The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-23
WILLIAMS BLACK EYE.
Another Story About How the Emperor
Came to be Disngured.

>oAlC " NC DlSllS u.
(Wm. E. Curtis in the Chicago Record.)
"A very sensational story is being wills
pered about Berlin concerning the fate
OIL the young naval officer who was In
charge or the deck Of the royal yacht
during the recent cruise of the Emperor,
when the later received a painful in
jury. According to the circumstances
as understood here, the Emperor was
more to blame for the accident than any
body else. The sailors were taking
down an awning that sheltered the at
ter deck upon which His Majesty was
Sitting. The wind was blowing, the can
vas was Mapping. and one OF the cords
which are used to fasten It was acct
dentally thrown toward the Emperor,
SO that the knot struck him in the eye
with considerable violence. The injury
was very painful for a time. but not
serious. The surgeons bathed the eye
with lotions and the Emperor was COM
PEELED to keep his cabin for several
hours.
AS the world knows, he Is n man Of
uncomfortable passion and Is exceeding
ly sensitive to physical pain. According
to the story told in Berlin, he had tam
trum after the accident but the Incident
was allowed to be forgotten until a few
days ago. when the lieutenant who was
In command OF the deck, and superin-
tended the removal of the awning, mys-
teriously disappeared. His father Is a
soldier of high rank. and one Of The most
loyal supporters of the Emperor The
young man himself had been a favorite
with His Majesty, but the latter never
forgives or forgets.
- Only two or three years ago there was
an accident almost parallel. The Kaiser
stepped on something on the deck of his
yacht, was thrown down and his leg was
twisted so that he was compelled to use
crutches for several days. The lieuten-
ant who was officer Of the deck at that
time also mysteriously disappeared
shortly after, and has never been heard
OF since.
There are various and contra dicto.y
explanations but nobody knows the
true one. In the present case, 1t is
claimed that the officer who was stand
ing by when the Empcror's eye was in
Jured went out for bicycle ride at the
next town the yacht touched at and ac-
cidentally fell over n pTecipice. 1t is said
THAT the bicycle has been recovered. but
not the body, which leaves n suspicion as
TO the truthfulness of the report 1t Is
said, too, that fifty men are still search
Ing for the remains, by the Emperor's
orders, and at his expense which may or
may not be true. 1t Is impossible to
learn any further particulars. The off,
GERS OF the yacht and the members of
the Emperor's party are extremely retl-
cent. The newspapers dare not print a
word concerning the matter, and the
people will not discuss 1t except In the
strictest privacy. because they fear that
any comments they may indulge In will
be reported to the police. If any news
paper or individual should attempt an
investigation he would land in Jail This
secrecy and terrorism give an excuse
Tor most Incredible and sensational ru-
lnors. Those who defend the Emperor
on all occasions say that a satisfactory
explanation will l. ~,nde as soon as he
returns: but WI l seldom explains
anything.