The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-11-07
THE NEW KING OF SWEDEN


The number of eccentric monarchs In
Europe has been increased by the acces,
sion of King Oscar IL of Sweden and
Norway. Like nearly every member OF
the illustrious house from which he has
sprung, the new Scandinavian Is nigh
" gifted man, and in spite OF the stormy
youth through which he has passed, ana
of the peculiarly hayward temper which
he has exhibited on many occasions, the
people of the two northern Kingdoms look
forwark to his reign with the confident
expectation that the liberties of the coun-
try will be safe IN his hands, and that he
will perform his arduous task successful
ly.
The history of King Oscar up to the
present time is full of the most interest
ing incidents. He was precocious child,
and would have been the pride and de-
light of his teachers but for his hayward
disposition. His father, Oscar L., was a
great disciplinarian, and insisted that his
two sons should be treated by their teach
ers with the same severity as ordinary
schoolboys. He himself would examine
their compositions after school hours !;
and, when he found they were not salts
factory, he would administer with his
own hands the required correction. Hav-
ing received several rather painful casti-
cations in this manner, the young Oscar,
In his twelfth year, ran away from home,
and succeeded in finding his way to Co
penhagen, where the emlssarles OF his
distressed parents found him playing In
the streets at marbles with some little
ragamuhins. No European Prince ever
presented more ludicrous aspect than
young Oscar when he was thus found,
barefooted and his clothes soiled and torn
Bet he asserts to the present day that he
enjoyed himself gloriously during that
brief absence from home.
In his seventeenth YER he was sent to
the University of Upsala, where he took
| part in all the practical jokes, OF which
the students at that ancient seat OF learn
ing are so fond. After remaining there
about six months, he shocked his royal
father by cody informing him that he had
fallen desperately in love with the daugh-
ter of one of the University professors,
and was determined to marry her.
| As matter Of course, King Oscar
would not permit this; and the young
| man was recalled to Stockholm, where
he was not long in becoming very popular
by his unaffected manners, and by the
simplicity of his conc uct He delighted
in walking through the streets of Stock
holm after nightfall In an humble suit Of
clothes and many an act Of brutality on
| the part of the police was prevented and
| by his gallant and timely Intervention.
He was also invariably present at fires
in the capital, and nothing could prevent
| him from working on such occasions with
| the utmost vigor at the engines.
| In 1880 ha and U0un0 friend OF
similar disposition made an excursion tc
| Christiana in Norway. They travelled
incognito, and registered assumed names
at second class hotels. Strolling after
| dark through the streets of the city they
unfortunately we're attacked by a gane
Of robbers, who knocked them down anC
rihed their pocket. Without cent in
their pockets the two distinguished gen.
tlemen returned to their hotel. Mex
morning the landlord presented his bill
to them. They confessed that they had
NO money, owing to their mishap the
night before. The landlord utterly re
fused to believe their story and threat
ened to invoke the interference of the
police. Vainly did they try to dissuade
him from the purpose, but, rushing from
the room, he not only locked them il
but placed at the door a stalWart porte,
armed with a club.
The position in which the future KING
of Sweden was placed was 80 ludicrous
that he could not help bursting into a
peal of laughter. When the irate land
lord finally reappeared and brought two
policemen with him. the two gentlemen
explained who they were, but they hac
some difficulty in establishing theil
identy.
When the Court of Stockholm select
ed German princess as consort of the
hayward Oscar, the latter went secretly
to Lubbock, and in disguise, travelled
with her on the steamer that conveyed
her from that port to Stock holm, watch
ing his intended bride with the closes
attention. What he saw of her satisfied
him that she was an excellent youn.
woman, and he has ever since proved al
affectionate husband to her.
The people of Stockholm know man,
other amusing stories about the eccen
tricities of their young King but the,
know, also, that he warmly sympathize
with the people, aud they are convinced
that his reign will be prosperous ant
beneficial to the country.
NEWSPAPAES.