The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1872-10-15
CAIRO BULLETIN.
A MODERN " PRINCE HAL"
THE NEW KING or swEDEN--wAYwARD
YOUTH AND USPBiSCELY FREAKS.
From the New York Post


YOUTH AND USPBiScELY FREAKS.
From the New York Post.l
The number of excentric monsrchs in
Europe has been increased by the Access
sion Of King Oscar III. of Sweden and Nor.
way. Like nearly every member Of the
house from which be has sprung, the new
| Scandinavian ruler is q gifted man. Dur
ing one Of the most important debates on
the reform Of the election laws in the
Swedish house Of lords he related with
pride the remarkable answer which his
grand father had given TO the French his
torian, Ampere, during visit which the
latter had paid him at the royal palace in
Stockholm. Ampere had expressed hi.
surprise at the simplicity Of his reception
at the hands Of King Bernsdot,e. "Oh,"
replied the latter, laughing, "that is moth
ing What am j but republican on
the throno?'
The history of King Oscar up to the
present time is full Of interesting incl
dents. His father, Oscar l., was a great
discipinarian, and insisted that his two
sons should be treated by their teachers
with the same severity as ordinary school
boys. He himself would examine their
compositions after school hours; and, when
he found that they were not satisfactory,
he would administer with his own hands
the required correction. Having received
several rather painful castigstions in this
manner, the young Oscar, in his twelfth
year, ran away from home, and succeeded
in finding his way 10 Copenhagen, where
the einissaries Of his parents found him
playing in the street at marbles with some
little ragamufiins. No European prince
ever presented more ludicrous aspect
than young Oscar when be was thus
found, barefooted and his clothes soiled
and torn. But he asserts to the present
day that he enjoyed himself gloriously
during the brief absence from home.
In his seventeenth year he was sent TO
the university Of Upsals where he took
part IN all the practical jokes, of which
the students at the ancient seat of learning
are so fond. After remaining there about
six months he shocked his royal father by
coolly informing him that he had fallen
desperately in love with the daughter Of
one of the university professors, and was
determined TO marry her.
As n matter of course, King Oscar would
not permit this and the young man was
recalled 10 Stockholm, where he was not
long in becoming very popular by his IN
affected manners, and by the simplicity Of
has conduct. He delighted in walking
through the streets of Stockholm after
nightfall in an humble suit Of clothes, and
many an act Of brutality on the part Of
the police was prevented by his gallant
and timely Intervention. He was also in
variably present At fires ia the capital,
and nothing could prevent him from
working on such occasions with the utmost
yigor at the engines.
In 1852, he and young friend Of sim.
liar disposition made an excursion TO
Chri,tiana, in Norway. They travelled
incognito, and registered assumed names
at second-class hotels. Strolling after
dark through the streets Of the city they
unfortunately were attacked by gang OF |
robbers, who knocked them down and |
raed their pockets. Without a
cent in their pockets the tYo !
distinguished gentlemen returned
TO their hotel. Next morning
the landlord presented his bill to them. |
They confessed they had no money, owing !
TO their mishap the night before. The |
landlord utterly refused TO believe their !
story and threateEed TO invoke the inter- |
ference Of the police. Vainly did they
try 10 dissuade him from his purpose, but |
rushing out of the room, he not only locked |
lneH In Out placed al the door sthIWhrt |
porter armed with club. The position in !
which the future King Of Sweden was
placed was so ludicrous that he could not |
help bursting into peal Of laughter |
When the irste landlord finally appeared |
and brought two policemen with him, the |
two gentlemen explained who they were,
but they had some difficulty in establish
ing their identity.
When the court of Stockholm selected |
German princess as consort Of the way
ward Oscar, the latter went secretly 10 |
Lubbock, AMI, in disguise travelled with |
her on the steamer that conveyed her from |
that port to Stock holm, watching his in
tended bride with the closest attention.
What he saw Of her satisfied him that she !
was an excellent young woman, and he |
has ever since proved an affectonate hus-
band to her.
The people OF Stockholm know many
other amusing stories about the eccentric
titles of their young king; but they know,
also, that he warmly sympathizes with
the people, and they are convinced that
his reign will be prosperous and beneficial
TO the country.