The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1909-11-11

with pride. / have an idea. What
joke 1t would be for me to go to the
emperor's headquarters and pretend
to be the emperor"
EN- bet you a thousand thalers that
unless you run up against the emper-
or himself or some of the royal family
you can play emperor as long as you
like"
II take the bet. But first promise
that you wiD not give me away"
Il promise that But are you going
to Berlin simply to enjoy the sensation
Of being emperor"
His majesty is not in Berlin
Where is hep
Follow me-"
The two sportsmen. for such they
were, moved away.
who are your asked the man who
was to play emperor of the other
Il am Heinrich Borngesser, a Ger
man American citizen. 1 have return
ed to visit my father, who lives near
here"
do you shoot anywhere you like in
American"
Pretty nearly. l live in Missouri.
We can shoot anywhere there. Your
name is
"Just now l am his majesty En-
perior William III. Don't think Of me
as any one else You might betray
me inadvertently"
You are right. l will begin by adj
dressing you as your majesty. Where
are we going, your majestyT
"Ho, no! Your majesty Say it
again. We are going to a shooting
lodge the emperor has some distance
from here. He is hunting"
They walked for half an hour when
his majesty said: The shooting lodge
is right up there. Don't be fright
ened."
Frightened? Do you suppose an
American can be frightened at royal
ty? Not l. consider myself as good
as the emperor"
''The devil you dor
''See here" said Mr.. Borngesser
anxiously, I'm not afraid Of an en-
peror. but l seriously object to skat-
ing around with an impostor."
"Oh, you do? Very well, IL you are
afraid, pay me the thousand thalers.''
Not by long shot. Proceed"
THE emperor's impersonator led the
way to the lodge. threw down his
game bag In which there were two
pheasants and said to courtiers who
came up obsequiously.
This Is Mr.. Borngesser from Amer
lea. He viii be our guest for the
day. Let all possible consideration be
shown him"
One took Mr.. Borngesser's gun, an
other his game bag Cbrimful of pleas
ants, and another offered him re-
freshment He looked very uneasy
and as soon as an opportunity offered
whispered to the impestor:
Suppose the emperor should sud-
denly appear"
I'm that case l would win my bet.
1t would prove that I could not play
the sovereign without detection"
Dinner was soon served, and the
American sat down at table with Ibis
majesty and a small suit at the lodge.
What do you do with poachers Ia
Missouri asked Ibis majesty"
There are no poachers. for there
are no preserves"
I'VE jail them here. AS a German
American citizen we are pleased to
honor you, but as a poacher you VIII
have to spend a few months in pris-
on
The American tried to laugh, but in
stead he turned pale
Then there viii be a few more
months punishment for leze majesty. y
'Leze majesty"
Didn't you say awhile ago that you
considered yourself as good as the
emperor? What do you think of that,
gentlemen? This resident of the far
west in America considers himself as
good as ourself"
80 that's your game said the
American, firing up, by pretending
to be emperor to get me in here for
blackmail"
His majesty" burst with an uR-
controllable ft of laughter His suit
looked dumfounded.
Count" said his majesty to one of
those at the table, give Mr. Born
keSStE CHECK AOF luouSdnu l1alefS-
he bet me this morning that | could
personate myself without detection.
While out after pheasants 1 found him
shooting on the preserve with all the
GOODNESS Of an American And he had
the fmpudence to tell me that be con
sidered himself as good as To-
Mr.. Borngesser was astonished. The
9ranfSa+fon no had fnl+ at asrIraffrn
round with an impostor" vanished, bu
In its place came discomposure at hav
ing been poacher on the imperial
preserve and having told the emperor
that he was "as good as he"
OSCAR COX.