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

while the Princess Sophie fell ia their
estimation TO q very small figure. As
soon as the young emperor had been &C
cepted by the people the Princess Sophie
sent him away to have good time, and
for that purpose placed him In the care
of Count Grueune with instructions TO
see that the emperor enjoyed
himself. To man OF Count Gruenns's
convivial tastes there was but one In
depreciation to be put on enjoyment,
and with the Emperor . willing pupil
in his hands they started on career OF
liveliness which caused comment even
In land where fast living has not been
unknown among royalty. Ho tried,
and succeeded very we'll for some years,
in keeping the Emperor the slave OF
the passions and pleasures OF the tssh.
The latter paid really no attention
whatever, except in perfunctory man
ner, 10 the duties OF his high once,
while in his rame the Princess Sophie
ruled tyrauuically with hand OF steel
and a heart which was closed alike to
appeals OF her subjects and the dictates
OF humanity.
Reaction was the rule, aud the cnun-
try was prolific in revolu+lonlsts. SIZE
had revolutionists and suspects shot
down like dogs, without mercy and
without hesitation. Patriots sought
refuge in every exile and every man
and woman cane to feel that a spy from
court lurked ever at his or her side.
The country attributed all these acts OF
oppression and wrongdoiEg Of tae
Princess Sophie to FraAcis Joseph,
while he, seeking Only mis- own pleasure
and careless OF affairs OF state. knew
little and thought less Of his realm and
its affairs. Ills awakening, however,
was coming, aud occurred suddenly and
with rudeness on February -, 1853,
while the emperor was reviewing
the army on the Schmely. Un-
q Hungarian, one Joseph
Libenyi, rushed through the ranks
caught the emperor by the shoulder,
and with heavy kuiie attempted to cut
his throat. The effort would have sue
ceeded but for large buckle, sucn as
all Austrian officers wear st the neck,
which caught the point Of the knife.
Count O'Donnell and other officers who
were near the person OF the Emperor,
disarmed the assassin, who was igno-
miuiously hanged the following day.
Libonyi had not died in vain, however,
for the Emperor. msditatng on his es-
cape and the cause Of the assault, cams
10 realize the unpopularity Of his reign,
as conducted by tho Princess Sophie,
and there determined that no would
assert his own right and assume the
cares OF government in person.
ContemporaneouS with those evonts
the Princess Sophie had decided that
the emperor should marry. With his
aew determination in mind this Sugges-
tion was very agreeable TO him, and his
mother was kind enough TO arrange the
match for him, selecting as his bride
the Princess Helena, the eldest dsugh-
ter Of the Bayarian Duke Max. The
emperor acquiesced in this arrange
ment aud set out tor the dukes castle
To consummate the formal botrothal.
Passing through the park to
the castle. however, tho ON
peror spied among the trees
young girl in short dresses and girl
Of exquisite beauty. AscCrtainlng that
the lovely girl who had won his admi-
ration az first glance was the Princess
Elizabeth, younger sister OF his In
tended bride, he declared that he had
lost his heart to her aud would wed
none other. To this proposition the
Duke Max acquiesced, and the Princess
Helena also expressed her satisfaction
at the arrangement, as she was person
sonaly opposed to the marriage pro-
posed for her with the emperor.
Returning home Francis Joseph an
nounced his betruthal to the Princess
Elizabeth, and the storm Of protests
which was raised by the Princess Sophie
and the nobility OF Austria at his mar
rying one who was not by birth "a
royal highness." had much TO do with
strengthening his already well-formed
determination TO personally assume the
prerogatives which were his by right OF
Office. He announced then, pHren pto-
rily, that his choice had been made,
and April "a. 1854, they were married.
The Princess Sophie would scarcely
recognize the young Empress; and the
Vionese nobility treated her as shabbily
as was possible and still be able TO Sc
cure recognition at court. Save in her
husbands love the Empress found life
a joylsss and unsatisfactory thing.
with scora by the court circle,
the young Empress accepted the gage
OF social battle thrown down 10 her
and every slight put upon her was re-
paid with interest.
Years have passed, and while the
beauty of the Empress has matured
rather than faded, she sill holds al
length thoss whose iHhospitable recop-
tion Of her al tho capital made her so
unhappy In the oarly days Of wifshood.
The regret of those VINO sighted her
has been long and sincere, but thu
Empress has never relented. AID
nnver will. Ohe result, and
most beneficial one OF the es-