The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-16
EMPRESS OF MANY HUSBANDS
The Wife Of Menelik of Abys-inia De-
seconded From the Que en- OF sheba.


Not even Empress Eugenie. nor yet
Queen Natalie of Servia. can boast OF so re-
mantle and stormy a career as the empress
of Abyssinia, who. IL must not be forgot
ten, is entitled 10 rank among the Chris
tian soyereigns of the world. Unlike the
two ladies in question, she can boast OF
royal blood i'm her veins. being, like her
husband. descended in direct line from
the Biblical queen OF Sheba. She bears
the name of Tattoo. and by title is not
only empress and queen OF queens" but
she is 1.-THE sun and light of Ethiopia"
In common with all the princes and prin-
cesses of Abyssnia's ancient dynasty, she
was exiied by Emperor Theodore. usurp-
or who committed suicide when the British
stormed his stronghold of Magdala In the
latter part OF the '6as. She took refuge at
tho court OF Goudar, where she met her
cousin. Prince Menelik. and fen In love
with him. They were about 10 be mar
ried when Emperor Theodore suddenly in
vited them hack 10 his court. assuring
them OF not only the security OF their lives
and property, but also OF his favor
Complying with his invitation. they re-
turned, bat with evil results 80 far as their
mutual attachment was concerned. For
they had no sooner presented themselves
before Theodore than be fell in love with
the Princess Tattoo and insisted ON making
her his wife. giving 90 Prince Meneiik one
Empress Tattoo. as she had now become,
was subjected 10 such Entertainment by her
savage husband that his death came TO
her in the shape OF a deiivarauce
from untold misery. She quickly consoled
herself by comforting her hand and her
heart upon a general Of the name OF Uai3e
Gabriel. on his being killed IN battle two
years afterward she became the wife Of
Gen. Tackle Ghiorghls. commander-fn-
chief % the army OF the king Of Tigre.
Dissatisfied with the union. she obtained
a divorce from him and then became the
wife Of the governor Of Eei0u but had
not lived with him more than tBree months
before Emperor John. who had succeeded
Theodore. caused him 20 be thrown into
prison and execEted.
Rendered desperate by her matrimonial
mIsadyentures. the empress sought refuge
in the convent Of Zebra Meai and became
nun. Convent NE paiied upon her. and
accordingly she obtained dispensatjon
from her VOWS and married a man Of the
name Of ZecearagagEou. whose only merit
seems 10 have been his wealth. and Who
iIl-used her IN The most shameful manner.
az times fiogging her numerically Making
use Of the oId-fssb.oned plea that she WAS
anxious TO pay a. visit 10 her mother, she
managed 10 get away from him and 70 take
refuge IN a ne. ghbor7ng province. carrying
away with her considerable portion OF
his wealth.
Il Was while living with her brother IN
the F.phreta province In 1ss2 that she was
brought into contact again Hith her for
mer lover and hanee. Meuei.k. who had
meanwhile become king Of Shoa. The meet
Ing had the effect % reviF!ng all the old
time infatuattou between fhe two and. n
spite OF his beng married. Meneik per-
suaded the ex- Empress Tattoo 30 take up
her abode with him. II was due - her
clever and sagaciouS coBusels that Meme
lik formed that alliance with Emperor
John which had the result OF assuring 20
hsm the succession 10 the latter's thrDne.
EMPEROR John was not unzrafe1ul for
the support Hhieh ne thus received from
Tattoo and IN return gave her ali the as
s.etance that lay in his power n the citter
fight which she vas compelled % wage
against Msrellk's wife. Queen Tofaoa.
before the latter s-as ftaallg divorced. ard.
according 10 popular report. poisoned. ner
death having followed the dissolution Of
the marFlsze-
Tattoo vas thus Ieft without rival n
the affections 81 Menailk AMI was marriet
- BIN With imposing ceremonies n sssa.
New. ia spite o. her belng more fnsz -
years ola she stsil retains naarvefGtss sNfit-
ence over her husband. who falIaWs n%r
aBvfce 81 almost everything. inaee41. the
astonishing sagacsty VIII which % has
managed for ten years past 70 oprSse ~
the efTar-s made ~ the Italian government
in ths shape of Intrigue ard . armed al
faekE 70 otsaia possession q ha@ cSantFF
- ATTRIBUTABLE Ia the man. 70 me clsFeF-
ness % his 11zzy coEsort