The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-12


population Of 100000 persons. Be
sides this. she lost the northern or
Bulgarian part Of Macedonia and
Eastern Roumelia, with it's splendid
capital of Philippopolis The only
concession allowed the Ottoman was
| permission to occupy the Balkan
passes in time of war.
Alexander Is Born.
In October, 1876 Milan. then but
tWenty-one years Of age, married Ma
talie Kechko, herself but sixteen. She
was the daughter of a Russian officer,
and her mother was the Princess
Pulckerie Stourdza She, as we'll as
her husband, had been born and train
ed with little likelihood of ever sitting
on throne, quiet burgher educa-
ton had been hers at Odessa. But all
about her was well calculated to at
tract notice. Her marvellous beauty,
her splendid abilities and accomplish
ments. her wealth, and over and above
all her devouring ambition. AT first
all went well. at least as far as out
ward appearances went-what more
could kings and queens wish for ?-for
Milan was deeply enamored of his
beautiful spouse, who soon became the
idol of the Servians, on account of her
amiability.
This affection was but increased about
year later when she presented her sub
Jects with an heir. But from that mo-
ment the domestic discord began The
queen had been Ill long and seriously aft
er the birth of her boy-Milan had sought
distractions elsewhere. Scenes Of jeal-
oqsy and recrimination grew frequent To
add to all this Servia was then passing
through difficult political crisis; the
turkish war was in full swing. Milan,
little beloved ever since the beginning Of
MS reign, brought home no laurels from
this war, although his subjects had dis
tinguished themselves for their valor and
fighting abilities. Then followed in 1882
the raising of the. principality into a
klngdOm-a fact which left the Servians
very Indifferent, and in which they could
only view the prospect of increased tax
atlon. Milan. ever despot, could not
foresee the shaping of the chapter of
events, his troubles grew worse and
more frequent, now began to lose his only
hope Of support, the army. Discussions
lions arose, and at last turmoil was in
evltable when the troops with their lead
ers became divided into two factions,
one for the king and one for the queen.
Milan and Natalie Part.
Grave events were maturing in neigh
nexed Roumelia, and Milan. pretending to
arouse himself, declared war and almost
before he knew it he was defeated at the
humiliating field of Slivitza, from which
Prince Henry of Battenberg carried off
such 1aurels. The Servians were com
PEELED to beat hasty and precipitate re-
he intended to abdicate, thus killing the
last shred Of regard she had held for
In 1887 the pair parted without outward
scandal, the queen taking with her the
crown prince. Florence was the goal of
her Wanderings. and there she spent a
sired to return to Belgrade but Milan
would not hear of it. Thereupon she went
to W1esbaden. and while she was residing
there Milan became possessed of an over
n nd 70
shame of the government they lent their
hand to the abduction of an only child
from his mother.
Milan Abdicates.
Before the excitement of this could sub.
side Milan applied to the Servian synod
Tor an absolute divorce on the ground of
"1rreconcllable mutual antipathy." This
was possible neither by civil or canonical
law, and the queen refused ner consent.
Nor could the divorce have been obtained
but for the servile complaisance of the
Servian Metropolitan Theodore. Quick
vengeance however, was in store for the
contemplate Milan. The international af-
fairs of Servia had grown more and more
disturbed and complex; the king perplex-
counsels, highly irritable, suddenly an
nounced his intention of abdicating In IA
ver of his son. Without regret his peo-
pie saw him depart from among them a
man, who at thirty-ffve was already a
decrepit wreck, without the pluck or am
bitlon to try and overcome a political cri-
sis.
In March, 1885, he kneIt before his son
and swore fidelity to him as subject
and started on a tour through Europe
leaving his son and guardians to extri-
cate themselves as best they could. Now
can see mamma again!" were the first
words of the little fellow after hearing
of his elevation.
Alexander Becomes King.
In 1895 the young Alexander declared
himself king in fact and by the aid of
partisans established himself firmly upon
the troublous throne darkened with the
stains Of many different bloods.
1t would appear that he had little more
stamina than his father displayed during
the course of his rather cratic reign
!, One day walking through the gardens Of
most beautiful vision he had ever seen
Eagerly he inquired her name and found
It to be Draga Maschin Iady-in- waiting
whom he had brought to Belgrade. and es-
tablished her with all the honors and
comforts possible
He WEEDS Draga.
Draga Maschin was of humble birth, her
father was colonel of troops at that
time engaged in watching the frontier
but her beauty was of such a marvellous
nature that it is said Alexander was
mesmerized by it. He besieged her day
and night, urged an immediate marriage
though confronted by all manner of fiery
opposition from all quarters. His father,
then holding forth at Carlsbad, started for
was promptly threatened with arrest and
before he could recover from his surprise
he was informed of his sons marriage
with the daughter Of proletariat
Contrary to the general rulings in such
matters the new queen was found to be
possessed of abundance Of brains, as well
as beauty. Scarcely was she securely in
her new position than she began to obtain
preferments for her friends Lucrative
positions were to be had for applying, upon
proving blood relationship with the fair
Draga. And soon the populace became
incensed and the state and domestic
troubles began that ended in the tragedy