Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1914-08-08
How the Fatal Curse Put Upon the Emperor Franz
Joseph Has Swept His Loved Ones Away In a
Tragic Manner The Most Pathetic
Figure In European History.

oath Of the Hungarian Constitution
June 8th, 1867. He was but eighteen
years Of age when his weak uncle,
Ferdinand abdicated. The father OF
Franz Joseph. the Archduke Francis
Charles. would have been the next In
line, but the royal family preferred
young "Franzi," who had already
made his mark as a student. Several
times his mother the Archduchess
Sophie. had given him a hint OF the
honor which was 10 come to him and
by her orders he received instructions
in every branch Of Jurisprudence. He
also became an expert shot and a fear
less horseman. The Archduchess ruled
the father as well as the son. and she
knew that the father was totally unfit
for the crown She finally worried
her husband into declaring that he
had seen a vision while earnestly pray
ing for guidance in the matter. He
then told the Court that the spirit OF
his father, the late Emperor Francis
had appeared and laid his hand on
the head Of his youthful grandson.
Franz Joseph. This decided the fam
lily and young Franz Joseph became
the ruler
Reigns Over A Mixed People.
Austria received him with frantic
delight, and the day of his accession
was one Of JOY throughout the land.
The young Emperor even at that age
had a remarkable conception OF duty
which has served him we'll during his
long and checkered reign. When first
addressed as your Majesty" he turned
pale and murmured Farewell TO my
YOUTH His foot was already on the
thorny path which he has unfiinching-
/ ly trodden for sixty-six years. During
this time he has reigned over more
than fifty million people consisting Of
Austrians, Hungarians. Bohemians.
/ Bosnians and Herzegovinians. They
are his subjects but besides these a
large number Of Germans, Italians.
Russians. Swiss. Roumanians. British.
French, Montenegrin, Turkish, Ser
Wan, Bulgarian Leichtensteiners and
over three thousands Americans live in
his domain.
His troubles began early in his reign,
as a few months after he came to the
throne discussions arose throughout
the land which were followed by ex-
ternal aggressions.
The Curse In 1858.
In 1853 the list Of tragic incidents
which have marred his reign began
when an attempt was made TO assassi-
nate him. Early one afternoon IN
February Of that year the Emperor
was taking his daily walk on the
ancient bastions which used TO encircle
Vienna, attended by a single aide-de.
camp. Count O'Dorrell. The two mer
had stopped 10 view the movements o.
the soldiers who were drilling nearby
Suddenly a man ran up the narrow
/ steps leading to the bastion and deal
the Emperor a violent blow with
knife. The blow was aimed at tn
, neck, but it struck a bone behind thu
. ear and did not infiict a serious wounS
, although the conclusion caused partia
blindness for a time. The man proved
to be a Hungarian named Lebenzi-i
tailor by trade. He declared that h
, was determined 10 kill the Empero
, and had waited for the opportunit.
( for some time.
When the Emperor had fully re
covered the people Of Vienna. VIII
, have always shown a remarkable de
votion to their ruler set about to buill
a church in commemoration of thei
youthful monarch's preservation. an
Z the VotivlSirche. a masterpiece Of mod
! ern Gothic art, was the result Thi
! beautiful church rears its slender
graceful towers on one of the wides
T. streets of the Austrian capital and !
- always an object OF the greatest in
D terest to the American traveller.
The Emperor was kindly dispose
2 toward his subjects. even the Hun
q earian rebels. and tried 10 win then
e. but the Archduchess Sophie ha
c formed the policy OF his reign
e cruel. heartless policy which carrie
4 death and exile TO many. She wa
2 heartily disiiked by the people. and IN