New-York tribune., 1901-03-31
GA VARIETY TURN" j."
LEZF, MAJESTY IN LUTZINCEN-

Except in tourist time, The duties of her mai
esty's consul at Weissberg on-the-Oder cannot
be called excessive. AS it was yet early spring
in the principality OF Lutzingen, had absolutely
nothing to DO. save to poke UP an official fire.
read unofficial novels, and Con fortunate occa-
sions) converse with chance callers at the con-
sulate.
This of the fortunate occasions" for
NJ de Lamothe had come to cheer my solitude.
had met NJ de Lamothe only few days be-
fore. while exploring the wooded country on the
other side of the Oder. He Alsatian. he
explained. and a writer by profession-but as he
did not favor me with particulars regarding his
works I gathered that his literary aspirations
were so far uncrowned by success.
NJ de Lamothe and I had been discussing Jo-
hann XXIII. the absentee Prince of Lutzingen:
my Alsatan acquaintance agreeing in rather
listless way with the and decidedly unGp-
lomatc sentiments which i expressed. No
doubt. Mr.. Mallory you are right" he said "A
ruling sovereign should. I suppose. live among
his subjects. But has he not placed the govern
ment in the hands of good ministers? There is
Herr Won Rottweier the president of the Coun-
Gil of State
"A professional politician, nearly as unpopular
as the prince himself. II 1 might speak quite
. unreservedly'-
Please do. Mr.. Mallory. I shall carry no
tales"
We'll. it is indiscreet talk; but the state of
affairs dissusts me much that it is a comfort
to find some one TO whom can relieve my feel
inss safely" And then and there told Lamothe
everything which I had discovered about the
corruption practised by Won Rottweiler and the
other councillors. the seandaIous over-taxation
CT the people the wholesale bribery in connection
with government contracts. and the infamous
proposal TO turn the capital town of Marbach
into a gambling centre Lamothe listened po-
liteiy while I unburdened myself raising his
eyebrows over the most fragrant portions of the
narrative. but displaying very great interest.
Il never heard that Prince Johann was a
profiisate, L put in. but merely that he u
careless young fellow. who spent his time in ex-
ploration and travel. instead of properly govern
ing his people"
LamOthe's reply I did not hear for the noise
OF carriage wheels in the streets caused me to
turn my attention in that direction. Had the
Consui-General at Marbach honored me with a
visit? No y lady descended from the coach
which stopped directly outside my door and
presently the following card made it's appear
ance: Miss Kitty Gosser. CYou All Know
I{er,') From the PRINCIPAL Music Halls LON
don
L gazed deIightedIy at this announcements and
motoned NJ. de LamOthe to keep his seat by the
treside. OF course. l knew Kitty tfosser
Don't stir, NJ de LamOthe." said. NY
visitor is one of the jolIiest little women and the
best variety singer in England
We heard her buSinessIike step on the stair
The door opened. and in she saiIed-rruch as she
does at home, though trifie less brilliantly at
tired But in spite of her outward appearance
of good humor and the jaunty fashion in which
tupon my intrOductonb she gave her hand 70
I-anothe. / could see clearly that all was not
We'll with Kitty GOsser. And as Miss Kitty was
not the one to keep either her happiness or sor-
row to herself We We're in possession Of
the secret trouble to which / owed this visit
You know that I've been a flat failure in my
German tour she said
No. had not heard that regrettable news
was about TO add that could scarcely credit it,
but Kitty interrupted my intended consolation
That's all nonsense. Mr.. Phil Mallory. l know
when I'm making mess of it, They don't un-
derstand me here. From Berlin To Baden nv
songs have fallen fiat; and unless I DO some
thing sensational To make them flock to see me-
shall have to so back to The Smoke IN pre-
sumo she meant LOndonl with my flag hauled
down. Think how Nellie Burlington will laugh,
how they'll all laugh.-Phil Mallory you must
do something To give leg up
i cast mock mOurnful look at Lamothe but
that worthy was admiring my view of the Dom
strasse. and had apparently no interest in the