The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1912-07-19

ms goo ,ooNS' MS @ALW-AkW
utter lack OF o n DUKE OF
science and his nARCsoRouoh
military genius. II would be hard TO
say which Of these three qualities did
most for him.
John Churchlll-'Ikndsome Jack"
as he was nicknamed-came OF an old,
impoverished family. lie was born
In 1850, had almost no early education
and became a page to the duke OF York
(atterward James IL. Charles H., the
duke OF Iork's brother, was king OF
England ana ruled a dlssolute court.
where Wit and beauty brought far
higher rewards than did mere merit.
lie soon worked his way into the
duke of York's favor and received
from him a commission In the army.
AS a soldier he showed both valor and
martial skill But It is doubtful II
he would have risen as rapidly as he
did were IL not for the very shady
mean he employed for his own ad.
vanceWcu'. His good looks and his
interruptions conduct brought him
money and swift promotion. lie
strengthened his position by marrying
Sarah Jennings, q oma much Of
his " sort, and even more ambi.
tious.
James II. came to the throne In
1855, and his fayorite courtier,
Churchill, was made a general and a
baron. Handsome Jack owed every.
thing 10 James. Yet, when the latter
was attacked by William Prince of Or.
ange. who claimed the English crown.
Churchill quickly saw that William
would be the victor, and decided 10
throw his fortunes with him. so,
when james Churchill calmly went
over 20 the enemy and took the army
with him. James deserted. fed 10
France and 'hc Prince OF Orange be-
came king William ILL., OF England.
Churchill gained new honors by this
BIT OF 'rcachery.
Williams reign was not wholly pop
ular II looked at one time as II
James might possibly regain his lost
crown Churchill, In order TO make
certain OF being on the winning side,
served with William openly and kept
up q secret correspondence with
james, William learned Of this and
had Churchill thrown into prison For
a less lucky. less SIXTY man. this ex.
posurc 20 treason would have meant
political ruin. But Churchill man.
aged TO secure his freedom and even
10 win back some OF his bcsmlrched
reputation.
William died Dhildless. and a, his
death the English crown went to
james youngest daughter. Anne.
Churchill had foresccn this, and had
made A.a plans accordingly. lie had
managed 10 install his clever wife as
AIMEE chic, lady-!u.waiting and to
win for himself he new queens rust
and admiration Anne-stupld, weak,
good uaturod-Was the willing and
meek slave Of The imperious Lady
Churchill, uboyiug her every wish,
heaplug houors or her tricky hus
band; even e%nriching the couple.
Churchill Was made COMMANDMENT.
chief OF Eugiaud's forces in the con.
tinental war. Here he showed bril-.
liant genius. lie won battle after bat.
tie, campaign after campaign; amaz.
Ing the world with his military skill.
lie also gained himself "A name Tor
humanity during these wars. IN spite
OF the fact that uc burned more than
300 towns, villages and castles in
Germany alone.
Flushed with triumph, he came back
10 England Foreign governments
granted him nigh houors Queen Anne
made him duke OF Marlborough aud
lavished priceless gifts on aim.
Among other presents from her he 10.
ceiFcd The huge estate Of "Blenhelm"
Cnamed for one OF his yictoriesD. aud
Il castle Was built there for him at
royal expense.
For year, Ac and his wife practi.
ruled England, through the
weak old queen But for The duchess q
Of MaglbDro.gG's bad temper they
might perhaps have continued 40 IN.
Nh tho end. But the duchess At last,
In IN, lost her temper once too often
with the patient Anne. She is even
10 have slapped her males. 4
face. There was a terrible scene 4
aud the Marlborough fell into dis
grace, The duke was stripped or mis- I
aud found II convenient &C.
England.
Later, Ia George Is reign. he was d
partially restored to power. Hut his :
old greatness was gone. lie was nc h
fully trusted, Lille turned bit.
ter 10 him, Ills only son was dead .
stroke OF upoplexy thlckened his y
speech and made him feeble Hand
some Jack was an old, old man !
broken and "a wreck OF his former Y
self lie died in 1872 In his seventy a
third year