Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-08-04

Q German by birth-and they had no
difficulty in presenting their request
Mr.. Fraasch-Jacob Fraasch-was at
FIRST dubious, but their frank, eager
faces soon gained for them his consent
10 see that part of the great park
open to the public. Beyond certain
lines they were not to trespass. An
Euish asked how they could be expect.
ed to distinguish these lines, being I'M
acquainted. and the steward grimly
Informed them that the members of
the royal guard would establish the
lines 30 plainly that it would be quite
clear.
He then wrote for them pass to the
grounds of the royal palace of Grau-
stark, afiixing his seal. In giving this
pass to them he found occasion to say
that the princess had instructed him
to extend every courtesy possible to an
American citizen. 1t was then that
Anguish asked If he might be permit
ted to use his camera. There was an
instant and emphatic refusal, and
they We're told that the pass would be
rescinded If they did not leave the
camera outside the gates. Reluctant
~ Anguish deposited his luckless box
In the stewards Office, and they passed
into the broad avenue which led to-
ward the palace.
A guard, who served also as guide.
stepped to their side before they had
taken ten PAGES. Where he came from
fflnv veto, ,4c,,
was his appearance. He remained
with them during the two hours spent
In the wonderful park. ~
The palace stood in the northwestern
part Of the grounds, possibly half
mile from the base of the mountain.
Its front faced the mountain side. 1.-THE
visitors were not permitted to goyeloser
than quarter OLA Emile:from tile strac-
ture, but attained a position Groln
which 1t could sbesseen in alb its mass
i've, ancient splendor, Anguish, who
had studied churches and old struc-
lures, painted the castles on the Rhine
and was something of a connoisseur in
architecture, was of the opinion that it
had been standing for more than 500
years. 1t was vast, medieval mass
Of stone. covered with moss and ivy,
with towers, turrets and battlements.
The park was probably mile square
and was surrounded by high wall, on
the top of which We're little guard
houses and several masked cannon.
When they had completed their tour of
inspection. their guide rapidly led the
way to the wall that encircled the
grounds, reaching it at point not far
from the castle itself. Here was situat-
ed another large gate, through which
they did not pass. Instead they ascend
ed some steps and came out upon the,
high wall. The top of this wall was
several feet wide. and walking was
comparati yelyqsafe. They soon under.
stood the guide'ssdesign! The object
was to walk along this wall until they
reached the. main gate. Why this pc
cul1ar course was to be taken they
could not imagine at first Anguish's
fertile brain came to the rescue. He
saw number Of women in a distant
part of the grounds, and, remembering
their guides haste in conducting them
to the wall. rightly conjectured that 1t
was against custom for visitors to meet
and gaze upon members of the royal
household. The men and women, none
of whom could be plainly distinguished
from the PARKWAY wall, were undoubt-
edly part Of the castles family and
were not to be subjected to the curious
gaze of sightaeers. Perhaps her royal
highness the Princess Of Graustark
was amongthem.
They reached the main gate and de-
scended, Anguish securing his camera,
after which they thanked the steward
and turned to fee the guide. But he
had disappeared as if the ground had
swallowed him.
Well, it's fair Versailles" OBJ
served Anguish, as they walked down
the street, glancing back at the frown-
ing wall. @
ut all goes to make me wonder why
In the name of heaven we have never
heard of this land Of Graustark," said
LOFTY, still thinking of the castles
grandeur.
my boy, there are lots of things we
don't know. We're too busy. Don't you
remember that but one half the world
knows how the other half lives? I'll
wager there are not twenty-five people
in the United States who know there
Is such country as Graustark."
II don't believe that single soul
over there has heard of the place."
vouchsafed Lorry, very truthfully.
I'll accept the amendment" said
Anguish. Then he proceeded to take
snapshot Of the castle from the middle
of the street. He also secured a num-
Der Of views of the mountain side, of
some odd little dwelling houses and
two or three Interesting exposures of
red robed children. Everybody, from
the children up, wore loose robes, some
red, some black, some blue, but all in
solid colors. Beneath these robes were
baggy trousers and blouses among the
men. short skirts among the women.
All wore low boots and a sort Of tur-
ban. These costumes, of course, were
confined to the native civilians. At the
hotel the garb Of the aristocrats was
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