Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-12-02
JOSPEH And SCHRATT.
AN EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA AND A SECOND
GLASS ACTRESS.
A Woman Who Appeared ia BOwsry Theatre
Win Indifferent Success Has Francis Joseph
in Her Train and Draws Handsome SALARY

Germs Emperor William Francis Joseph
and his attentions to the beautiful Nine.
Schratt, an actress, who few years
ago played in the Thalia theatre in the
Bowery with only indifferent success.
Nine. Schratt is not only the Emperor's
favorite, but his conidante and adviser
both In matters political aud relating to
the court 1t Is even said that she ex-
ereises such sway over his majesty that
her influence can be traced In the set
Element or the gravest public questions.
1t is needless TO say that the Emperor
appears frequently at The Imperial
theatre In Vienna, and he also almost
visits Nine. Schratt, at her cottage.
When, about twelve years ago, Catha-
rine Schratt appeared In the Bowery.
Although billed as the leading Vienna
actress, she did not arouse grea. en-
thusiasm, but she was regarded as a
fascinating little woman whose pleasant
smile and winning ways stood her in
good stead in the lighter comedy parts.
Her beauty was OF the pronounced
Viennese type. Bonny blue eyes, a
wealth of light brown hair and an aris-
tocratic figure were her important
charms. She was than about % years
Of age.
But nowadays in Austro-Hungary II
one speaks of the first lady OF the coun-
try or as they call II over there of the
"Hohe Frau" none other is meant but
Nine. Catharine Schratt. At the time
of her engagement in New York Nine.
Schratt was the wife OF q Hungarian
nobleman by the name OF Herr Won
Kisz, whose fortunes were on the wane
and whose estates in Hungary had
dwindled TO next to nothing.
Herr Won Kisz is only a remembrance
to-day. He is said to live in the south
OF France, and bright boy now about
Is, the fruit Of his marriage with the
actress, is being brought up under his
name in the Theresianum. one OF the
arlstocratic institutions In Vienna.
In Vienna Nine. Schratt re-appeared
at the Imperial Berg Theatre, which
corresponds TO the Coincide Franchise
in Paris. The Emperor, who is a regu-
lar first-nighter, saw Nine. Schratt's
performances and when his visits to the
theatre became more frequent than
usual the gosslps began to draw their
conclusions. But nothing occurred in
the outside life OF the Emperor which
would justify any malicious reports.
When the Emperor first met the actress
personally is not known. But 1t is said
that this event took place soon after
Nine. Schratt returned from America
and applied for an audieuce at the court
to thank his majesty for the leave of
absence which he had gracously &C
corded her.
Even at that time number OF court
satellites, anxious to grasp any oppor-
tunity, and aware OF the gossip that
was abroad, began to swarm around the
actress and at balls and receptions she
was constantly surrounded by court Of
flcers and even members of the imperial
cabinet.
To the public at large the fact OF
personal acquaintance between the En-
peror and the actress remained deep
secret. II was only after the death OF
Prince Rudolph that matters assumed
an entirely different aspect. That this
historical tragedy was terrible blow
to the Emperor Francis Joseph and his
wife, who idolized her son, may we'll be
imagined. The Emperor never re-
covered from the shock, and from the
man in the prime and .vigor of life ne
suddenly turned TO a senle old man.
To the establishment OF all, he sought
consolation in the society OF none other
than Nine. Schratt. The actress was
repeatedly invited to the table of the
emperor at the imperial castle In Ischl
an honor never before bestowed upon
any other artist in the world. But the
popuace stood in amazement when IL
was rumored that not only the emperor
cut also the empress had chosen the
actress, Mme. Schratt, as counselor and
adviser The empress always had rep
utation for extreme haughtiness, and
was the only member Of the royal fam
lily who never courted popularity.
Yet to-day it is common sight 10
Vienna to see the Empress Elizabeth
driving out In an open carriage with
Nine. Schratt. Mme. Schratt often
calls at the imperial mansion to cheer
Her Majesty, who is subject to attacks
Of melanchoia, and no one 80 admirably
succeeds in dispensing the clouds from
the Empress mind. The Empress never
misses public opportunity to show her
res pect for her.
The purely platonic relations between
the emperor and the actress are explain
ed by the most absurd theories, one Of
which has it that Nine. Schratt is tn Q
legitimate offspring OF the monarch. II
Is apparent that Emperor Francis
Joseph takes'no trouble to conceal his
almost psternal affection for the young
woman. He may be seen almost any
day, 10 fair weather or foul, 81 about
uoontime, walking from the imperial
castle TO the cottage Of the actress, a
distance of five miles. Hundreds OF
his subjects watch his majesty on his
way there and he answers their respect
full salutations with his wonted seren-
ity.
The neigh6ors of Nine. Schratt know
the exact hour of the emperor's visits.
and all the little occurrences there are
talked over with great avidity. Nine.
Schratt unhesitatingiy tells her friends
that the emperor is interested 10 many
trifllng matters far below his sphere.
He inquiries about Der bohemian &C
is delightfully."- amused at
any little gossip or scandal and takes 3
good natured interest in musicians,
bankers and artists OF whose existence
he never had any knowledge before.
Git is told how the emperor was amused
OF one time at an occurrence in the &C
tress' house when the maid Of Nine.
Schratt was i'll and could not serve tea.
Uar snhstitnts with fIl-eoucealed excite