Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1916 — Page 7

THE PRINCE OF GRAUSTARK

By GEORGE BARR M’CUTCHEON

Author of “Graustark,” “Beverly of Graustark,” Etc. Copyright, 1914, by Dodd, Mead and Company

SYNOPSIS Mr. Blithers, multimillionaire, discusee* with his wife the possibilities of marrying off his daughter, Maud Applegate, to the Prince of Graustark, who la visiting Mr. and Mrs. Truxton King in America in anticipation of getting some one to take up the loan Russia holds. A Mr. Scoville is attentive to Maud. Prince Robin is accompanied by Count Quinnox, minister of war; Lieutenant Dank and Hobbs, the valet. The prince had balked at a matrimonial alliance with the Princess of Dawsbergen, both of them Wishing to choose for themselves. Mr. Blithers visits the Kings uninvited. CHAPTER IV. The Loan Is Blocked. MR. BLITHERS reached home in high spirits. His wife was asleep,' but he awoke her without ceremony “I say, Lou. wake up! Got some news for you. We’ll have a prince in the family before you can say Jack Robinson.” She sat up in bed. blinking with dismay. “In heaven’s name. Will, what have you been doing? What have you been”— “Cutting bait,” said be jovially. “In a day or two I’ll throw the hook in and you’ll see what I land. He’s as good as caught right now. but we’ll let him nibble awhile before we jerk. And. say, he’s a corker, Lou. Finest young fellow I’ve seen in many a dav. He”“You don’t mean to say that you—you actually said anything to him about—about—oh, my God, Will, J<Vt tell me that you were crazy enough to”— cried the poor woman, almost in tears.

“Now, cool down, cool down!” he broke in soothingly. “I’m no fool. Lou. Trust me to do the Cue work in a case like this. Sow the right kind of seeds and you’ll get results every time. I merely dropped a few hints, that’s all —and in the right direction, believe me. Count Equinox will do the rest. I’ll bet iny bead we’ll have this prince running after Maud so”— She faced him once more and angrily. “Listen to me," she said. "I’ve had a talk with Maud. She has gone to

“He Informed me that her dot would be twenty millions.”

bed with a splitting headache, and I’m not surprised. Don’t you suppose the poor child has a particle of pride? She guessed at once just what you had gone over there for, and she cried her eyes out Now she declares she will never be able to look the prince in the face, and as for the Kings—oh, it’s sickening. Why can't you leave these things to me? You go about like a bull in a china shop. You might at least have waited until the poor child had an opportunity to see the man before rushing in with your talk about money. She”— “She’ll like him all right," said ho confidently. “She will refuse even to meet him If she hears of your silly blunder tonight” His face brightened. Lowering his voice to a half whisper, he said: “We needn’t tell her what I said to that old chap, Lou. Just let her think I sat around like a gump and never said a word to anybody. We can”— “But she’ll pin you down. Will, and you know you can’t lie with a straight face.” “Maybe—maybe I’d better run down to New York for a few days," he mat

tered unhappily. “You can square it better than i pan.” “In other words, 1 can lie with a straight face.” she said ironically. "1 never thought she’d balk like this,” said be, ignoring the remark. “I fancy you’d better go to New York,’’ she said mercilessly. Sure enough, Mr. Blithers was off for New York soon after daybreak the next morning, and with him went a mighty determination to justify himself before the week was over. His wily brain was (working as it had never worked before. Two days later Count Quinnox received a message from New York bearing the distressing information that the two private banking institutions on which he had been depending for aid in the hour of trouble had decided that it would be impossible for them to make the loan under consideration. Vastly disturbed. Count Quinnox took the first train to New York, accompanied by Truxton King, who wa3 confident that outside influences had been brought to bear upon the situation, influences inimical to Graustark. Both were of the opinion that Russia had somethinguto do with it. “We may be able to get to the banks through Blithers,” said King. “How could he possibly be of assistance to us?” the count inquired. “He happens to be a director in both concerns, besides being such a power in the financial world that his word is almost law when it comes to the big deals.” All the way down to the city Count Quinnox was thoughtful, even preoccupied. They were nearing the terminal when he leaned over and, laying his hand on King’s knee, said after a long interval of silence between them:

