Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-07-01
s* p =

will land us in the city we are looking
for" said Anguish, stretching out mis-
legs comfortably. "Tll admit II has
been tiresome journey, and I'll be
glad when we can step into decent
hotel, have a rub and feel like white
men once more. am beginning 10
fee, like these dirty Slavs and Huns
we saw way back there"
There's one thing certain" said
Lorry, looking out of the window.
THE people and the habitations are
different and the whole world seems
changed since we left that station.
Look at those fellows on horseback
over there"
what did tell you about brigands
and robbers!" exclaimed Anguish. "If
those fellows are not bandits, I'll lose
faith in every novel I ever read"
The train rolled slowly past three
mounted men whose steeds stood like
statues upon a little knoll to the right
OF the track, men and beasts engaged
in silent contemplation of the cars.
The men, picturesquely attired and
looking fierce, carrying long rifles, GER
tainly bore an aspect that suggested
the brigand. when the guard entered
the carriage, Anguish asked in Ger
man for some information concerning
the riders.
"Dey're frontier police guards" re-
spOnded the man in English, smiling
at their establishment. Both Ameri-
Z ghnnl Iun1G with him
by George, it's good to hear a man
talk white mans language" cried An
gulsh.
How do you come to be holding a
job on this road? An Englishman?"
demanded Lorry. He looked anything
but English.
I'm not an Englishman," said the
guard, flushing slightly. MY names
Sticky, an I'm an American, sir"
AN American!" exclaimed Lorry.
Sticky grew loquacious.
Sure! used to be a sailor on a
United States maI-o-war. A couple
OF years ago got into trouble down at
Constantinople an hau to get out OF
de service. After dat drifted up dis
way and went to railroadin'." he
hadn't exactly the manner of a man-o'-
warsman.
/ How long have you been on this
road?" asked Grenfau.
/ Bout year, | should tink. Been
on dis branch only two months,
dough-
( Are you pretty well acquainted N
Edelweiss?"
oh, run in dere every other day
In an out ag'in. It's a fine place-pur-
tiest you ever saw in your life. The
/ town runs right up the mountain to the
/ tiptop, where the monks are-clear up
In de clouds. Dey say 1t SHOWS up dere
almost all de time"
Later on from the loquacious guard
The two Americans learned quite a
good bit about the country and city TO
which they we're going. His knowledge
vas somewhat limited along certain
lines, but quite clear as to others.
Dis Graustark, s fer as l know, is
eeder sort o. state or somethin' be.
longin' to de umpire, governed by ITS
own rulers. Edelweiss Is de capital;
de big guns Of de land lives dere. I've
walked out an saw de castle where de
princess an de royalty hangs out. De
people speak a language OF DER own,
and ! can't get next to ting dey say.
But once in awhile you find some guy
dat talks French or German. Dey've
got little standin' army Of two tree
tousand men, an dey've got de hottest
uniforms you ever did see-red an
black an gold. | don't see why de
United States can't get up somethin'
foxy fer her soldiers to wear. Had a
war over here not long ago, ! under
stand-somethin' like ten or fifteen
years ago. Dere's another little coun-
try up north Of Graustark, an dey got
In a wrangle bout somethin', an dey
tell me in Edelweiss dat for bout a
year dey fought like Sam Patch"
(which was victorious?" demanded
Lorry, deeply interested.
I'm not sure. To hear de Edelweiss
people talk you'd t'ink dey licked de
daylights out Of de other slobs. but
somehow | got next to de fact dat dem
other fellows captured de city an went
} after slashin' big war indemnity.
don't know much bout 1t. an maybe
I'm clear off, but t'ink de Graustark
army was t'rashed, Everything is pros
porous now, dough, an you'd never
know dere'd been war, It's de most
peaceable town | ever saw"
did you ever hear OF the Guggen'
slockers?" asked the irrepressible An
guish, and Lorry felt like kicking him,
I'm Edeweiss? Never did. Friends
OF yours?"