The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-10
QUEER KING WHOLOVES
WOMAN WHO'S HIS WIFE
Victor Emanuel of Italy, Man Of Economies
and MANY Eccentricities, With an Itch for
Doing His Own Investigating.
INTERESTING FACTS
By SALVATORE CORTEsI.

ROME. August many who have seen
.he young King of Italy find 1t difficult
to believe all they hear of his determine
ton and marked originality. His fea-
lures are rather insignifcant-a.n in
Significance which his fair hair, colorless
complexion and short stature only serve
to sccentuate. But those brought in con-
tact with him say he mas d strong vii!
which nothing can move when he has
once made up his minda It is admitted,
however. that his heart is in the right
place.
But to two classes of his subjects he
is highly noioso "a great bore, as he has
an estigating turn of mind-and is
fond of his wife. The former character
teuc is. perhaps, the most unforgvabie'
as one likes to be found out, "hiie,
on the other hand, it is allowed tiiai
even a King has right to love his
own sprouse His most odious habit
in the eyes of those concerned, is. 10
appear suddenly when and where he is
least expected
AT LAST HE FOUND A MAN.
Civil service clerks d. less in Italy than
In any other ceuntry-l scarcely expect
this statement TO be taken in earnest
and are about twice as numerous one
DAY the Minister OF i orSlSil :aiis1li NIS'tV
to Increase his staff but the royal sanction
was withheld with the word wait" The
next day, at 8 A. NJ. ais Majesty appear
ed at the Foreign Office, where the hours
are from 10 u and from 3 TO or s. and
not waiting TO be announced, went d.
rectly TO the Minister'S sanctum. Empty!
lie went through the whole suite Of room
on tina floor. and then up and even up.
through one deserted room after an
other To be sure. in one he found
a cat and in one or Two even mice were
dancing about; but two legged animals
We're conspicuous by their absence.
Finally, in the last rom on the top
moor. young man Was discovered. scan
tily clad, shaving. His fright and en-
barrassment were so great that he lost
his wits and told the truth.
How Is IT you are so early?' asked
Victor Emanuel suavely.
l-1-didn't like to go home" STAN
nered the poor wretch, giving wild dahs
at his lather-covered chin.
i don't understand said the King.
Then catching sight of the dress clothes
on the chair he added:
''Oh, j see; you have been out all night
Well. inform the minister / called"
The next time that high parsonage saw
his King the latter said: II congratulate
you on your hard-wolliing young men;
but perhaps it would be just as we'll not
TO add to their numbers, and to see that
they do not use their Offices as dressing
rooms
COME IN AND BE D.
Another set Of men ''victimized, as
they express 1t, are the military. Il like
TO cali my life my own. iyrumbled one
comfortable looking officer To me, but
with that jacll-in-the-hox a morning
snooze is out of the question. Just when
you are wondering If 1t is time for your
early coffee there is ring from the
sentinel and YOU rush down. perhaps,
without your collar, to he confronted by
the King, who looks like thundercloud
and will no taccept apologies. 1t is a
confounded nuisance
Another renounts that 1t was known
that gambling was going on among th.
soldiers bat that those guilty could never
be detected The King had given strict
orders that it was 10 be put down among
officers as we'll as men '0ne evening"
he went on, some of us fellows had moth
ing to do. SO harmless game of cards
was proposed, and |, as senior officer,
gave my consent Stakes got higher and
higher until there was consdera BILE
sum OF money on the table, and we quite
forgot time and place AT last the young
every cent he had made, and ] put down
the same sum.
Just as we were in the thick Of it
and things seemed going in my favor a
knock came at the door. and / shouted
Come in. but there was no response
After few seconds again the tap-tap,
and I, exasperated. exclaimed Come in
and be d! whereupon The door slow
ly opened and the King looked me