The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-01

Cornered. tie younger rake was finally
disarmed. tie sword being knocked out Of
his hand bySa terrible blow. but the crown
prince fought on. slashing faces and
clothes and smashing mirrors and crock
cry. He did not give in until the big toe
OF his right foot had been severed by a
sword thrust, causing him to drop his
weapon for an instant.
At that moment he was caught by the
arms by t%o walters approaching from
the rear, and soon lay on the floor, writh-
ing with rage and pain.
The King. when informed Of the assault,
ordered his. royal Highness removed to
Belgrade by special train. while Kethely
was placed under arrest in the hospital
"for conduct u~nbecoming an officer"
II PEOPLE TIRED OF HIM.
The crows prince is being cared for at
the palace. and the people Of Belgrade sin
cerely hope that his convaleseence may
last a good many weeks or months so they
may be rid OF a public nuisance as long as
possible. Meanwhile other rascally deeds
and fshy transactions by Nico-
dem are discussed freely In the capital.
Evidence of his improprieties and moral
turpitude ake on eyerybody's lips; all but
the newspapers seem to be aware Of his
conduct. The newspapers keep quiet to
avoid suppression, as the King threatened
to conhscate any journal guilty of the
slightest criticism OF mis- adopted son, be-
sides sending the editor TO Jail. And a
term OF Imprisonment in a Servian prison
is not 10 be sneezed at. In this country
few political prisoners return from Jail.
and those who do tell terrible stories OF
torture. hunger and long periods OF thirst.
But that is another story.
A week or so previous to the Nisha Incl
dent a fashionable throng of ladies and
gentlemen at dinner in the restaurant of
the Belgrade Waldorf-Astoria were start
led by the appearance of a young and
beautiful girl in complete deshabille; it
couldn't have been more complete. The
young woman had issued from a cabinet
separee" Connected with the restaurant by a
door and walked around the tables offering
flowers for sale. Women shrieked, burying
their faces behind bouquets and fans. some
tainted, while their escorts called for the
head waiter and proprietor. One old gen.
eral attempted to throw his military cloak
over the impudent creature. Suddenly
above the tumult there was a sharp voice:
do not interfere. She is a friend of mine.
II she is prevented from finishing her tour
OF the restaurant 1 will lose a pot of
money"
1t was Crown Prince Nicodem who spoke
the young rake had undertaken to pro-
woke ''the greatest scandal ever heard of
in a civilized community" for a thousand
francs and won the money, as neither the
hotel keeper, nor anyone else in the crowd
was man enough to interfere with the
unparalleled spectacle, which could be
plainly seen from the street, and. indeed, at
tracted a large mob outside. Only the old
general, who had offered his coat to the
beauty, attempted TO expostulate with
Nicodem for insulting the best people of
the kingdom he hopes to rule, but his
royal highness shut the door in his face
and told him to mind his own business. And
when the chief Of police brought the mat
ter before Alexander, the King and Queen
thought they would kill themselves with
laughing. and, instead Of furnishing Nico-
dem. congratulated him on his ready wit"
TRYING TO LOOT a BANK.
No wonder the Crown Princes conceit
UNNECESSARILY increased under the circum-
stances, encouraging him in the belief that
he is above the law and privileged TO do
anythsg his fancy dictates. Writing a
check for five hundred thousand francs on
the Belgrade National Bank was his next
extravaganza. That he had no account in
that. or any other, bank, and was entirely
unknown to the officials. save as Draga's
brother, did not trouble him in the least.
He just borrowed a blank check from the
Queen and adorned 1t with a row of figures
and his signature. The cashier looked at
him in blank amazement. You will have
TO see the president he said. and to the
president the lieutenant marched with his
clanking saber and noisesome spurs.
IT am her Majesty's brother and heir to
the throne he said; you will certify this.
so your simpleton Of a cashier can hand
out the money"
The bank president didn't know OF a de-
posit to that amount and asked for his
royal Highness's bank book. etc.
NO details. If you please" answered the
young man haughtily. "If necessary my
secretary or adjutant will tend to them
later on. Meanwhile do your duty to your
future sovereign and pay over the money
j asked for"
The bank president, not knowing how to
get rid of HIS visitor. asked for half an
hours delay. and Immediately communi-
Gated with the Ministers of the royal house
and Of the interior, learning from these
gentlemen that Nicodem hadn't a penny
CulSiQc U HIS pay duu lnc III III lTOin
his sister, the Queen. Consequently the
check was thrown out and Nicodem also.
when upon his return to the ban he made
a scene. Offering violence to cashier and
president.
This time. too. Alexander took the part
of his dissolute adopted son, claiming that
refusal 10 honor the Crown Princes draft
was nothing short of an insult to Majesty
and would be prosecuted as such If re-
peatec. At the same time he punished the
bank president by declaring him ineligible
20 hold Office either under the government
or the civic administration, while Queen
Draga added what she considers insult TO
injury by striking the BANKER name from
her visiting list. Hereafter the poor man
will never be permitted to kiss Drasa's
hand, or dance or dine at the palace, or
occupy a dead-head seat at the royal
theater. But that IS not all. The King