Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-05-05
ROMANCE In REAL LIFE.
Strangely Interesting Career OF =
Young American Becoming a
Kings Fayorite


spondent writes: Almost like fairy
tale reads the recent experience of
Richard NJ. jackson, late consular
clerk and vice consul IN the United
States consulate at Stuttgart, Germany,
whose sudden transition from the dull
routine of labors in consuls Office, to
be not only the privy counsellor, but
the favorite and intimate companion
of the king of Wurtenburg, has been a
nine days wonder, and has probably
caused more talk and speculation in
the kingdom of Wurtenburg, and in
fact throughout all Germany, than any
event that has happened for years.
That this rather strange procedure on
the part of the king to select for such
an important and trusty position as
that of privy counsellor young Amer
lean, an almost entire stranger, should
have created an immense amount Of
comment, and engendered much feel
ing and jealousy in German society,
was but natural, for the position was
of that high order, as court minister,
that it was coveted by thousands of
aspiring Germans-Germans high in
rank, high in social position, and Ger
mans with the blue blood of royalty
flowing in their veins. Before proceed
ing further with my story, short BIZ
ographical sketch of Mr.. jackson will
not come amiss at this point. He is a
native OF Steubenville, Ohio, and is
thirty five years of age. His father,
who was farmer. was a relative,
first or second cousin, ] believe,
of the famous Stonewall Jackson.
Like most farmers sons young Jackson
passed his early years on the old home
stead, tilling the soil during the sum-
mer moths, and in the winter attend
ing the village school, where by close
application to his studies, he became
an excellent scholar, aud laid the found
alton of what promised to be bril-
liant and useful life in the future. He
afterward entered one of the Ohio uni
versities, and continued his studies
with success for season, but, having
a great passion for music, and wishing
to visit Europe, he left college without
graduating, and came to Stuttgart, in
Germany, where he entered the con-
servatory of music, which has made
the Wurtemburg capital so famous.
Here he made rapid progress as a
pianist, and by hard, diligent study
soon acquired the German language so
to speak it fuently and to write it with
out hesitation.
1t was in April last that the king
first, through the medium of CORE
spondence, invited Mr. jackson to be a
member of the royal court of Wurtem-
burg. The proposition was great sur
prise to Mr.. Jackson, whose only ac-
quaintance with his majesty was by
occasionally meeting him in the streets
or in the park, on which occasions he
would politely raise his hat, and his
majesty would as politely return
the salute. The proposition, al
though so tempting and ac-
companied with the kings earnest
wishes of its acceptance and the prom
Use of many courtly favors in the flu
ture was at first hesitatingly entertain
ed, nor was it accepted until after sew
eral weeks of careful deliberation, and
the signing, on the part of each,
of sundry important and careful
ly worded documents. Several person
al interviews were held in making ar
rangements, in addition to the cores
pondencc that was going on, at each of
which the kings interest in the young
American rapidly increased, and, to Sc
cure his presence as member Of this
court and as a personal companion, he
was willing to bestow on him the high
est honors of his realm. OF course it
all ended in Mr. Jackson's resigning his
vice-consulship and his clerkship in the
consulate, and at once entering upon d
new career. One pleasant morning in
May last, one Of the royal coaches from
the kings stables, with coachmen
and footmen resplendent in royal liv-
cry, was seen standing in front of Mr..
Jackson's modest boarding-ho A
large crowd gathered in the streets and
on the sidewalks to see for whom it was
in waiting Was it for the king himself
or some member of the royal family {?
In few minutes Mr. Jackson makes
his appearance and takes seat in the
coach, the footmau closes the door with
much ceremony, the driver cracks his
long whip over the backs of the hand
some blooded horses, and the young
American-who is now an Ameri-
can no longer, having renowned
his nationality and sworn al
legiance to the king of Wurtemburg
and the emperor of Germany-is borne
away to his new home in the royal pal
ace. An elegant suite Of five apart
ments, luxuriously and splendidly fur
nished, are awaiting him. Footmen,
Wallets and servants, gorgeous in their
scarlet liverias, with gold and silver
lace trimmings, are in readiness to wait
upon him and to run at every beck and
nod. Surely was ever fairy tale more
fully realized than this And Mr.. Jack
son did not enter upon this new life
for few days or few weeks or few
years, but for life, with handsome an
nual stipend guaranteed-nlore than
sufficient to meet all his requirements.
There being no vacancy in the court of
Wurtemburg the position of ''reader to
his majesty was created, to meet the
emergency, for the first time in this
court. But two other of the crowned
heads of Europe have court readers
Queen Victoria and the emperor of
Germany-and the creating of this new
Office in the court of Wurtemburg for
Mr.. jackson was considered an excep-
tional honor and compliment. He had
not been long installed in his new posi-
ton before court reeognitions and ia
vors began to flow in upon him.
The king of Holland, lifelong
friend and brother-in-law of the king Of
Wurtemburg, presented him the
knights Cross Of the Golden Lion of
Nassau"-the order Of tie house of
Luxedburg. The king of Saxony who
was visiting his royal colleague in SUIT
CART, was so highly pleased with the
young American that he bestowed up
on him the knights Gross of the AL
bert's Order" The Emperor Franz
Joseph, of Austria, who was staying
with the king of Wurtemburg for q
few days at the latter's country palace
at Friedrichshafen, on Lake Constance,
become so interested in his royal
friends protege that he invested him
with the very ancient "Order OF the
Iron Crown of Austria" one of the
highest and most honorable gifts that
the Austrian monarch can confer on a
subject. During the month Of August
the king made Mr.. jackson his privy
councillor, and conferred upon him the
title of ''Geheimer Hofrath," and on
the 18th of September-the birthday
of Queen 0iga-he gave him the
knights Cross of the Crown Of Wur-
temburg." Since this last gift Mr..