The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-12-25
An Invisible Prince.

.H.lF E. .
It was one of the fancies OF Joseph H., En-
peror OF Austria, 10 travel about his domin-
ions, as well as into foreign countries, in the
garb of private citizen, unattended by any
suite By so doing, he arrived at many facts,
regarding the condition of his subjects, which
otherwise mi ght never have fallen under his
observation. His love for adventure was also
gratifed, and he enjoyed greatly the luxury OF
doing good by surprise ar eccentricity OF his,
out ofwhich many anecdotes have arisen.
While travelling through remote district,
in the year llSl, he heard sounds OF iestivity
proceeding from q roadside 1nn; entering
which, he inquired of the landlord what the
occa ion of the revels might be-. ltli-
"There is weddingparty in the house, sir"
replied tie hsst. l-....t..- i.
MAY | take the liberty of joining them ?"-
asked the Emperor, whose personal appear
ance was unknown to the inhabitants of the
place; for the modern carte de oisite had not
yet even been dreamed Of and engravings but
seldom found their way to the remoter vii
lagos. trt .ot. st..,asosg
The landlord obtained the necessary per-
mission, and the distinguished stranger was
introduced to the bridal party. Being man
of great social gifts, he quickly found himself
very popular with them, drank the health of
the happy couple in a bumper of wine, and
made what the reporters call "neat and ap-
propriate speech" on the occasion. After
some time, he took leave OF his new acquaint-
ances, whose establishment may be guessed at
when they found, under bottle on the table,
check for SIX hundred forms, payable at
sight, signed by the Emperor Joseph H., and
endorsed "a dowry for the BRIDE"
Travelling In plain carriage on one occa-
sion, upon tlA good old-fashioned principle
called @posting,"-that is, hiring fresh horses
at certain stages by the way,-the emperor ar
rived at station where no horses were to be
had The innkeeper excused himself by say
ing that his wife had lately presented him with
son, and that all his horses were employed in
fetching friends and relatives of the family
from all quarters to assist at the christening,
which was to take place that afternoon. The
royal visitor at once rendered his services 10
hold the infant at the sacred tont; an offer
which was gladly accepted by the innkeeper,
VINO was quite battered ct the idea OF a fine
gentleman acting in thrt capacity for him, in
stead OF the buriy bumpkin-a relative of the
fanily-who had already engaged TO do so.-.
When the proper time arrived, the priest asked
the sponsor to state his name.
''Joseph,p replied the emperor. g
"And your family name?"
"Well," said the emperor, "you may put me
down Joseph Second"
"Bat it viii be necessary to add your station
sab, yes! my trade you mean: say that
am an emperor, then" a a.aaet
There was instantly sensation among the
guest, and the poor innkeeper nearly went in
to fit, through iii yht; but the emperor quick
ly treasured MIN, and left some substantial
tokens OF goodwill for his little godson before
taking leave. L
Oace he was expected to pass through a
small town in France, and the, good people
were on tptoe to see the emperor. 1t so hap
pened that he arrived there alone, and before
any of his suite. The landlady of the little
hcstelrie where he put up, being gossiping
sort OF old body, put all sorts OF questions to
him to find out whether he belonged
to the emperoTS suite, and the way In which
ne parted convinced her that he did. At last
as sne brought him some hot water for shaw
ing, unable 70 control her curiosity any longer,
she asked the stranger boldly, what kind OF a
situation he held about the emperor.
Il sometimes shave him." he replied, lath-
ering his chin with great composure.
When at Paris, he once hired carriage to
take him to the Luxembourg Gardens. As he
was on his way, the driver expressed much
satisfaction at being engaged to go there; say
ing that the Emperor Joseph was to be expect
ed to be at the garden that very day, and that
he should like above all things to see him,
hoping that he might arrive there in time
The stranger assured him that there was no
danger OF Une emperor arriving there before
they did, and On being set down at the gate,
handed him piece OF money wrapped up in
paper. On opening the wrapper the driver
found that he had received a double louis, and,
running after the stranger, showed it to him,
saying ne must have made mistake. Pleased
with this proof Of honesty in man whose
calling is not usually named in connection
with that virtue, the emperor desired him to
keep the golden coin and the man struck with
surprlse,-fo many OF the passengers now
recognized and saluted the stranger-went
back to his carriage, exclaimins,-
"lt'5 the emperor himself: have seen the
empeIorw -u t5saa
Wandering in the neigborhood OF Rome
once, the emperor stopped to refresh himself
at an Inn, and asked the landlord whether
there was any traveller staying there at the
tl.Ie who would give him the pleasure Of his
company. There was reverend bishop there,
the landlord said; but he was fatigued with
his Journey, and had retired to rest. The sec
rotary of the bishop was, however, awake
Hould nlscompany be acceptable to the strang- |
er? Certainly it would; and so the secretary
was introduced, "a clever, witty man who par
took OF bottle of wine with the lonely strang.
er, aad entertained him greatly with bis talk. |
The emperor, still preserving his incognito, |
sounded the good priest with regard to the OBJ.
ject of the bishops visit to the Holy See,
"He went there" replied the secretary. "to
apply for vacant benefce, although a yery
aged man, and although In possession Of n1-
merous church preferp,en This gift he
hoped to obtain though the good offices Of
the Austrian arabassador, TO whom he had
letters OF RECOMMENDATION"
Inc emperor pleased with the manners
and conversation of the secretary, gave
MIN q Io4t nfi 1,tr 20 fIa
bassador, who, he said, might be able to serve
him in one way or another. Shortly after his
arrival at Rome the secretary bethought him |
OF this letter, and presented it, without imag-
1nlne, however, that it would be OF immediate |
service TO him. Great was his surprise, then,
when informed by the ambassador that the
letter was an autograph one of Joseph IL, de-
slrlnS nun 10 OBTAIN for the secretary the benz
eice sought for by the avaricious bishop.
A reDud, at winch the emperor was much
amused, was once experienced by him in Hol |
land. Having heard much oil the extreme
cleanliness of the villages in that country. he
wished to see the interior of one of their
houses, at the doors of several OF which he
knocked, without seeming to arouse any of
the inmates.
At last door was opened, and he request
ed permission Of the master of the house to en-
ter.
Il hear the Emperor Joseph IS expected In
iowa to day" said the Dutchman; ''but, were
yo'. ...le emperor himself, / could not let you
in without first obtaining leave from my wife,"
II am the emperor, them" said he, display
ing the diamond star on the breast OF his in
ner coat.
Thereupon the Dutchman went in great
haste to his wife, and begged her to admit the
royal stranger to view OF the premises; but
she only said,-
"Bein{ an emperor, as he is, we could not
expect him to take off his shoes at the door;
and into this house he doesn't come one step
with them on, emperor or not"
And the door was shut in his face