The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
THE BOY KINGS SAD LOT.
(From the London MaiL)

One of the most Interesting figures of
today. IS Alfonso XIII, King. Of Spain,
who belongs entirely and exclusively. to
the twentieth, century. The years that
been few and irresponsible. He does not
take up the reins Of sovereignty or as,
between now and then revolutions may
oyerwhelm his hapless country.
throne, and though at present he is I'M
known outside of his own palace, he has
twenty millions of subjects.
Few kings, even of Spain, have begun
life under worse auspices. His name is
unfortunate; his number a pledge of bad
luck His unhappy father was dead be
mother, the daughter of an Austrian arch
duke, was confronted with the hateful
So far the mother has emerged from an
impossible situation with a certain distinc-
will have harder task set him than ever
fS n9 hls and me M
His aspect is familiar to everyone in
succeeded in arousing enthusiasm. Now
and again, as the guard is changed out
ed face is seen gazing from a window.
The face appears suddenly, and as sud
the king murmurs a lazy onlooker. and
the king it is, who looks out upon his
people uncheered and almost unrecogniz-
ed So, too. You may meet him driving
in the AFTERNOON IN sad solemnity. NO
honors which were Philip Tvs. Even if
royal cortege, he does it with a bad grace,
and with the air of a man who has gone
years there should be all the elements Of
monarch # MS Psope DO mot i ave
him. surely he might stir pity He in
The truth is. he, has, never touched the
with unexpected tact and talent he is
s Stances ' Of his life have fought against
his success. In the first place. his APP
He He is too Blond, his hair is too light his
forehead is too high t to correspond With Vi
says one citizen in contempt: he is an
Austrian" Another asks with Indignity;
boy who. doesn't seem to carry in his
veins a drop of true Spanish blood %
manner. His hand is seldom raised in a
gesture of excitement; his eye does not
The true Spanish boy. said a detractor
ghtng in the sreet or h eI nee a never
be dull if the side of a house and tennis
mind. At any rate he must always be
running about or devising a. new sport:
hide himself in the shade or gossip idly
at the street corneE But the young king
overweighted with the duties of the fu-
ture He is familiar enough to the in
him run. about; or laugh the gay, empty
laugh of childhood.
Yet, if the Spaniard would but remem-
Der the past, he would esteem the young
king for this very solemnity. Indeed, it
may be said that Alfonso XIII. is only
UNFOLDING the tradition of his high office
When Spain was mistress of the world
her kings held laughter disgrace, and
at the end of the seventeenth century the
poor Bride of Charles H., who did not
easily forget the manners of her own
French court, was condemned to hatred
has either forgotten his tradition or
changed his view In his dislike of the
young king he reproves the precocious
dignity which the contemporaries of Philip
". would have esteemed above all tai
entS, and if Alfonso XIII. is ever to win
a national popularity he must make some
haart IF be Wo,id onIv nrofae
i've admiration for bull-fghttng, or, better
Would be SECURE But he Is never Tkey
to kill an Andalusian bull with his own
keep patience and wait upon luck.