The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-09-06
VICTOR NOW LOVED
War Has Brought Popularity to
Italy's King.
His Democratic Ways, and Courage In
the Face Of Danger, Have Greatly
Endeared Him TO Both Sol
oilers and Citizens.

Tie war hns cast some kings down
fr"m their thrones and held up others
10 IN. acorn Of the world. But u has
also made some honorcd and beloved.
not by their own people only bat by
laIIions Of the citizens ~ other eoun-
tries King Albert Of Belgium il one:
King Victor of Italy Is another. Vie
tor has not the imposing presence aud
heroic bearing Of Albert. bat his soul
has risen Ees 20 the occasion.
The extreme democracy of italy.
says MIR Herbert Vivian In "Ttnly ut
War" has always expressed Itself In
the frsest criticism OF the monarchy.
During the agitation OF May. 1915,
when many persons feared that Italy
mlght shrink fruni war. the name Of
King Victor Emmanuel III WINS fire.
aueutly taken In win. The press pub
tlshed impndent caricatures and open
~ accused him of teing swuycd by
Austrian sympathIzers.
Poor littla man. So small, and
rather aiohe' lie has splendid
wife. worthy daughter ~ the old lion
of Montenegro. and he finds much
holneiy happiness In his sturdy fam
lily. Bnt he has been the subject of
many sights and much indifference;
INDEED. only In Italy II II known how
near he WINS exiied In May. 1915.
hut the time for pity has gone by.
and the king Is now by far the most
ysopulnr man In the kingdom. He In
almost dwarf. with a eoiorless face
slightly hronzed by the elements. a
crisp. manly voice. and way Of laugh
Ing with his eyes. He stands erect,
with his short legs wide apart. His
hair In beginning To grow gray and
there are burrows on his forehead and
Reside His mouth. yet he bears HIM
self Hike young man, walking fast
and never firing. He speaks little
md simply, always to the point. look
ing men straight In the eyes and awak-
rning strong feeling wherever he
goes.
He huxxes about the battle front In
little gray motor. without escorts.
nnd with no precautions for his safety.
He sleeps little aud cares not where |:
he II quite happy In an Alpine hat or
On straw. His fare II Of the simplest
little cold meat. bread. cheese and
choeoiatc--and he Ii always ready to
share II with the nearest soldier. He
says "Tu" tn everyone In fatheriy
way. and welcomes familiarity from
the soldiers. They treat him ms one
II themselves, but none have ever
taken advantage Of HIS good nature.
lie laughed heartily when an old sol
der called out 10 him: "Nay. majesty.
what be- doing here? This is no place
for thee. Get thee gone at once r
Tie interests himself In all the men
he meets. .Dear me-" he says. "what
q lot Of post cards! Are they all for
sweetheartsf Give them to me and
I will send them with my own letters.
such things should not be delayed"
"why do you look m giumf No
news from your famiiyf Cheer upl
TIL send wire for you to Inquire"
The soldiers see him praying with
gllstrning eyes over dying comrade.
For your majesty" gasped dying
soldier m he stretched out his arms.
"Not M. my son. was the grave re-
ply. "for Italy"
Another Incident that happened on
the battle trent gives picture Of the
kings courage. In the midst of shell
IRE lieutenant who had fallen. NOR
tally wounded. called soldier, gave
him q few keepsakes to convey to his
family and then ordered him TO fly.
Hut the soldier tried to carry the
lieutenant to n place III safety. Some
gunners called to him through the In.
fernal Are: sSave yourself, Save
yourself" Hut stlil he remained. In
the distance motor horn could be
heard. and tho whisper went round
that the king had left the field. The
soldier still struggled with the OH.
GERS body. but the lieutenant died
In his arms. Ftinging himself on the
corpse. the young fellow exclaimed
with tears:
"Evcn the kin. has gone away I"
Then a hand touched his shoulder
He shock himself. rose and stood al
attention. my dear boy" said ths
king. "the ear has gone. but the klnI
II sfiil with you
And there he remained TIL the END
Of tho day.
EansuS enn ~ Qssel.h p~l~n>ss