Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1897 — WHAT A HICOOUGH MEANT. [ARTICLE]

WHAT A HICOOUGH MEANT.

To a Gallant Tonne Man Xt Brought Title and Lands, One of the graadeot houses of tfcs Austrian nobility Is Indebted for its princely dignity to a piece of courtler-llke loyalty, performed by on< of its members during the reign of Eto press Maria Theresa. The august lady, during The midst te 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 pardon for his gross breach of manners. The empress received hie apologias, 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 oonnt but also to that of prince, besides being genonously endowed by his imperial benefactress with mM&s to siippdrt ms titles.—Boston Hssald.