Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-06-18
INFATUATED WITH HIS MOTHERS
LADY IN WAITING.
FINALLY MARRIES HER
Nuptial Arouse a Storm of Indiaa-
ton, but Bride Succeeds in
Winning Many Friends-Her Hus-
band a Wild and Passionate Eel
low.

Alexander |, king of Seryia, was
the only son of the reigning house of
the little mountain kingdom. His
father, King Milan, abdicated the
throne in 1889 as a result of popular
revolt due partly to his political in
digiation aroused by his treatment of
the beautiful Queen Natalie. Milan
he as alternately kidnapped by his
extravaganza plunged the kingdom
heavily into debt.
Alexander was born in August, 1876,
and was proclaimed king before
reaching his majority. Brief as was
his career, it was a romantic and ex-
citing one. While he was yet boy
he was alternately kidnapped by his
wicked father and his beautiful
mother. AT IA he was accustomed to
throw grown men out of the window.
AT IL he personally kicked his
regents out of the palace and took the
government into his own hands. At
IS he was wrecking homes. AT 81 he
was drinking himself to death At
"A he forsOok alcohol and devoted
himself to romance.
King AleXander's marriage proved
one of the greatest sensations of
Europe royalty. Efforts were made to
induce him to wed into other royal
families, but they were of no avail
He had become infatuated with Nine
Draga MasChin, a lady in waiting to
his mother-a mature beautiful and
fascinating woman. The families of
rank protested against the union, but
in vain. Alexander was bent on
having his own way and in 1899 the
couple was welded
Previous to this event Alexander
had made a feint of complying with
usage and finding a wife among the
royal families of Europe, But his
experiences were not encouraging;
perhaps his infatuation for Draga con-
tributed to the result He saw the
king Of the Belgians and was coldly
but politely informed that he need
not look for wife there. He went to
Berlin, but the emperor made it clear
to him that he was not desired as a
member of the Hohenzollern family.
He would have gone to St Petersburg,
but the car kindly intimated to him
that he would save himself a great
deal of trouble by staying away.
Then he tried the court of Vienna.
He felt that the emperor of Austria,
having such deep political interest
in SerVia, ought TO do something for
him. The emperor has so many
relatives that the king thought he
could spare princess from them,
Tho emperor, however had been so
thoroughly shocked by the young
mans previous career that he would
have nothing to do with him.
The Servians at one time announced
that an engagement had been ar
ranged between the Archduchess
Christine, daughter of the Archduke
Frederick of Austria, and the king of
Serya. This was denied with such
energy and promptness in Vienna as
to leave no doubt of the emperor's
feelings toward Alexander
After his unsuccessful tour of the
continent Alexander returned TO Serya
more than over determined 10 crafty
his youthful passion and we'd his
mothers attendant despite the dis
parity in their ages and social posi-
tons,
Nine. MaSchiu was the daughter OF
a minor official and was married early
in life TO an engineer. who died a few
years ago Her life had been I'M
happy 1t was her Leauty that caused
Queen Natalie to choose her as a
lady in waiting and an ornament to
her court Alexander renewed his
suit for her favor and was more
madly in love with her than ever. lie
spent all his time in attendance upon
her. lie showered her with gifts,
He gave her many of the crown
Jewels Of Servia At first his
ministers and courtiers thought that
this was only another Of his passing
caprices. but they were mistaken
The kings disposition changed al.
together Formerly morose and
miserable, he now became bright and
happy. His dun eye grew bright and
his hloatod salow checks resumed
: the hue Of health.
The king caused an announcement
! az his intention to we'd Draga to be
! made in the official court gazette, It
raised a storm III the country, The
cabinet ministers protested violently
They told the king the consequences
of his act might ruin the dynasty
| Il am the king" said Alexander
/ proudly. and | can marry whom
. please Attend to your duties and ie
not NEEDLE with my private affairs.
, With that he dismissed them. They
! went away and resigned in body
Ex.King Milan was enraged wher
he heard of his sons intention OF
wedding Draga He was at Carlsba,
taking the waters for his hopeless:
liver when he heard of his sons de
termination. He Immediately started
!. for Seryia. swearing that he woult
E prevent the marriage, He had larg'
following in the army and nigh