The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-06-21

rNFANTA MARIA DE LAS MERCEDES, PRINCESS
OF THE AsTURIAS.
ing upon the beloved features. This evil
dence that so little of the kings affec-
ton was hers must have hurt Christina
deeply. She said, with voice choked
with emotion:
"If | must succeed her, l dare not
hope to replace her. My dearest wish is
to resemble her in all things"
The archduchess was 81 when she ex-
changed that title for that of queen of
SPAIN She herself cried bitterly on leav-
ing Austria forever.
Hitherto she had been to all who
knew her a rather shy and shrinking
girl, merry hearted and affectionate
with those who knew her best, but pre-
ferring retirement and seclusion TO pub
lie life, One of her special interests was
music, and in this she had both prof.
cheney and talent.
The Spaniards do not care for the
Austrians as nation; besides, they
were not attracted to the new queen.
They did not like her German accent
and misunderstood her reserve. All her
early years at the Spanish court were
beset with difficulties.
She tried hard to overcome the Ger
man accent, but the king, who was q
practical joker, loved to misinform her
about the use of Spanish words and
laugh at the blunders and surprise caus-
ed by her misuse of them.
On Nov. 20, 1855, King Alfonso XII
died of consumption, and she became
queen regent for the eldest of her little
girls, who reigned as queen until the
birth OF the present king, May II, 1886.
Ii her lot had been an unhappy one be-
fore, 1t was now doubly sorrowful.
Although as queen she is a failure
she has been good mother to her three
little children. Her aim has been to
bring up her boy to be good and patri-
otto.
1t is quite probable the little Alfonso
lsa rather spoiled, self willed little prig,
but that he loves his mother no one can
doubt. He, too, early acquired an ap-
probation OF his own importance One
day out driving with his governess he
took notion that his hat was too warm
ana heavy and proceeded to take it off.
Inc governess protested that it was
against court etiquette and probably
that he would catch cold. Alfonso re-
NAMED deaf to entreaties when the gov
erness used her last argument, threat
to report him to his mother.
II you do, " said little Alfonso, "I'll
make facls at the people the next time
you TAXI ine out to drive" He had been
taught to bow and smile politely to the
people who cheered and crowded about
us carriage, and it bored him unspeak-
ably.
one among the pet names by which
the queen calls him is "Alfonsito,
lttle Alfonso. One day meeting i'll the
palace minister of state of whom he
was not particularly fond he delivered
the following snub:
How are you, Alfonsito?" said the
minister.
Inc little boy looked at him for a
minute in what he intended to be royal
hauteur and answered:
10 my mother | am Alfonsito; to
you l am the king"
IL is to be hoped that Queen Chris
una when she heard of this incident
administered wholesome spanking to
'ne little boy, who thus insulted an old
man and faithful servant of Spain, but
sne probably did not, for what would
% looked upon as impertinence and
naughtiness in an ordinary youngster
are called originality and wit when
emanating from baby princeling
IL Is rumored that the princess of the
Aseurias, eldest sister of the little king
VI spain, will be betrothed next year to
srince Albert Of Belgium. She reigned
.or SIX months as queen of Spain in the
slne elapsing between the death of AL
IONS, Ion, XII and the birth of the present
king On her birthday--the 18th of
next september-she will be 10 years
ola, She 10 tall. sallow looking girl,
with heavy features and rather dull
uark eyea In neithsr Appearance nor