tall, fine and manly, and his eyes sombre. "I beg you to place a cloak around you ma'am, There are secret passages and byways. Your sentries cannot withstand this mob." "Yet there are many men to guard the Queen of France." 'PASTE AND GET PAID FOR IT - For a job in good taste, try this Phyllis Tomore is required to eat on the job by her employer. A professional steak taster, she tastes and grades broiled sam- ples of beef to be quick-frozen for market. "At present," he answered, "there is only one man to guard the woman I love," His arms were about her as his cloak encircled her shoul- ders. His eyes, glowing and strange, looked deep into hers. "I cannot leave my husband my children," she whispered. He paid no heed. "This door, Ma'am, We shall cheat them" She was still reluctant, and he half -carried, half -pulled her. He closed his eyes, stooped, kissed her hand, "I am at your service, Majesty - but remem- ber!" Did she remember? As . the royal carriage returned to Paris that fatal dawn, the mob about it, as she Looked in fear from her window and saw the heads of her termer guards borne aloft on pikes, did she see Count Axel following not far behind? When she heard from her ladies that the rioters had stabbed her mat- tress and set fire to the hangings in attempts to find her hiding place, she knew that the Count had saved her life. The first wave of revolution rolled away. Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI were again in Paris, in the palace, in comfort, comparatively unperturbed - b still came those gentle let- ters from Count Axel Fersen, and still Marie Antoinette, read- ing between the lines, could trace the aspirations of an un- dying love. The storm was again rising fast when he once again offered her escape, this time for her husband and children as well as herself. And at midnight two hooded children, with a thick -set figure and a lady in a gipsy hat, en- tered the waiting coach and were driven away. Rattle, rattle over the cobbles of Paris -but was this the right way? Flurried by the occasion, the courier had turned left and not right. Valu- able minutes were lost before he could retrace the way. Outside the gates the Count was waiting. They were late. Bad they been discovered? Long past the appointed time the refugees arrived. The Queen, safe after perils, gave him a smile before she entered the second carriage. The children followed, and lastly the king. But the sleeping Paris was awakening and enemies were coming fast behind them. Marie Antoinette, jogging and swaying in the carriage, did not know that overnight, during this ad- venture, her hair was whitening. At a distant village another coach was waiting and horses ready ordered. It was the work of an instant for the royal party to change. coaches and for Fer- sen to bow in a lowly, silent adieu. In the dewy dawn the pos- tilions vaulted into the saddles and were off - and with them went the Queen. But it already too late to do more to serve them when the next news reached the Count. The flight of the royal party was discovered due to that wrong turning in Paris. The coaches were turned back at Varennes. It was another dewy dawn, and this time a different coach carried Marie Antoinette and the King over the cobbles of Paris while the streets were hushed and still. There were only beat- ing drums and a double row of troops all along the road, men and women hushed behind them. A braggart cried, "Down with tyranny!" and Marie Antoinette looked up at a tricolour streamer blowing from a housetop. She faced the guillotine with courage enough; her head fell; the executioner showed it to the people. .And to Count Axel Fersen that evening was brought a packet conta' g a lock of hair and the words, "In remembrance from one who has not forgotten -Marie Antoinette," CROSS • V O PUZZLE 5. Sun god D 6. First born 7. Scraped linen 8. weary 9. Chine -e mile 10. Aim high ,11. Gay 13. Ocean ACIte-)SS 46. Chuckle and 17. Toward the 1. Old card snort stern game 45. Mountain 20. Prevaricator 4. P.efore _ chain 21. Tropical tree 23. Level 24. StoPpor 26. Flesh of swine 27. Astringent 28, Composition for one preilx7 40.,.nop 7. Suring flower 80. Tree 12.on DOWN. '14. O6 Of Erin Erin 1. Color 1n. Adjust again. 2. Anointed 16. cnwhole- 3. Meditated comely moist 4, Place 18. Hebrew letter 19. Supplication 20, Not right 21. Crusted dish 2z. Guided 33. Clenched hand 24. Young salmon 95. Short for a man's name 34. Plan of a town site 517. Narrow back street 38. Fly high 29. Low section of a city 80. Pun 82. Gastropod 33, Concerning 80. Utter words 06.2'at0 over llghtiy 87. Footlike part 38. Past 99. Froloend 40. tipper room of a barn 41. As far as 42. Fingerless love 43. farts name 44. Unpopularity 21, Lose tooting 30. Stationary part 31. Towel -111,e £t ruuture 22. F.011g" firert 33. Make full again 24, High reward 30 Series of tennis games 37. Turkish ,Dort 39. Silver coin 40. Kind of ape 42. Drinking vessel 47. Cut down 46. At home 47. That man 1 2 3 `6 t 5 6 ;'`;_ 7 8 9 l0 u 12 �Qr a wm..pi., 83..... �`'.r.'Sl�7G:lti©t� :: vizai ti'ii "`- 14 ®o©o ' ©up oo ®ud:®©a ©J�y '1©®Q-• MODEVEOMMWMW AQoo ©I3©EU IS - l6 17 ,,e.:,:,:,, 18 /9 T 7 20 ' 2/ 22 5,..Q 23 '`��`v 24 25_.. F26 �l` \ti29 .5`ctii3 �U ti3 ��34 35 31 ,���,..:2,‘,‘,. t\\ 32 33 3M 30 36' t,�kn'•„ s 32 38 2:f 39 .