The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-09-05
STORY OF THE GOLDEN GOBLET
How King Milan Disposed Of A
Plot Against His Life.

\ dramatic story of royal life was told
Walter Wellman, the Chicago Record
Herald correspondent, by Moreton Frew-
en-, the English traveller and economist,
shortly before he sailed for home few
weeks ago. Mr.. Frewen is a good deal of
a sportsman and has visited many coun-
tries is search of big game. Some years
ago he was one of party that occupied
hunting lodge in the depths of Hunga-
rian forest. Among the other sportsmen
there was King Milan of Servia. One
evening while they were all gathered about
the supper table in the hunting lodge Mi
Ian told this story:
II had not been long upon the throne
of Servia, said the King, before my Sc
cret agents brought me the details of
plot that had been formed against my life
The conspiracy embraced so many men in
military and civil life that my advisers
were very much alarmed and wanted me
to cause them all TO be summarily removed.
| replied that it was not the business of
king to depopulate his kingdom, as if |
executed every man who joined a plot
against me it would not be long before |
had no people to rule over.
According to the plans of the conspir-
ators | was to be put out of the way by
means of poison. An annual ceremonial
banquet was soon to be held, and one of
my aids de camp, Colonel Blank, whose
duty it was to hand me golden goblet of
wine, was to see that the cup contained
the proper dose Declining to accept the
advice of my Ministers to make immedi-
ate arrests and telling them to leave the
whole matter in my hands, | went to the
banquet. At the proper moment in the
ceremonies the aid de- camp up to me, ex-
tended the golden goblet and made a very
pretty speech commencing my reign as a
blessing to the Seryain people and wishing
me many years more of health and happi-
ness.
Il took the goblet, continued Milan,
and held it aloft moment while gazed
about the banquet hall. You may imag-
ine, gentlemen, the tension of that mo-
ment Probably i third of the people in
the room knew that the wine was poisoned,
many of the eonspirators being present, as
well as those Of my trusted people who had
been informed of the plot As I looked
into the eyes Of the 100 men who sat
watching me it seemed to me | could dis
tingdish the friends from the foes, though
.. l.. Ill
the majority, Probably was the calmest
man Of them all, for knew all that they
knew aud something more besides.
- Mobiles and gentlemen of Seryia, |
exclaimed. it gives me great pleasure to
receive this mark of affection and support
Of my people 1t is with the happiest
feelings Of good Will to all and love for our
dear country that drink to your toast.
IA this juncture touched my lips to
the golden goblet and watched with keen
interest the involuntary shudder that ran
around the room. Pausing then, without
having tasted the wine, you may be sure,
| resumed:
- Upon second thought viii not drink
this toast myself. see around me scores
of my loyal officers, ministers and friends
There Is one among them who has given
me such marked proof of his devotion that
| now purpose to pay him the unusual
honor of asking him to be my deputy and
drink this toast in my stead
so saying turned to Colonel Blank,
the aid de camp and would-be regicide,
who stood by my side, and handed the
goblet TO him | shall never forget the
I look upon his face. In his eyes | could
read his thoughts He had been betrayed; ;
I his plot was known to me; he had his
choice between drinking his own poison or
being executed by my orders before day
light. He hesitated moment but only
/ for a moment, then he bowed to NE and
[ to the company and drained the cup to the
1 last drop. A few moments later he fell
/ dead at my feet.
And that, concluded the King, lis
what | call the death of gentleman. He
took his own medicine with bravery wor-
/ thy Of better cause.
/ Mr.. Frewau said he had reason to be-
lieye this was a true story, He had ques-
toned some of Milan attendants, and
they declared they had been present at the
banquet and had witnessed the episode
precisely as Milan had told it. For obyi
/ Gus reasons the affair was not permitted to
/ get into the newspapers.