The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-03-17
AN OHIO. BOYS LUCK.
How Misfortune Brought Fortune and u
steubenviIie Boy Became Baron.
STUTTGART Letter TO Boston Herald.

Il
Stuttgart Letter TO Boston Herald.
Almost like fairy tale reads the recent
experience of Richard NJ. jackson, late Con-
sular Clerk and Vice Consul In the United
States Consulate at Stuttgart, Germany,
| whose sudden transition from the dull rou-
tine Of labor in Consuls Office TO be not
only the privy counselor but the favorite
and intimate companion of the King of Wur-
| temburg, has been nine days wonder, and
| has probably caused more talk and specula-
tion In the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, and, In
| fact, throughout all Germany, Than any
event that has happened for years. Mr..
| Jackson Is native Of Steubenville, Ohio,
and is thr.y-fve years of age. His father was
a merchant Of that place and dying while
| his boy was yet child, left a comfortable
| property TO his family. BY close application
| to his studies he became an excellent scholar
aud laid the foundation of what promised TO
be brilliant and useful life. He afterward
entered one Of the Ohio universities and con-
tinued his studies with success for season,
but having q great passion for music and
wishing 10 visit Europe, he left college aud
came TO Stuttgart. Here he made rapid pro-
gress as a pianist, and by hard, diligent study
soon acquired the German language so as TO
speak IL fuently aud 10 write IL without hes
itation. During the progress Of his musical
studies he had the misfortune to fall through
a sidewalk, receiving injuries resulting ia
partial paralysis Of the nerves and cords of
one hand, so that he was unwillingly and 10
his great disappointment obliged TO abandon
his favorite profession which he had planned
and anticipated for his future. Thousands
of miles from his native land and with linn
tied resources, his situation was anything
but cheering or satisfactory. Americans, of
whom there were 400 or 500 in the city, were
anything but favoriies with the people, and
especially with the royal family. Some
young American students at the Conserya-
tory, while ON =" lark the winter pre-
vious, had snowballed the King In one Of
the public parks, as If by accident, and pre-
tending not to knowth distinguished per
sonages whom tney were pelting without
mercy. At another time, under cover OF the
darkness Of night, American students be-
daubed with white paint the beautiful bronze
bas-reliefs surrounding the base Of the mon
umenl In front of the royal palace erected in
memory Of King William, father Of the pres
ent King. Not long after this piece OF van
dalsm, the King was insulted in the street
by Two Americans, one OF whom, on awager,
as 1t afterward proved, crossed the street and
requested permission to light his cigar from
che Havana which the King was smoking--a
favor which His Majesty granted with the
greatest civility. Several other vexatious In
cidents occurred which did not increase the
popularity of the American colony or make
their presence any more desirable In the
Wuremburg capital. So bitter was the feel
ing aud so strong the prejudice among the
people that Mr.. Potter found II very difficult
TO obtain an sffice for the Consulate, or even
apartments for the accommodation OF bis
family. Looking around the American col
pH a
fiji the position Of clerk, he came across Mr..
Jackson, in whom he found the qualifications.
The position was offered him and, of course,
gladly accepted. Nor did 1t prove an unwise
selection. The new clerk, by his gentle
manly department, by his strict integrity, and
by his faithful attention TO the duties as
signed him, soon gained the good will, not
only of his superior officer, but of the people
with whom he came In business or social
| contact. After being in the office little
over q year, and the test proving that Mr..
Jackson's ability and punctuality in the dis
charge of his official duties were all that
could be desired, Mr.. Potter nominated him
for Vice Consul, and he soon after received
the appointment from the President, of the
| United States. At the end Of five years the
public estimation aud opinion In Stuttgart OF
che United States Consulate and the officers
having charge Of the same, seems TO have
undergone change, and the cause which
engendered the prejudices existing against
i;. and Toward Americans generally, were SO
far forgotten that the humble young Ameri-
can was invited to step up from his position
as clerk and Vice Consul and take place OF
honor In the royal court and palaces OF Wur-
temburg. over the heads of many OF the
proud nobility of His Majesty's kingdom.
IL was In April last that the King first,
through the medium Of correspondence,
invited Mr.. Jackson TO be amember OF the
royal court of Wurtemburg. The PROPOSE
tion was a great surprise to Mr.. jackson,
whose only acquaintance with His Majesty
was by occasionally meeting him 10
the streets or in the parks, on which occa-
siops he would politely raise his hat, and
His Majesty would as politely return the sa-
Lutte. The proposition, although so tempt
ing. and accompanied with the Kings ear
nest wishes Of Its acceptance and the prom
iscs of many couitly savors In the future,
was at first hesitattngiy entertained, nor was
il accepted until after several weeks Of care
full deliberation and the signing ON the part
of each of sundry important and carefully
vorded documents. or course, IL all ended
In Mr.. Jackson's resignIng his Vice Consul.
ship and his clerkship In the Consulate, and
~ once entering upon new career. One
pleasant morning in May last, one OF the
royal coaches from the Kings stables, with
coacbman and footman resplendent In royal
livery, was seen standing In front Of Mr..
Jackson's modest boarding-house. large
crowd gathered In the street and on the side
walks to see for whom 1t was IN waiting.
Was II for the King himself, or some mem
ber OF the royal family Ina few minutes
Mr.. Jackson makes his appearance and takes
seat IN the coach. the footman closes the
door with much ceremony, the driver cracks
Ills l0ng whip over the backs OF the band
some blooded horses, and the young Ameri-
r.r--who Is now an American no longer,
having renounced his nationality and sworn
Allegiance to the King Of Wurtembnrg and
the Emperor OF Germany--is borne away 70
his new home In the royal palace. An efe-
caut suite of Ave Apartments, luxuTicusiy
and spleDdidly furnished, are awaiting him.
Footrnen, valeis, and servants, gorgeous IN
their scarlet liveries, with gold and silver
| lace trimmings, are In readiness 70 walt upon
him and 10 run 1t every beck and nod. Sure.
lly was ever fairy tale more fully realized
| than thisp And Mr.. Jackson did not enter
uDon this new life for few days, or few
weeks, or few years, but FOR nfe, with
| handsome annual stipend guaranteed-mcre
! than sr.firient TO meet ali.his requirements.
/ There beina no vacancy In the court of Wlr-
'tembury, tie position of "Reader tc HIS