Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1895 — WHAT A HICCOUGH MEANT. [ARTICLE]

WHAT A HICCOUGH MEANT.

To a Gallant Young Man It Brought Title and Landa. One of the grandest houses of the Austrian nobility is indebted for Its princely dignity to a piece of courtler-like loyalty, performed by one of Its members during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa. The august lady, during the midst of some function, had had the misfortune to hiccough in a peculiarly loud and aggressive manner, not altogether in keeping with the laws of polite society, but which in Japan or Oriental countries would, of course, have been regarded as a piece of lofty breeding. Perceiving that her majesty showed traces of embarrassment>-for even empresses are human—a young Austrian nobleman stepped forward, and, with a most clever assumption of intense mortification and humility, craved her majesty,* pardon for his gross breach of manners. The empress received his apologies, not only graciously, but also gratefully, and from that time forth the young man’s fortune was made, and before the empress died he had been promoted, not only to the rank of count, but also to that of prince, besides being generously endowed by his Imperial benefactress with means to support his titles.—Boston Herald.