�L`::;. 4° 48 1642 4' s.:i 43 44 43' 31. 46 47 48 , bY�,, .a` 49 o,&, 6.28 so Answer e sewhere on this page: PUT ANOTHER TWOPENCE IN - It's the world's oldest jukebox with a built-in brass section. Ann Dunn holds a kingsized ,.re- cord for the "polyphon," made in Leipzig, Germany, over 120 years ago. The polyphon still produces music for patrons in a London, England, restaurant. When. a coin is deposited in the side of the machine, the brass disc rotates, striking keys in music -box fashion. TABLE TALKS dam Andttews ��.iti4rr-rA+rt_ Easy to carry and satisfying to eat - that's sandwiches! Fillings, of course, are what give variety, interest, and an element of adventure to the two slices of bread that enclose them. Whatever fillings you use, remember these simple pointers for making your sandwiches better. Use softened butter for easier spreading; spread to the very edges of both slices of bread to keep fillings from soak- ing into the bread. Be generous with fillings - a skimpy sandwich hasn't a friend in the world! Have your fillings moist and well flavored, but do not have them oozy, ever. If you are using lettuce, wrap it separately and add it at the very last minute. Wrap gar- nishes also - crisp carrot and celery strips, ripe and stuffed olives, pickles, etc. o m a EGG -SALAD -OLIVE SANDWICH FILLING 6 hard -cooked eggs, chopped 2 tablespoons sliced, stuffed olives 3t cup mayonnaise or salad dressing 1/a teaspoon onion salt V teaspoon salt Dash pepper 2/ teaspoon dry mustard I/ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Combine all ingredients and spread on bread Makes 10. O 8, B Combine chicken with ham for this filling for 10 sand- wiches, CHICKEN -HAM SAND- WICH FILLING 1 cup diced, cooked chicken 1 cup finely chopped, cooked ham 4e, cup chopped celery 3/4cup mayonnaise or salad dressing 3 tablespoons p-cpared horse- radish 1 teaspoon lemon juice Combine all ingredients and spread on bread. Makes 10, * h o Try these baked cheese sand- wiches. If you desire, sprinkle finely diced ham over bottom slice of bread, or you may top each sandwich with sliced pine- apple or cranberry sauce. BARED CHEESE SANDWICH 4 slices cheese 8 slices buttered bread 1 teaspoon mustard 1 egg 2!' pups milk 1 teaspoon paprika 1 tea:peen salt 1/ t.ea.:poon pepper 1, se• e eieets from bread, if rde,.:slake 4 cheese sand- wieher, with bread, cheese and rnu tied. Place in bottom of buttered baking dish Beat egg, add milk, paprika, salt and ver andwiches, Bake at 350° Fer. Pour mixture . for 40 minutes. 'Remove from oven and place under broiler until sandwiches are golden brown. Serve hot. e o e Another sandwich to serve hot is this tuna souffle baked sandwich. TUNA SOUFFLE SANDWICH 8 slices white bread 1 cup flaked tuna (7 -ounces) 1/ cup finely chopped celery 1/4 cup.: finely chopped green pepper z/ cup shredded Canadian cheese: 11/4 cups milk 8 eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon paprika Trim crusts from bread. Place 4 slices in a greased 8 -inch square baking dish. Combine tuna, celery, and green pepper and spread over slices of bread: Sprinkle cheese over all. Top with remaining 4 slices of bread, Combine milk, eggs, and salt, mixing well. Pour over sandwiches. Sprinkle with pap- rika. Bake at 325° F. 40 minutes Serve hot, * e Combine honey with peanut butter for sandwiches that the children on the picnic will like. HONEY PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICHES I/ cup peanut butter 1/2 cup honey 2 teaspoons shredded orange rind / cup chopped ripe banana 12 slices bread Butter 6 lettuce leaves Blend peanut butter, honey, and orange rind until smooth. Add banana and mix lightly un- til blended. Spread bread with butter and then spread 6 slices with peanut butter mixture. Place lettuce on each sandwich and top with remaining slices of bread. Here is another filling • that may find takers among the younger set in your family. RAISLN-EGG-CARROT FILLING I/ cup seedles raisins, chopped 2/3 cop bard -cooked eggs, chopped 1/8 cup grated raw carrot 1/ cup chopped sweet pickle 1/ teaspoon prepared mustard % cup salad dressing Combine all ingredients. Makes 7 sandwiches. Do you know the difference between resin and rosin The resin is the crude turpentine exuded by various pine, fir and larch trees, which is distilled to separate the oil of turpentine from the solid matter. The solid matter that remains is' called rosin. It comes in hard, brittle lumps and has many industrial and other uses. Garden Party At Buckingham GardenGarden parties at Bucking- ham Palace have been much democratized since World War II. But they still retain an at- mosphere quite out of the or- dinary. This applies right from the time the invitation arrivesin a large white envelope with the royal crest on it and a post- mark which reads "Lord Cham- berlain, St. James's Palace," The card inside is very grand and has the rather surprising inscription: "The Lord Cham- berlain is commanded by Her Majesty to invite you