The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-21
YOUNG RULER OF SPAIN
RECENT ACTS OF THE FOOLISH KING
OF A WISE PEOPLE.
On Analysis They Are Not SO Foolish
as They Have Been Regarded
shaking IN the Dry Bones.
]. o. Rennett. in chicago journal.

In view of the antics Of the young King
OF Spain and the rumor Of his insanity
which has grown out OF them, it is interest
ing TO consider what may constitute mad
ness among kings.
Pondering over that question in its vari-
Gus aspects, we may discover that certain
things which, IL done or said by a plain
man Of the people. would be %singularly
eloquent Of sanity. are, when done or said
by a king. the basis for a suspicion Of mad
ness.
His Majesty of Spain, for example. while
visiting in Cabadonga recently, was in
duced by the local bishop to view the relics
In the cathedral.
His Icrdship gravely exhibited to the
! monarch ST. Peters toe nail-which one Of
the ten is not stated-and some of the hair
Of st. P~aul-whether plucked from the
whiskers or is another interest
ing detail not given-and expected him to
be duly reverent.
So far from falling into that attitude Of
mind the King leered shrewdly at the bishop
and said. My lord, do you believe that nom
sense?'
Which, we take II. was a fairly sane, not
to say courageous, point Of view for a
priest-ridden lad Of sixteen TO assume-be
he king or peasant.
Anyway. my lord, the bishop. crossing
himself In an ecstasy of fear and devotion.
affirmed that he certainly did believe all
OF it.
well. / DON'T" said the King. and, being
greatly bored, announced his intention Of
going to dinner forthwith.
Even laughter travels slowly in that sad,
idle country of his, but the story of the
monarch's Haunting of the superstitious old
bishop Is trickling through every city and
hamlet from the Pyrenees to Gibraltar, and
laughter, hearty IL cautious, greets 1t every
where.
Certain more grievous errors than vain
superstitions have been laughed out of
court and countenance ere this, so that the
timorous snickering of the Spanish peasan-
try may prove an epoch-making ebullition
OF merriment.
Who knows?
Having made light of ecclesiastical su-
perstition, 1t was, quite literally, mere
child's play for the boy King to pay his
laughing compliments to that dreary, de-
vitalizing ceremonial and etiquette.
Making a progress through his ancient
city of Leon. Alfonso's eye was caught and
his fancy charmed by a arch
which spanned a street.
A great assemblage of local dignitaries
was escorting him to the town hall. He
commanded the procession TO halt, dis
mounted from his carriage, and taking his
own time to adjust his camera, snap shotted
&AAC a. AOA SCNCAaA CAh VI NC"s 1AC
grandees In his train besought him to re-
sumo his progress-which he did at his own
good pleasure. waving them out Of the
field OF the picture meanwhile.
The deduction one may make from such
an act IS hardly i~ncipient insanity, but the
more natural one that there is small adj
vantage I'm being a king and al amateur
photographer unless you can snapshot what
you want to.
Bored to extinction at a great reception
held in his honor in the city of Ovideo. AL
fonso announced that IL was his royal pleas
ure to go to bed.
But" whispered the panic-stricken
chamberlains, 1.-The people must depart
first
As his loving subjects showed no sign of
going his Majesty replied: 'Oh, they must,
must they? Well. I'll soon send them"
Presently he placed his hands TO his
mouth In imitation of a bugle and sang
the notes OF taps; The guests not com
and enforced their meaning with panto-
mime. stretching his arms and yawning
prodigiously.
The palace was soon dark and quiet and
the King at rest, dreaming, no doubt, Of
some fresh devilment for the morrow.
Recently he quizzed in public that pros
sing old top. the Duke of Veragus, to the
eminent confusion of his Grace. 1t was
In S~antander and the King had just re-
ceived the keys of the city. The streets
Long live Spain! Long live Austria! Long
live S~antanderi" Everybody and every
thing was properly lons-lived except. the
$500 - LII
ishly at the duke, who was on an adjacent
stand. his Majesty cried: "Ah. duke, you
don't get anything this time. 1 see. No
long life for you"
Those who have knowledge Of the noble
dukes knack at getting something at all
times will especially relish this delicious
royal quip.
This mornings cable advices bring news
OF the Kings determination to marry a
south American heiress; Thereby he has
given the traditions of his agonized nobility
another terrific jolt. and. by the same
token, fresh impetus to their suspicion that
he Is queer"
Nevertheless he gives three admirable
reasons why he should do this-to reconcile
the rampant republican element by taking
ish influence in the South American repub-
lies, and TO mend the fortunes of his house
with plebeian millions.
A fourth reason which must have &C.
CURED TO so sagacious a youth might have
its source in his desire TO strengthen the
impoverished Bourbon-Hapsburg blood by
the infusion OF new corpuscles.
A glance, too, at the portraits of the
Elizabeth Maries, the Maria Annas, the
Marie A~nnunciatas. the Hildegardes. the
Adelgundes and the other Austrian and
Bavarian rights. from among whom his
councillors want him TO choose a wife, may
also serve TO convince a vulgar republican
that the Kings desire to look sewher is
nc proof of madness
A month or so ago Alfonso went to a
workingmen's dance in Madrid and in the
gray dawn came home proper"
Very reprehensible that. certainly, but il
every young American who does the sam,
were esteemed a candidate for the asylum
we should have to enlarge our m~adhouse:
on an extensive scale.
One night he called out the Madrid garri
son and put 1t through its PAGES. apparentl,
for no other reason than to see IL IL wer,
any good. Our honored mayor did the sam,
with the fire department last Sunday. buf
nobody has proposed locking him up as al
imbecile.
1t is said that Cervantes laughed spain.,
chivalry away.
Perhaps this joyous. madcap boy. with hi.
sense of humOr and his impudence. ma,
help TO clear the besotted kingdom OF a few
more of Its devitaliziug. impoverishing cere
monials and superstitions.
He may have a disastrous finish, but IL n,
were driven into exile tomorrow he wouI,
deserve a place In history as the twentieth
century boy who got Spain TO laughing owe,
her dry bones instead OF cherishing them
Evidently he loathes shams and nonsense
And he is the humanest manifestation IN.
ancient kingdom has achieved since mirth,
full Cervantes laid down his sharp pen.
Hh. rIIn.fruu ~