“I suppose you know that Graustark has not given up hope that Prince Robin may soon espouse the daughter of our neighbor, Dawsbergen.” King gave him a queer look. “By Jove, that’s odd! I was thinking of that very thing when you spoke.” "The union would be of no profit to qs in a pecuniary way, my friend,” explained tbe count. ‘ w Still it is most desirable for other reasons. Dawsbergen is not a rich country, nor are its people progressive. Tbe reigning bouse, however, is au old one and rich in traditions. Money, my dear King, is not everything in this world. There are some things it cannot buy. It is singularly ineffective when opposed to an honest sentiment. Even though tbe young princess were to come to Grailstark without a farthing she would still be hailed with the wildest acclaim. We are a race of blood worshipers, if I may put it in that way. She represents a force that has dominated our instincts for a great many centuries, and we are bound band and foot, heart and soul, by the so called fetters of imperialism. We are fierce men, but we bend the knee and we wear the yoke because the sword of destiny is in the hand thatdrives us. To day we are ruled by a prince whose j sire was not of the royal blood. Our I prince assumes an attitude of independence that we find di lion It to over*

come. He Is prepared to defy an old precedent in support of a new one. In other words, he points out the unmistakably happy union of bis own mother, the late Princess Yetive, and the American Lorry, and it is something we cannot go behind. He declares that his mother set an example that he may emulate without prejudice to his couatry if he is allowed a free hand in chocsing his mate. “But we people of Graustark cannot look with complaisance on the possible result of his search for a sharer of the throue. Traditions must be upheld—or we die. True, the crown princess of Dawsbergen has American blood in her veins, but her sire is a prince royal. Her mother, as you know, was an American girl. She who sits on tbe throne with Robin must be a princess by birth or the grip on the sword of destiny is weakened and the dynasty falters.”

They had not been in New York city an hour before they discovered that William W. Dlithers was the man to whom they would have to appeal if they expected to gain a fresh hearing with the banks. The agents were in a dismal state pf mind. The deal had been blocked no later than the afternoon of the day before and at a time when everything appeared to be going along most swimmingly. Blithers was the man to see. He and he alone could bring pressure to bear on the directorates that might result in a reconsideration of the surprising verdict. Something had happened during the day to alter the friendly attitude of the banks. They were now politely reluctant, as one of the agents expressed it. which really meant that opposition to the loan had appeared from some unexpected source as a sort of eleventh hour obstacle. The heads of the two banks had as much as said that negotiations were at on end. that was the long and short of it. It really didn’t matter what was back of their sudden change of front, the fact still remained that the transaction was as ‘‘dead as a door nail" unless it could be revived by the magnetic touch of a man like Blithers “What can have happened to cause them to change their minds so abruptly?’’ cried the perplexed count. “Surely our prime minister and the cabinet have left nothing undone to convince them of Graustark’s Integrity and”— “Pardon me. count,” interrupted one of the brokers. “Shall I try to make an appointment for you with Mr. Blithers? I hear he Is in town for a few days.” 1 Count QulnnoX looked to Truxton King for inspiration, and that gentleman favored him with a singularly dispiriting nod of the head. The old Graostarldan cleared his throat and

rather stiffly announced that he would receive Mr. Blithers if he would call on him at the Ritz that afternoon. “What!” exclaimed both agents, half starting from their chairs in amazement. The count stared hard at them. “You may say that 1 will be iu at 4.” "He’ll tell you to go to—ahem!” Tbe speaker coughed just iu time. “B!ithers isn t in the habit of going out of his way to —to oblige anybody. He wouldn't do it for tbe emperor of Germany.” “But,” said tbe count, with a frosty smile, “I am not tbe emperor of Germany." “Better let me make an appointment for you to see him at bis office, it's just around the corner." There was a pleading note iu tbe speaker's voice. “You might save your face, Calvert, by saying that the count will be pleased to bare him take tea with him at tbe Ritz.” suggested King. “Tea!" exclaimed Calvert scornfully. "Blithers doesn't drink tbe stuff." “It’s a figure of speech," said King patiently. “All right; I’ll telephone.” said tbe other dubiously. He came back a few minutes later with a triumphant look in his eye. “Blithers says to tell Count Quiunox he’ll see him tomorrow morning at half past Bat bis office. Sorry he’s engaged this afternoon.” “But did you say 1 wanted him to have tea with us?” demanded the count, au angry flush leaping to bis cheek.

