Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13
The
Charities of
AIponzo.
By Inez Mendoza Ganzales.


bated breath to know the fate of Cuba,
the person most interested in the mat
fer is living quiet little life occupied
only with matters of education and
charity.
Alphonso Kill, King of Spain, is
only eleven years old. He will not at
tain his twelfth birthday until May IL,
1898. when he will celebrate another
year of his reign.
AIpnonso was a king from the time
he was born, for he came into the
world six months after the death OF his
| father. Alphonso XII, and found the
throne waiting for him. Immediately
| according to the laws Of Spain, ne
| became King, and has been ruling
| ever since his birth. No one dares to
| DISPUTE his word, and if he were TO
| say tomorrow, LET Cuba be free,
| the island would indeed become a sep
| arate kingdom from Spain.
| Rut Alphonso knows little of Cuba
| and his whole life is taken up with the
| routine through which he must daily
go. and the many charitable acts when
| the King of Spain is called upon 10
perform.
No country requires as much Of its
| ruler as Spain does, and little Alphon-
| so from the time that he could toddle
! has been engaged in opening hospl-
| tails. starting sick funds, distributing
| state moneys and opening charity ba-
! zaars.
| Though his charities have never
| been written they are the 41ost inter-
| esting parts OF the little King. The
| greatest charity over which Alphonso
! presides and of which he is the spon-
| sor is the Invalid Children's Fund.
| The fund is a sum Of money which IS
| gathered together every year Dy the
| different churches OF Spain. Each
| church gives a proportionate sum TO-
ward the fund.
| On his birthday Alphonso takes this
money and divides it among the chill
| dren's hospitals of Spain. He does this
personally, signing his name IN baby
| ish hand to the donations MS they are
| prepared by one OF his ministers.
| Another charity in which Alphonso
is active is the birthday fete entertain
ment. At this affair the young King
dresses in fancy dress and with the
| children belonging to the court ladies
| PcDN1
tableaux for the amusement of the
| children of the poor. This takes place
annually in Madrid and is one of the
| prettiest sights of the year.
| Alphonso receives from the eXcheq-
| uer of the Royal Treasury every year
| the sum of S5,G00-this in Spanish
money is s., 900 pesetas, and is great
! deal of money This is Alphonso's
spending money, and he is allowed to
| disburse it as he pleases. only he must
| give a certain sum to charity. The
| Kings charity fund maintains every
| wear a very large number OF Spanish
| orphans. When the King has dona-
! ted $50 to the fund every Spanish no.
| BILE donates a like sum, taking care,
| however, to make little smaller than
| that which is given by the King. 1t
would be contrary to court Etiquette
| to give the full sum subscribed by Al
| Dhonso. Then come the ladies and
! gentlemen of Spain, who also contrib
| ute sums, taking care that they be less
| than that of the titled ones, and finally
the common people are allowed to give
| money.
When the Kings charity fund is
| complete it is found to be very large.
and with this Alphonso takes care Of
the waits found in the streets of the
large cities Of Spain.
The little King, besides being inter-
ested in large charities, is good little
fellow personally. He is kinder heart
ed than his father. Alphonso XII, and
! takes after his mother, Maria Chris
tine. who, as an. Austrian princess,
was noted for her kindness CT heart
and after his aunt, the Princess Eu-
lale. who is one Of the sweetest women
living
The King, when he goes out to ride,
stops wherever his eye falls upon dis
tress and relieves it. This is one Of
his royal privileges, and right royalty
Alphonso exercises it.
In spite of the efforts to keep the
life of the little child bright. sweet and
innocent. rumors of outside life reacl
him. and during the threatened trou
BILE with the United States over Cuba
a few weeks ago a hint Of it came to
his ear.
On one of these days the little Kins
went to ride. and when about an hours
journey from the country seat, where
he was spending the colder months o
winter. he noticed man standing il
the underbush.
"Who is that?'' he asked his tutor.
THAT" said the tutor, lis one o
Your Majesty's subjects"
Let him come to me" said Alphon'
SO.
The peasant was brought to the car
riage reluctantly and frowning
why do you look at me so?" de
manded Alphonso
Because, Your Majesty
Because" said the little King, <>ol
are one Of those who are making
noise in Madrid You do not like M
as other people do; is it so?'
The man hung his head.
Then take this money" said Al
phonso, holding out his hand to hi
tutor for a coin, "and go and buy your
self good cheer with it. Rememhe
that Spain is for good cheer and TO
peace"
If Alphonso lives to come into full
power-as he will at the age of six
teen-he will be known as the Merr,
Little Monarch He loves a good time
His favorite picture is one taken o
himself on horseback riding his pc
horse Antonio He is fond of ali kind
of sports and he loves to have his PEG
pie join. him.
Once when away at one of the man,
castles owned by the royal family 0
Spain he arranged hunt The littl
King and his companions, for he wa
apfortainipu tho children soe Tho oohIar