By nivin Right.

Otago Witness, Issue 2734, 8 August 1906, Page 78

By nivin Right.

During the stay of Emperor William I of Germany at the fashionable water-place of Ems, that monarch paid a visit to a large orphan asylum and school that were under Government patronage. The presence of so distinguished a personage created qnite a sensation in the establishment. After listening with much interest to the recitations of several of the classes, his Majesty called to him a bright, flaxen-haired little girl of five or six years of age, and lifting her into his lap, said to her:

"Now, my little Fraulein, let me see how well you have been taught. To what kingdom does this belong?" And taking out of his pocket an orange he held it up to her.

The little girl hesitated a moment, and looking timidly up in the Emperor's face, replied : "To the vegetable kingdom." "Very good, my little JTraulein; and now to what kingdom does this belong?" And lie drew out of his pocket a gold piece and placed it on the orange. Again the little girl hesitated, hut soon replied : **

"'To the mineral kingdom." "Better and better," said the Emperor. "Now, look at me. and say to me what .kingdom I belong." At this question there was an ominous silenoe among the teachers and visitors who were listening witb much interest to the royal catechism. Could she make any other reply than "To the animal kingdom?" The littLe girl hesitated long, as if perplexed as to what answer she would give. Was the Emperor an animal? Her eyes sought those of her teacher and her schoolmates. Then she looked up into the eyes of the aged Emperor, and with a halfstaTtled, frightened look, as if she were evading the question, replied: "To the kingdom of Heaven. The unexpected answer completely upset the equanimity of the old gentleman.