The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-12-20
SOMEWHAT STRANGE.
ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS OF
EVERYDAY LIFE
Queer Episodes and Thrilling Adven-
lures Which Show that Truth is
Stranger than Fiction.

KING JONATHAN NHARLES FREDERICK, |
rho reigns over the Mosquito reservation,
In the Ncaraguan territory, is one of the |
most remarkable ''monarchs" outside of
Central Africa. King Frederick has
only been short time in power, and is
man about twentyeight years of age, of
small stature, and thickly built. He
dresses in Il navy blue uniform, somewhat
like that of New York policeman,
trimmed w'.h geld lace and Ornamentcd
with bras, buttons, and wears epaulets of
black velvet, marked with the letter''M,"
and the same letter graccs the front of
the small cap which covers his head The
kings enemies say that he is man of
weak character and a heavy drinker. In
fact. they go so far us to assert that
whiSkey of the strongest character is too
weak 70 suit his majesty's taste; SO he
dilutcs his whiskey with Worcestershire
sauce and Chilli vinegar. King Frederick
has always lived at Bluetields or at Corn
Island, where, in his earlier days, he
''worEcd cargo" for the different steam
ship lines, sheiled cocoanuts, or turned
his hand to anything that would produce
his meal. The predecessor of his maj
esty had no family, and after his death
due to poison administered by mem
Der Of the Council. according to popular
rumor) Kirg Frederick, who is a distant
relative of the late ruler of the reservation,
assembled the throne. The kings salary
is 200 soles a month, 'without expenses"
One has heard of good many cXtraor-
binary suicides. and of good many
people who, dcspising such common helps
out of lite rs the rope, the river or the
pistol, have taken pains to shuttle off
this mortal coil by means not generally
used. Rarely, however, we think, has
anyone adopted the plan of running up
and down stairs as fast as possible in the
hope of terminating his or her existence.
Such course was resorted to lately in
Berlin by young lady. She was suffer
ing, it appears, from heart disease, and
possibly this may have been the origin of
her suicidal ideas. In any case, having
been warned by her medical attendant
that any great emotion or eXertion might
prove fatal. and having also been spec
tally forbidden to go up or down stairs,
she profted by the instructions to do
precisely what she was told not to do, in
order to kill herself. Being left alone
one day at home. she began running up
and down three flights of stairs, contin-
uing the exercise for an hour, when she
sank down on the floor quite exhausted.
She did not, however, die, as, according
10 the doctors, she ought to have done
aud after restoratives had been admins
tered she was as we'll as ever, much to her
distress, as she really believed she would
have accomplished her purpose.
An interesting romance comes from
the Crow Creek Reservation. b. +.
Balch, a badly crippled veteran of the
civil var, now a settler on these lands,
has Just received intelligence which
makes his heart glad. Some fourteen
years ago, while living in Missouri, Mr..
Balch's little girl, then 5 years old, was
stolen from her home by some unknown
persons, and for many years although
much money and time were spent in the
search, no trace of the lost one could be
found. A communication of his to the
authorities at Washington recently III
regard to his pension was published in
the newspapers and caught his daughter
eye, who had been residing in Texas.
She at once opened up communication
with Mr. Balch, and with the aid of q
pair of earrings on her at the time Of
her capture and in other ways convinced
him that she was beyond all doubt hi.
long-lost daughter, and whom ne had
long since given up all hope OF evel
seeing again. The unbounded delight
of the father can better be imagined
than described, and he can hardly con
tain himself until her arrival, she having
left her home in Texas to join her father
in his reservation home.
A MARVELLOUS recovery from paralysis
is reported from Eureka, Tex. The pa
tent, Joel Norton, had been unable t.
move either of his lower limbs and ont
Of his arms for three years, and wa
bound to an invalid's chair, hOpelesslv
it was supposed, by the grim hand o.
muscular paralysis, but the sight OF nj:
little daughter Lillian in flames broke
the bones of his living death. The child
Fan into the room where her father lay
with her dress on fire, screaming and fly
ing about, when, without thought OF hi!
condition, her parent sprang to his fee,
and catching up rug wrapped hel
tightly in it and succeeded in extinguish
eng the flames. His excitement dying
out, he realized that he was once agar
capable of motion, and actually tainted
from Joy and the nervous reaction
Physicians declare it miraculous restor
ation of vital force, and have visited hin
from all parts of the country. Mr.. Nor
ton has walked two miles daily since hi.
recovery, and can scarcely be induced t.
60 to bed at night for fear lest hi
malady attack him while he il asleep
He has also resumed his occupation
Uhsoh u, chat nf m vnoohipicf