"I did. I’m merely repeating what be said in reply. Half past 8, at his office, count. Those were his words.” "It is the most brazen exhibition of insolence I’ve ever"-- began the count furiously, but checked himself with an effort. “I —I hope you did not say that I would come, sir!" “Yes; it’s the only way"— "Well, he good enough to call him up again and say to him that I’ll—l'll see him blanked before I’ll come to his office tomorrow at 8:30 or at any other hour.” And with that the count got up and stalked out of the office, putting on his hat as he did so. “Count." said King as they descended in the elevator. "I’ve got an idea iu my head that Blithers will be at the Ritz at 4.” “Do you imagine, sir. that I will receive him?” “Certainly, Are you not a diplomat?” asked King. “I am a minister of war," said the count, arid his scowl , was an indication of absolute proficiency iu the science. "And, what's more.” went on King reflectively, "it wouldn't in the least surprise me if Blithers is the man behind the directors iu this sudden move of the banks.” “My dear King, he displayed the keenest interest and sympathy tbe other night at your bouse. He"— “Of course I may be wrong." admitted King, but his brow was clouded. Shortly after luncheon that day Mrs. Blithers received a telegram from her husband. It merely stated that he was going up to have lea with the count at 4 o’clock and not to worry, as things were shaping themselves nicely. (To be continued.)

Dangers of Draft Drafts feel best when we are hot and perspiring, just when they are most dangerous and the result is Neuralgia, Stiff Neck, Sore Muscles or sometimes an attack of Rheumatism. In such cases apply Sloan’s Liniment. It stimulates circulation to the sore and painful part. The blood flows freely and in a short time the stiffness and pain leaves. Those suffering from Neuralgia or Neuralgic Headache will find one or two applications of Sloan’s Liniment will give grateful relief. The agonizing pain gives way to a tingling sensation of comfort and warmth and quiet rest and sleep is possible. Good for Neuritis too. Price 25c. at your Druggist.—Adv. Pickled Pork. Bacon is a very popular form of the pork diet. Everybody eats it, when they can get it, and some people get it every morning for breakfast. This .little article is to say that pickled pork is a good deal better and more appetizing than bacon. But it has to be cooked just right —fried to a crisp in a batter of flour or cornmeal coating. It used to be that way back in the days before or just after the war. By the side of such a dish, bacon has lost its taste. It seems, however, in these degenerate days people have lost the knack of cooking. They get too many flubdubs and too much style, allowing the essence of goodness to escape. Even “side meat’’ is better than bacon, cooked a la army style, on the end of a stick, over red coals of fire. Of course, the army appetite came in to help, but we have tried it in the long days of peace and maintain that a nicely toasted slice of side meat or pickled pork is finer than a tenderloin steak to any man or woman of exquisite taste. But you can’t get a stylish cook to cook it. It must be done by a person of a beautiful memory.—Ohio State Journal. Cut This Out—lt Is Worth Money. Don’t miss this. Cut out this slip, enclose with 5c to Foley & Co., Chicago, 111., writing your name and address You Will receive in return a trial package containing Foley’s Honey and Tar Compound, for lagrippe, coughs, colds and croup, Foley Kidney Pills and Foley Cathartic Tablets.—Sold everywhere. Crime increases at the rate of 300 per cent every 20 years.

