Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-04-22

and the Emperor, who had nominally
been the ruler for fv0 years at the time
ofihis marriage, was neither loved nor
respected. In fact, he was an acciden-
tai ruler, but the accident has been, as
demonstrated in later years, fortunate
one for his people. Al the birth OF the
Emperor there was probably no one,
save possibly ais mother, the calcua-
ting, long-headed Princess Sophie, who
ever dreamed Of his future exalted rank
and greatness. His father was the
Archduke Francis Charles, all amiable
sort of gentleman, who took but lit
tie interest in passing events except TO
consult his own pleasure in the matter
OF creature comforts and to hope that
the future would be full OF good things,
easy to get. He mad no taste for poll
ties, and diplomacy was something en-
tirely foreign to his nature.
He left lschel at the time tho Kaiser
Wilhelm OF Germany went there, simp-
ly because he did not like Wilhelm, and
he was blunt enough TO say so. Fran
els Charles was habitue OF tho court
OF Ferdinand the Kind Hearted, and
sent his son to the famous Theresianum
College, not so much for the purpose OF
educating him "a because other great
men sent their sons there, and IL seemed
the proper thing to do. He had no
greater ambition for Francis Joseph
than to see him a member OF the noble
and numerous army OF Hapsburg arch
dukes. While the archduke was con-
tented to drift along easily and leave the
world alone as long as il did net inter-
fere with him personally, his royal wife
was alert, active and plotting. She was
natural politician, with as little regard
for the methods by which she reached
her ends as any OF the other scheming,
scrambling plotters OF her time. She
mapped out q career OF greatness iOr
hor son and must be credited with hsv-
ing started him on IL with some degree
OF success, for which the young man
himself deserved no credit whatever.
The Princess Sophie determined to
make him emperor in name while she
should be empress in fact. Her oppor
tunity came in 1918, that year OF revo-
lutiens, when EraGcis joseph was
eighteen years OF age. he was still CT
Theresianum and as little interested In
passing political events as his careless,
easy.going father. Thrones were tot
tering all about, and that of Austria
was affected with the rest. Princess
Sophie was close 10 the throne and
quick TO see it's unsafe condition under
the existing reign Of the Emperor Fer
dinand. lie was kind of heart out eX-
ceedinglv weak ol will, so that it was
| comoaratively easy matter for friends
of the Princess Sophie, acting as his ad-
visers, TO induce him to 1y 10 Olmutz.
Thither he was followed by Sophie, am
| bilious, schsming and persuasive. Her
strong Will t-iumphed over bis weak
one, and the ultimate result, soon at
| tanned, was his resignation OF the
throne and crown in favor OF the young
student at Theresianum. The school
boy Of eighteen was emperor. That
was forty-fve years ago the first day OF
last December.
The young emperor was not greatly
! impressed with his new honor. he was
| illy fitted then FOR the cares of govern
ment and paie little heed 10 affairs OF
state. His mother, her ambition partly
satisfied, proceeded with characteristic
yigor to pave the way for the Young
em peror's return TO Gienna and her
own accession TO the real power OF the
empire. Soon there came peace, and
the Princess Sophie took her son TO
Vienna and showed him to the people
As their emperor aud ruler. He was
not sight 10 impress the popGlace or
inspire their greatest respect
Much less attractive than his gallant
Younger brother, Maximilian, who after
wards met his fate in Mexico, Francis
Joseph received a somewhat chilling re-
ceptiou. De was thin, colOrless,
smoothed-faced youth, with timid eve.
aud the heavy under lip which chsrae-
terlzes the family Of Hapsburg. The
ueople looked at him aud commented
! that as long as his mother held the
reius they would have rule of positive
character, but after thzt-what? The
SEQUEL shows. Tue young emperor
| finally became the fayorite Of his people