Royalties in a Tight Place.

Otago Witness, Issue 2371, 10 August 1899, Page 63

Royalties in a Tight Place.

A funny story is told concerning two royal personages, the Count of Flanders — brother of the King of the Belgians — and his son Albert. While out hunting they became separated from the rest of the party, and, feeling in need of refreshments, entered a small inn on the outskirts of a forest. After a hearty meal, the Count, discovering he had not a sou, deeired his son to pay for the repast, and then came the unwelcome discovery that the Prince •was in a similar predicament. The hostess, a Flemish vrouw of immense size, regarded her impecunious customers v*ilb unconcealed disgust, and received their protestations and excuses with wrath and contempt. Her feelings were expressed .an a torrent of loud denunciations, until at last, smarting •under such -indignities, the guests proclaimed their identity as the Count of Flanders and Prince Albert; This was too much for the wrathful landlady, who, with withering scorn, observed if that were the case then she was the Empress of China ! Struck by the humour of the situation, their royal highnesses laughed heartily, and were immediately assailed with a torrent of missiles — bread, crockery, and , beer bottles — for the hostess had now lost -all control of herself. Fortunately, at this juncture a- gamekeeper came up, and the impecunious royalties were released from their embarrassing but comical position.