Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-04-08
A Diplomatic Coup.
IOriginaI.l


| IOriginaIl
Edgar" said the Hon. Gladys Hill
house, "why don't you go into diplo-
macy?"
Because, being younger son, no
| money is to be spent on me. I'd need
both that and influence to get into
| diplomacy. No; my father is deter
mined that shall go to America and
earn living as best can. Why won't
you go with me?'
"Silly boy! You will find all you can
do there to support yourself without
being burdened by me. Besides, father
! would not consent. No; you must go
into diplomacy"
ut seems to me that your PROPOSE
ton is as silly as mine."
mot at all. Your father certainly
has influence sufficient to get you an
assistant secretaryship or something
| like that"
"At $500 year. What would that be
to us?'
"You might rise to better position"
when you and are past middle
age. Thank you, 1 don't propose to
wait for dead mems Shoes"
But the girl carried her point and
Edgar Manross secured a clerkship in
the foreign Office at a salary of f25O a
year. Being young and attractive be-
sides the son of a baronet, he was
pushed, but not in the way he wished
to be pushed. He was forced to do
social work. If courtesy was to be
shown any person for any purpose, Ed
gar Manross was deputed to do it.
Now it was to drive some Turkish
pasta in Rotten row, now to show a
foreign messenger through Westmin-
ster abbey or the British museum. Tir-
ing of this, he went to his chief and
asked for trial at some real diplo-
matte work. He was laughed at.
Going to the Hon. Gladys, he poured
out his woes to her in a disconsolate
fashion. There is faculty possessed
by women-at least some women-that
Is pleasing If not valuable. When the
bottom drops out they can say hopeful
ly: 'Never mind. 1t will all come out
right in the end" So said Gladys, and
Edgar went away thinking what a
lovely little fool she was.
At his rooms he found an order to at
tend dinner, representing the for
ai0n office 1t was not an important
function or he would not have been
sent. He went and found an assem-
blage consisting of members of parlia-
ment, secretaries of legation and jun
Tor government officials. When the
speaking came on Edgar retired to
cushioned window seat behind a pair
of heavy curtains and went to sleep.
AS the evening wore on the assembly
was thinned by the departure of the
more sober persons, leaving only a few
noisy ones. About 1 o'clock Edgar
woke up. Some one sitting near was
talking. Edgar knew by the voice and
the language spoken that he was
member Of the French embassy.
HE asks f4,000,OOO."
"Why doesn't your government pay
1t at once?"
at has offered f3,5OO,O0O, but will
raise the price rather than let the
shares go to any other power"
81 should think so. To control the
only outlet by sea between Europe and
Asia is worth many times the amount"
Soon after the speaker went away.
Edgar Manross sat up and did prodi-
gious lot Of thinking. 1t did not take
him long to deduce from the dialogue
he had heard that sale of property
very important to England was about
to occur. Keeping between the cur
tains till he saw his exit would not
be noticed, then passing through the
few groups Of remaining guests and
walters, the latter clearing away the
remains of the feast, he went out and
called a cab.
ITO Lord DIS" he said to the cabby.
When he drove up to Lord DIS there
was not light to be seen. Neverthe-
less he rang and finally pounded be-
fore the door was opened. Then he
told the funky who opened it that he
must see the prime minister at once.
He was refused till he said he had i'm
portant diplomatic information for his
lordship. Lord d. came down in dress
ing gown and slippers.
II have important information for
your lordship," said Edgar. 81 am a
clerk In the foreign Office or would
stipulate price for it. AS it is, only
ask that be given promotion"
Lord d. yawned and directed him to
proceed.
''The khedive of Egypt is about to
sell his shares In the Suez canal"
''The deuce you sayw exclaimed the
minister, starting up.
"He Is offered f3,50O0O0 by France.
He is standing out for f4,OO0,000."
The minister stood with mouth and
eyes wide open while Edgar told how
he had secured the information. Then
presently he said:
"Have you a cab at the door?"
EYES,"
"Hold 1t whileT get on some clothes"
In ten minutes the two were whirl-
ing to the residence of Baron Roths-
child, whom they routed out, and before
he was permitted to retire again he
xuoS pJad0a m f,,rrfSh %ho r,onay 20