Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-09-15

sympathy and pity for her that wa
strongly akin to love. and he promises
her that he would use his power as en-
peror if his influence as Il father wa
not sufficient to recall his son to a sens
of propriety.
AS result the crown prince wa
summoned to Hofburg, the Imperial
palace in Vienna, and a violent dis
cussion ensued between father and son
In the angry excitement of the momon
the crown prince made sneerins
reference to certain irregularities OF
the emperor's youthful life, insinuatins
that his own infidelities We're certainly
OF no graver character. Stung by the
lmperunence, it is said, the emperor
replied with a blow.
Without word the crown prince left
the emperor's presence, and hastily de
parting from the palace he directed
the NienneSe tiacre, Brattisch, who had
so often conducted him on quiet eX-
petitions, to drive him to Mayerling.
Never again was Rudolf seen alive by
his devoted parents, his wife and
daughter, or the people of Vienna, who
adored him, for in spite of his frailties
the crown prince was universally be-
loved.
In the calmer moments that succeed
ed this alteration the emperor, know
ing his sons eXcitable temperament,
realized that Il speedy reconciliation
was most important. He therefore ar
ranged family dinner for the follow
ing day, July 20, to which Rudolf and
Stephanie were invited. A few mo-
ments before the hour set for dinner
Stephanie, who still loved her recreant
husband, came in tears to the emperor,
bringing a sad telegram which she had
just received from Rudolf stating that
he was TOO i'll to attend the dinner.
The emperor, still persistent in his
effort to restore peace, instructed
Count Hoyos, nobleman who enjoyed
the friendship of Rudolf and his own
confidence, to proceed the next day,
Jan. 80, to Mayeriing and to exert all
his influence to persuade Rudolf to join
the family at dinner on the evening of
Feb l.
In the meantime Rudolf had been
joined by some merry companions at
Mayerling and was seeking in some
what riotous mirth to forget his do
nestle grievances.
His guests were Prince SaNis, who
was brother-in-laW to Empress Eliza
beth; the crown princes mother, Baron
Baltazzi; u wealthy Hungarian sports
man, who was uncle to Baroness Vet
sera, and a French nobleman whose
name was never divulged. There were
also present two fair but frail NienneSe
ladies, whose faces were not unknown
on the Graben and other freQuented
streets of Vienna. AS is natural on
such occasions, wine, women and
song" ruled the hour.
The servants had discreetly with
drawn from the CASTLE as was their
habit when festivities became too pro
nounced. At the most inopportuIe mo-
ment the Baroness Netsera unexpected
ly arrived, and the scene of reVelry
which greeted her drew from her the
most severe denunciatiOn of her faith
less lover. Rudolf, still smartins from
the reproof OF his father, and with the
reproaches of his wife still ringing in
patiently to the passionate and jealous
upbraidings of his mistress. When she
exclaimed with scOrnful contempt, SIS
this the company in which l find you?'
he retorted: Madam, are you more
virtuous than they?"
Instantly the chivalrouS sentiments
of the noble guests were aroused in de
Tense of the unhappy baroness, who
they declared, had been grossly insult
ed. Angry words were multiplied, and
Rudolf, who had been for several days
in an excited humor, which his free
libations had not tended to calm, be
came deeply offended by some express
SiOnS to which the FTenchman and
Baron Baltazzi gave vent in defense of
the injured lady. Enraged by their
reproacheS he rushed into the adjOin-
ing apartment, which was his sleep
ing-roOm, and Selling a revolver he re-
turned and without a moments re-
Election ,leveled the weapon first at
Baron BaltaZzi and then at the French
cavalier. Both these gentlemen were
severely wounded, the Frenchman most
dangerously, having received ball i'll
the breast and one in the abdomen.
Maddened by pain he gathered all his
force, and Selling a champagne bottle
from the table, he dealt his aSSailant
Il terrific blow on the head.
The crown prince sank to the floor,
his skull fractured and lis right arm
broken. He lived but 4 few moments
after receiving the blow.
The Baroness Vetsera had for some
time feared that the ardor of Der royal
lover was cooling, and had carried
with her a deadly poison that she
might end an existence which, without
is love, she felt would be intolerable.
When she realized the sad havoc she
had wrought she lost no time in swal-
lowing her fatal poison, and Rudolf
was scarcely cold in death when she
was laid beside him.
Thus, in less time than it takes to re-
late it, the scene of mad revelry at
Mayerling was changed to one of CON
sternation and death.
The first thought of Prince SaXis and
Count Hoyos was to guard the secret
Of the tragedy until the emperor could
be Informed and his wishes as to how
much should be revealed were known.
Prince SaXis remained on guard at the