THE LAST OF THE FORTY-NINERS ----- Man Who Crossed the Plains During California Gold Rush Found Indians Friendly. One of the few "Forty-Niners” who is still living is C. R. Post of this city now 90 years old. He crossed the great divide to California, starting from St. Louis when it was a town of 8,000 or 10,000. He was one of a party of 400 who went West in search for gold, most of them being Illinoisans, Post’s former home being in Sangamon county. The party on leaving St. Louis had 100 oxen to draw the wagons, but Post found this method of traveling too slow, and so, with a few companions and four oxen, he set out ahead and beat the rest of the party to California by a month. Post is still vigorous, and takes great interest in business and church affairs. In September he returned from a visit to San Francisco, where he had been in its early days and had seen some of its thrilling events, many of which are mentioned in “The Gray Dawn,” a story by Stewart Edward White. Post knew Judge Terry, who was sought by a mob, and other characters whom White names. On his visit to San Francisco Post was able to find the site of the old boarding house where he stayed more than a half century ago, now part of Portsmouth square. The journey across the great plains was not accomplished without great hardship. Often they ran short of food, and frequently there was insufficient grass for the cattle. On the way they caught up with one party that had been reduced to such straits that its members became cannibals and actually ate one of their number. While modern novels and the movies depict the Forty-Niners as having been attacked by Indians, their women stolen, men scalped and killed, Post says he found the Indians exceptionally friendly all the way across, although their party was a small one. Even the Sioux were hospitable. After reaching ’Humboldt river the party followed the stream until it disappeared under a desert, to reappear after a stretch of many miles. Post’s party took two days to cross the desert, two of the oxen dying on the trip. But, once across, there was the river again, cool and refreshing, and Post recalls how he stood on its banks for 10 minutes contemplating it as the most beautiful sight he had ever seen, before quenching his thirst. Post was one of the fortunates who found gold. He located near Downeyville, and soon after beginning his hunt he dug his spade behind a rock in a shallow stream and drew it forth laden with “pay dirt” containing $200 worth of gold. Later Post engaged in the lumber trade, as San Francisco was paying sky-high prices for building material. He sawed trees into lumber and made big money at it. In 1852 he left San Francisco for St. Louis, via the Isthmus of Panama, and crossed the isthmus along a mountain trail used for several centuries. While every Western town and mining camp was largely given over to gambling and drinking, Post says he has never taken a drink in his life, and that he gambled but 10 cents. This was in 1852 in San Francisco, when he loaned a man in a dance hall that amount and lost. Mr. Post is the father of the late C. W. Post, the millionaire manufacturer of Battle Creek, Mich., who left him $50,000. He does not appear to be over 70. His wife, a St. Louis woman, died only a year ago. —Ft. .Worth (Texas) Cor. New York World. -----

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Do You Raise Chickens? IT so, do you use an ' INCUBATOR? IF NOT, WHY NOT? There are many reasons why you should. It has been proved time and again, even by by those who only raise a small flock, that they are really a money getter. We have the agency for the Cyphers Incubator and supplies. No better machine made at any price. Call in and see them. Made in two grades. We have on display a cheaper one—the Economy. E. D. RHOADES & SON Tcommodious bungalow PLANT L : Design 1037. by Glenn L. Saxton, Architect. Minneapolis, Minn. * Mr' Sj HM Ext* a U WSn wS3 tffSRL fc. s3BKj%Ba| r PERSPECTIVE VIEW—FROM A PHOTOGRAPH. ZZZII| This bungalow has a piazza the entire width. Bookcases in the archway between the den and living room and china closets in the archway on the dining room side. Bathroom and two bedrooms, with large closets, on the first floor. In the second story, three large chambers and one small one. Size, exclusive of all projections, is 28 feet wide and 38 ; feet deep. First story, 9 feet; second story, 8 feet; basement, 7 feet. All in the clear. Finish for the principal rooms on the first floor oak, with oak flooring; elsewhere birch, with birch floors. Second story, Washington fir, with birch floors. Cost to build, exclusive of heating and plumbing, ?3,800. If the second story is left unfinished, SBOO or SI,OOO may be deducted from this estimate. Upon receipt of $1 the publisher of this paper will furnish a copy of JPIAZZA. Saxton’s book of plans. “American jh K* ~" J Dwellings,” whichpcontalns over 300 1 ■ designs costing from SI,OOO to ss.- [ 000; also a book of interiors. $1 per r**<rr FLOOR PLAN. copy.