# 57

                      WHO WAS FRANZ FERDINAND? 

 PART 4

Seeking another amusement, Ferdie hopped behind the wheel of his touring car and

drove his family and guests on a visit to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. The
weather was fair and everyone, except the father, sang boisterous songs along the way.
Instead, he stared out at the scenery as though he were alone in the world.

The supervisor of the School led his guests into a huge training arena where four,

gray-colored Lipizzaner breed horses stood patiently. The supervisor, Herr Vogelrufer,
gave a brief explanation of the school’s function and history. He told his listeners that
Lipizzaner stallions were a hybrid of Andalusian and Arab horses, originally raised
near Trieste at the village of Lipizza.

Herr Vogelrufer asked His Highness if he and his visitors would care to ride on the

horses.


“Why yes, of course,” replied Franz Ferdinand. “I can assure you that Kaiser Wilhelm
and his entourage are capable equestrians!”

Duchess Sophie and her children sat in the stands ready to cheer for Ferdie and his

guests.

The horses came to a mounting ramp where the visitors easily and firmly sat in their

English saddles. The supervisor also mounted a steed, mainly to keep an eye on the
security of his guests.
The horses immediately exhibited their famous powerful, elastic gaits. Their excellent
training showed as they pounced about proudly, raising their well-shaped legs.

Both Wilhelm and Herbie took their mounts through different paces while Franz

Ferdinand limited his ride to a few circles of the arena. Eric trailed behind.

After one-half hour of jaunting and whooping loudly, Wilhelm motioned for his ride

to end and the men jumped from their steeds much like circus riders do.

Franz Ferdinand grinned and complimented his guests for their equestrian prowess.

Sophie and her children clapped and cheered the men.
 

In order to break the iciness of the Archduke, Wilhelm jokingly pointed to Herbie and

said, “I believe that my A.D.C learned his riding techniques on burros!”
 

The Archduke guffawed at the thought.

Upon their return to Knoptisch castle, Wilhelm learned that a special affair was in the

offing.

That evening, Franz Ferdinand’s children gleefully chased each other about the

drawing room as workmen set up an opaque white screen in one corner and a motion
picture projector in another.

Folding chairs lined up before the screen. When all was ready, a servant notified the

Archduke. Francis Ferdinand’s family and Willy’s companions sat down to watch a

motion picture. It was a novelty for it showed Willy and Ferdie touring Vienna a few

days past. With every one seated, the room lights were extinguished and a deep darkness descended upon the room.

“How real he looks,” shouted Sophie.

Her children clapped their hands in delight at the sight of their father on the screen. They saw him driving about in a limousine while crowds of onlookers waved to him and the Kaiser. One scene showed the two men entering St. Stephen’s cathedral greeted by the Bishop and his priests. Another scene included some high jinx as both Ferdie and Willy made faces at the camera. Everyone in the room laughed at the antics. It was the first time that the family ever saw their father standing arm in arm with someone other than his immediate kin.

 

Suddenly, the film ripped and the room became dark. The unfamiliar smell of burning
celluloid soon pervaded the room. Servants immediately lit candles while others found
the light switches and turned them on. While her children surrounded her in fear, Sophie began sobbing. She did so for some moments until Ferdie held her shaking hand.

 

“What is it my dear? Why are you crying so?” he asked as though to console her.

Drying her eyes with a lace handkerchief, his wife replied, with trepidation, “Up until
the point where the film stopped, I felt great happiness watching you and Willy enjoying your horseback ride. However, when the screen darkened so suddenly and you disappeared from view, a feeling of despair came over me. It was powerful feeling of foreboding.”

Ferdie knelt beside his wife. “Now there, Darling, do not spend one more second

carrying such thoughts in your pretty head. Willy and I will live on for another hundred
years! Right, Willy?”

Sophie, however, was inconsolable and she and the children made a hasty exit from

the drawing room.

While Willy looked on in amazement, Ferdie began coughing violently. He fumbled
for his handkerchief with which to wipe his mouth. The pure white cloth was stained red with blood.

“Good Lord, Ferdie, how can I help you?”

“Only God can help me, my friend … Only God!”