to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace (weather permitting)." Use of this word "command" conjures up a picture of the Queen in stern -mood, like the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. One imagines her. sitting at her desk biting the end of her pencil and saying to a timid and worried Lord Chamberlain, "See that you get those Lynes along to the party this year," writes Peter Lyne in "The Christian Science Moni- tor. When the Lynes received their invitation they put it in the center of the mantelshelf for all to admire. Mrs. Hall, the daily help, admired it most of all. In this same week she had been marrying off her daughter and was inclined to go senti- mental . over invitation cards. Unfortunately while she was fondling our card she somehow let it slip down a crack between the mantelshelf and the fire - back. The Lynes, having just moved into a house, have been so busy fixing their new garden that they haven't yet got around to doing all the jobs in- side the house which should be done. So here was a nice kettle of fish, as the London cockney would put it. It just wasn't pos- sible to regain the invitation card short of a major building operation to remove the whole fireplace. It is well-known that the Palace authorities are most unwilling to provide duplicate invitations. But it then dawned on us that there had been something else inside the Lord Chamberlain's envelope beside the invitation. Yes, sure enough, tucked away inside a large yellow car -park sticker there were two separate admission cards to be given up at the Palace Gates. It was all the pleasanter af- ter this adventure to be walk- ing through the Palace Gates with crowds of watching Lon- doners pressed against the rail- ings. We joined a long queue in the courtyard which was threading its way through the hall and through a magnificent reception room out onto the great lawns. We started to admire the ladies' creations. The men were mostly in tail coats and gray top hats. But there were lounge suits too. And some wonderful attires from the colonial empire. A trade union leader from Afri- ca, for instance, was arrayed in what looked like a green bath- robe and a straw hat with a huge peacock feather in it, We were told that there were more Upsidedown to Prevent Peeking MINUME �'='-i©RIoo WWW0 mumaNnweir ©!J J' I41©ei'z o ©7©ri;:: r` maga imuu �Qr a wm..pi., a i�©r©��+ o �`'.r.'Sl�7G:lti©t� :: vizai ti'ii ©©I�Il1 u rh _+• mICCJ7 ®o©o ' ©up oo ®ud:®©a ©J�y '1©®Q-• MODEVEOMMWMW AQoo ©I3©EU mumumAmmomon visitors from the Common- wealth among the 8,500 guests than there were Britons. It was fun when we met a friend who said, "That's a smart tail coat of yours - looks like a Savile Row cut." It was fun because the coat happened 10 come from the United States in a wartime "Bundles for Bri- tain" parcel. It belonged to a kindly lecturer with commend- able foresight. At the time it didn't appear to have much connection with the war. But in the end it has given .tremend- ous satisfaction to a• grateful Londoner. The practice at PaIaee garden parties is for the guests to form into several long avenues on the lawns. Down' these avenues saunter the various inembers of the royal family accompa- nied by gentlemen ushers who introduce a celebrity here, a debutante there. From time tO time the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh, or the Queen Moth- er or Princess Margaret, or Princess Alexandra take the initiative themselves to chat with someone they recognize. Bands play; the lawns are green and velvety soft; the flower beds are a picture; there - is a pane of glass wants fixing in one of the greenhouses just to make one feel more at home; the royal wheelbarrows are painted in pastel tints but have no royal crest on them. The re freshments are most wticome. While waiting in the' avenue down which the Queen Mother was walking we were told an amusing story about that much loved royal figure. The story was about curtsying, The Queen Mother, it seems, was inspecting a girls' •gymna- sium class. The instructress was remarkingapologetically that. curtsying in gym briefs must look rather silly to Her Majesty. "Don't worry about that," said the Queen Mother. "You should have seen what happen- ed when I was fishing for salm- on in the River Dee one day. I came across a lady in waders fishing near the opposite bank. She felt it necessary to curtsy to me - with disastrous re- sults." When the Queen Mother came our way and all the ladies curt- sied, I had a job to stop burst- ing out with laughter at the thought of that story. DYNAMITE DAME - Explosive i the word for Italy's bang -u; beauty, screen star Sophia Loren She's sitting pretty on a movie prop near Madrid, Spain, when "The Pride and the Passion" i being filmed. • PLIGHT INTO FREEDOM - Hungarian refugees are shown in Ingolstadt, Germany, beside the plane in which they fled from Hungary. Anti-Communist passengers seized control of the plane and landed it at an ,American -controlled airfield some 50 miles north of Munich. They fought fiercely in the air with the crew and other passengers in order to gain their freedom.