Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-08-18
DAILY SHORT STORY
THE IRON CROWN.
IOrigiDSll

His melancholy is distressing. He
must be watched constantly 10 prevent
self destruction"
can nothing be done for him?"
HIN. I've been thinking. All de-
ponds upon the success of some expert
ments now being made in Paris in sim
liar cases. They are trying magnetism.
electricity and hypnotism for such
cases. 1t is reported that several pa
tients have been relieved by the expert
ments. 1 can apply the same remedy
to the king if you desire it
DO SO at once"
a fortnight later DR. Bachrach re-
ported to the prime minister that the
kings reason was quite restored. In
deed, so improved was he that the
watch set over him to prevent his TAX
ing his life had been discontinued
Would it be safe for him TO appear
in public?" asked the minister. 1t is
rumOred that he is dead, and Prince
Carl is scheIning to place himself on
the throne"
IF his majesty were to be unduly
excited at present l fear he would suf-
fer u relapse
The minister disappointed. dismissed
the doctor and set himself to discover
some other method of convincing the
people that the king was still living.
Prince Carl was the kings cousin. 4
man who would rule or ruin. Prince
Fritz. the kings brother. n year youn-
ger than the king and very like him in
appearance, was the heir apparent. 1t
was known that the moment the king
10
ceSSion. Prince Carl having declared
that he would himself succeed the cx-
listing monarch. Fortunately, on the
kings accession Carl had been forced
to sign an agreement not to claim the
throne during the sovereign's lifetime.
One morning Dr. Bachrach asked for
an immediate audience with the prime
minister and when admitted announc-
ed that the king had rclapSed and
before he could be prevented had kill
ed himself. The minister turned pale.
I'VE are all LOST he exclaimed.
Carl Will seize the government and
Danish or execute every one who has
opposed him. Heaven knows how he
will get rid of his cousin Fritz"
The minister gave strict orders TO
keep the kings death a secret as long
as possible and ordered troops upon
whom he could rely from remote Ie-
giOnS, where they were stationed. to
the capital. But they could not be
transported in less than ten days. \
week after the kings death Prince
Carl got wind of il. At the head of
some troops stationed near by and who
were favorable to him, accompanied
also by a mob of his adhCrentS, he
marched TO the palace and demanded to
see til" king. The prime minister, to
delay matters. stepped out on TO n
balcony and declared that the kings
condition was such that if he appeared
it would be at the risk of his life. The
mob howled and still demanded that
he be brought forth. some shouting,
THE king is dead-IOng live King
Carl" But Carl. who believed the
game was all in his hands, would not
risk breaking his agreement. He de
manded proof of the kings death.
DIR. Bachrach had caused to he made
an iron crown, which he maGnctiZcd
and had little difficulty in persuading
the king to wear. 1t soon began 20
appear that in the kings case the re-
-
being confirmed He grew so much
better that the crown was removed.
and Or. Bachrach took care that it
should he kept free from contact with
any other substance. While the mob
was bowling the doctor placed the
crown on the head of Prince Fritz.
Now, the results of the Paris expert
mentS were this: y magnetiZCd iron
cirCIct placed on the head OF woman
suffering from melancholy gave re-
lief Two weeks later the circIct, which
had meanwhile been kept free from
contact, had been placed on the head
OF Il man suffering from lySteTia He
was hypnotized and Immediately con
Quoted himself after the manner of the
woman who had previously worn the
circlet.
As soon as the crown, which, to more
readily touch the kings fancy, had
been made in the same fashion rs the
crown of state. had been placed Oh
Prince Fritzs head Or. Rachrach sent
for celebrated hypnotizer, and Fritz
was put under his influence. 1t was ~
this jUncture that Carl made demand
for proof that the king still lived. The
minister stood paralyzed, and the
crowd. again shouting, The king is
dead-Iong live Prince Carl was
making Il rush 10 storm the palace
when DIR. BaCLrach led forth Prince
Fritz
Fortunately the balcony was 50 high
that the people could not discover the
deception. They would not have been
convinced. however. had not the prince
unconSciouSly acted after the manner
OF his brother while lie had worn the
iron crown. lie Taved and shouted
and sang. and had not the attendants
caught him he would have plunged
headIou- from the balcony. Prince
Carl. satisfied with Ills identity. with
drew his followers. intending to take
steps 10 have the insane monarch de
clarcd unfit 10 rule and consequently
the same rs dead. But the next day
the troops began 10 arrive. and rs soon