The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-12-16
s ss.|. K 'TRUXTON KING" . AtSs:k Bar.

Ipon, and yet you could bend it
double. All, there was a spien-
did piece of work, sir. You should
see the little toy to appreciate II.
There are diamonds and ruhias
worth $4,000 gavvos set in the
handle. All, It is"
Truxton's eyes were sparkling
once more. Somehow he WAS
amused by the sudden garrulous-
ness of the old armourer. lie
held up his hand to check the flow
of words.
II say, Herr Spantz, or Mon
sleur, perhaps, you are the fl 81
man I've met who has volunteered
to go into rlapsodie5 for my b-u-
lefit. I'd like to have a good lon 2
chat with you What do you 8; ).
to a mug of that excellent beer
over in the Cafe garden?
Business seeGis to be Il little dull.
Can't you--er-lock up?"
Spantz looked at lin Ike anly
under his bushy broNs, his littl ;
black eyes fairly boring noles into
Kings brain. so to speak.
May / ask what b'lngs you til
Edelweiss?" he asked abruptly.
Il don't mind telling you, M.
Spantz, that I'm hero because
I'm somewhat of a fool. False
hopes led me astray. l thought
Graustark was the home, tho
genesis of Romance, ana I'm NOR
or less like the chap we've read
about, who was always in search
of adventure. Somehow, Graus-
tark hasn't come up to expectu-
lions. Up to date. this is tie
slowest burg I've eve seen. I'm
leaving next Saturday for Vienna. ="
Il see," cackled Spantz, his eve;
Itwinkling with mlrth. "Ycl
thought you could capture wild
and beautiful princesses here Just
as you pleased, Ell? | ct me tell
you, young nan, only one Ameri
can-only ons foreigner, in fact
has accomplished HAT miracle.
Mr.. Lorry came here ten years asc
and won the fairest flower Grads-
tark ever prod,lced--tf beautiful
Yetive--but lie was TIE only one.
| suppose you are surprised 20
find Graustara solo prosperous,
God-fearing little country, whose
people are wise and iarpy an
loyal. You hare learned, by thi:
time, that We have re princessus
for you to protect. 1t isn't as il
was when Mr.. Lorry came and
found Her Serene R:ghness in
medieval difficulties. There is a
prince on the throne today =
you've seen him?"
NO. I'm not looking TO
princes. I've seen hundreds L.
'em in all parts of tho world"
We'll, yo. should see Prince
Robin before yGu scott. He's tie
most wonderful littir man in al
the world"
I've head If nothing but h.,
my good Mr.. Spantz He's seven
years old and he lroks like hi.
mother anG he's got a Jewels
sword AMI I'll! th4t sort o.
thing. l daresay he's u nice little
chap. Got American hl9od in hir,
you see."
DO not lot any one hear yo..
laugh about him, sir. The peop.e
worship him. If you laugh TIC
publicly, you riay have YOUR hands
full of adveas ures IN a very fe..
minutes-anC your aody full ol
line steel blades. We are We }
proud of our Prince"
II beg your pardon, Mr.. Spantz
didn't mean lese majestic. Tr
bored, that's all. You wouldn'
blame me for being sore If you,
come as far as l have and got Al
little for your pains. Why, han,
It all, this morning that con
founded man from Cooks had g.:
party of twenty-five Americas
school-teachers and Bible stu
dents in the Castle grounds and
had to stand on my toes outsid,
the walls for two hours before
could get permit to enter
American engineers are buildin,
the new railroad; American CAPT
tai controls the telephone ant
electric light companies; there ar
two American moving pictur
shows in Regengetz Circus and al
! American rush hand laundry tw
blocks up. And you can get Bour
bon whisky anywhere. It's sicken
, ing"
THE Americans have don
much for Edelweiss, sir. We don
resent their progressiveness. The
| have given us modern improve
; ments without overthrowing an
; cient customs. My dear young sill
we are very old here-and yer
honest. That reminds me that
should accept your kind Invitation
to the Cafe garden. If you wi
bear with me for just one me
ment. sir" With this polite re
quest, the old man retired to tn
rear of the shop and called out t