The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-25

about 100000 in number and their
sway. under Menelik. over the 10000
600 of people is absolute.
The emperor, though, cannot lay
claim to proud ancestry on both sides
OF the house, as did his fllustrious pre-
decessor from whom his name was de-
rived, for his mother was beggar girl
who came seeking gratuities at the pal
ace steps,. Eentranced by her lowell
ness, for she was very beautiful, :
In robe and, crown the king stepped
down to meet her on her way, 1e
She was more fair than words can say.
wrote the. poets, and the man who
styles himself, Lion. Conqueror Of the
Tribe of Judah, Menelik Chosen by
God, King of Kings of Ethiopia" took
the fascinating n1endicant into his
household. A boy was born, who proved
to be the living image of his father
and the apple of his eye. He called
/ him Menelik, and he was his faxorite
son. This young man in due time fell
in love with certain Princess Taoti,
at Gondar, where they were both in
exile. while Menelik's uncle was on the
throne. His passion was sincere and
he would have married Taoti, but the
Emperor Theodororos, of AbysSinia,
sent for him and the beautiful young
princess, and upon beholding Taoti
forthwith married her. providing for
young Menelik a bride in the person of
his daughter, Princess Tofana. MeniIik,
however, though he married the en-
perors daughter. and became great
and powerful as a warrior, refused to
be consoled, and returned to his first
love, after the death by suicide of
the emperor, despite the capricious
young woman's numerous matrimonial
ventures. In order to marry her, Men
elk, now being emperor divorced To-
fana. It was Taotis second royal
marriage, the lover of her childhood
being, it is said, her sixth instead of
her first husband, as originally planned.
Made Menelik Emperor.
But it is said that her, affection for
Menelik never Waned, that all her
other matrimonial ventures were I'M
happy, and it was due to her great tact
and diplomacy that Menelik was named
as the successor of his uncle, King
John, in 1889. 1t is alsoshinted that the
Italian influence and aspirations in
Abyssfnia were factors in Menelik's
favor. However that may. be, the tables
We're quickly turned upon them soon
after Menelik's ascendancy. He won
the peoples loyalty by letting his pie
be1ah blood find expression, working at
their side and moving among them as
a commoner. They f1ocked to his ban
ner, and with great cunning and skill.
filling his royal treasury with gold, he
quickly modified a force that made
the mountainous empire impregnable
and scattered it's Italian enemies in
confusion and disaster, while Russia
looked on and applauded. and England
witnessed a second Soudan. The gold
of the italian treasury poured into the
emperor's Golfers; the ransom money
or no vii A
national surplus.
Since then innumerable stories of
Menelik's wisdom, statecraft and pee
ead1llos have attracted wide attention,
but never has the power of Empress
Taoti waned. 1t was she who passed
from tent to tent during the six years
campaign inflaming the Shoans to a
pitch OF frenzy against the Italians,
and now her presence and influence
are felt in all affairs of the empire.
She sees and knows all that takes
place dictates letters and policy and
makes herself hated and feared by
powerful court sycophants. She raves
and terrorizes her husband if he de-
parts from her counsels, exalts and
praises him if he carries out her wish
es. Despite his iron will and warning
spirit the girl who first swayed his
passions rules his mind and governs
his actions -
Taoti was beautiful I'M her youth:
she is yet considered by her people a
handsome woman. She has regular
features. Her complexion is of clear
Drown color. and her eyes black, large
and expressive, flash in anger, become
soft and persuasive when emotions
that are agreeable possess her. She
Is very vain in her dress and loves
adornment, showing great taste in all
oil of
Ethiopian style, though she pos
sesses a weakness feraI silk stock
lngs, Partisan slippers and kid
sne possesses a weakness for silk
stockings. Partisan slippers and kid
gloves. She is fond of the best French
champagne and indulges,oat times in
European delicaeies III
The State Savings Bank is omen Mon
OdN evenings fEflIn 6 To A<.l,c n