The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-06-06

day took several snapshots Of a pref
ty American girl, who grew highly in
dignant, and rushing to the camera
threw it on the ground with the eiacu-
lation. How dare youY" An attend
ant i~nterposed and said, "Madam,
this is the king of Spain.' 1T makes
no difference who he is" said the irate
! young lady. "This is the seventh time
he has photographed me. l call that
insulting, and l want him to know it."
Then the king got into the game. Tell
her we thought her remarkably pref
IT," he said to the attendant. That's
our excuse Beg her pardon and say
that after this the pictures shall not be
developed" This occurrence not only
reveals royal dexterity, but teaches Us
! to appreciate the independence of the
American girl.
I'VE Ought to Be Friends"
When young Alfonso visited one of
the smaller Spanish towns the alcalde
tried to deliver a laboriously prepared
speech Of welcome, but broke down
and stammered lamely. The king wait
| gu Ouc VI tWO Cl1OSAAA aAoSCu AlOLlClAtos
when with a merry smile he broke in:
You. Senior Alcalde, are evidently only
a beginner in your trade of speechmak-
ing, but, then. l am only a beginner
also in my trade of being king. We
ought to be friends"
While in Paris Alfonso asked the
president Of the chamber of deputies
II he ever had to be severe in the exer-
else of authority. The president said
that he had only applied the censure
once or twice. "And for what reason?'
inquired the king. For speaking i'll
Of the republic" replied the president.
"Oh," said Alfonso, III I applied the
censure to all who speak Ill of me I
should have nothing else to do"
The king was greeted by one delega-
ton in the French capital, all the men,
bers of which we're decorated with the
order Of Charles w. Of Spain. II see"
he said, that you all wear the same
decoration that l do, but with this diff
ference. gentlemen - that you have
earned yours, whereas l got mine
through no especial merit of my own"
Instances of His Kindness.
Alfonso OH meeting some poor peas
ants ON the road looking for work took
them into his automobile, carried them
to the next town and interceded in
their behalf. At another time his car
frightened a team of mules so that the
driver was thrown out. Taking the
man into his motor, Alfonso headed
off and stopped the mules and saw the
man again safely Oh his way. \ poor
woman on trying to hand the king q
petition on the street was roughly
handled by a policeman. Alfonso rep
rimanded the officer, spoke kindly to
the woman and took the petition
When the young monarch heard that
people were starving in Andalusia he
ordered that the money for the trip be
used to buy bread for the needy. At
the time the Madrid reservoirs broke
Alfonso mounted a swift horse and
rode to the scene of the disaster, help
ed organize the work of rescue, Their
rode back to the palace, where he was
due to preside over a council of his
ministers. AS lie seated himself ut the
head Of the table the minister OF ths
interior rompously began, "Sire, it is
my sad duty to inform you that this
morning n terrible accident "Nevel
mind" said the king. II was there
1t is by such little deeds as these that
Alfonso XIIl. has endeared himself tc
his people.
The king is only twenty years Of
age. lie was born six months aftel
the death of his father and thus was
king from his birth. hut until two years
ago was under the regency of his moth
er. Queen Christina. Alfonso is really
not a Spaniard ut all. but Is Of Frencl
and Austrian descent. He is rather
tall. but slight of build, quick and ath
letlc. lie rides we'll and is an adept Il
many sports. lie is dark, with {
bright eye. large nose. thick under lii
and slightly rccedinS chin. His face
Is amiable and. while slightly willful
is not particularly strong. But thet
he Is young and may show mort
strength with age. Rulers, like whis
ky. are better when old.
A Court Beauty.
The prospective queen Of Spain |!
Princess Ena Of Battenberg. niece O
King Edward; also niece of Prime,
Louis, who brought a British feet owe
here not long since. Ena has NOR
names-VictOria. Julia. Eugene an.
possibly some others. One Of then
she got from Queen Victoria. of whom
she was Il favorite g%randchild. Anothe'
Is from her %Sodmother. ex-Queen Eu
genie. The princess Is eighteen an.
seems just sweet. red checked
healthy English girl. who Is nearly 81!
feet in height and weighs almost oU
pounds. She is said to be Il cour
beauty and Is already popular in Spain
There are whispers that she was II
love with Il British nobleman, but tina
King Edward insisted on her becomin:
the wife Of the Spanish king when tn
state Of that young mans heart wa
made manifest. 1t is also related tina