The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-03-10
II-Continued

tuaC the question was SettleQ 10 us
liking, leaned forward and announced
to his uncle, the premier:
I'm tired, Uncle Caspar. How much
longer is it|
Count Halfont coughed. "Ahem!
Just a few minutes, your highness.
Pray be patient-er-my little man"
Prince Bobby flushed. He always
knew that he was being ~patronized
when any one addressed him as my
little man
II have an engagement" he said,
with a stiffening Of his back.
The Duke of Perse smiled grimly. In
his most polite manner he arose to ad-
dress the now harassed princeling,
who shifted uneasily on the pile Of
lawbooks.
May your most humble subject pre-
sumo to inquire into the nature Of
your highness' engagement"
You may, your grace" said the
prince.
The duke waited. A smile crept into
the eyes of the others. "Well, what is
the en.agenient?'
Il had a date to ride with Uncle
Jack at II and to review the troops"
Count Halfont interpOsed good hui
moredly: There is nothing more to
come before us today, your grace, SO l
fancy we may as we'll close the meet
ing. To my mind it is rather a silly
custom which conpels us to keep the
prince with us--er-after the opening
Of the session. OF course, your high
ness, we don't mean to say that you
are not interested in our grave deliber-
ationS."
Prince Bobby broke in eagerly: I'm
Gle Jack says I've just got to be inter
ested in 'em whether | want to or not.
He says it's the only way to catch On
to things and become a regular prince.
You see, Uncle Caspar, I've got a lot
to learn"
Eyes, your ~highness, you have" sol
EMMY admitted the premier. But |
am sure you will learn"
Under such an able instructor as
Uncle Jack you may soon know more
than the wisest man in the realm
added the Duke Of Perse.
Thank you, your grace" said the
prince so politely that the duke was
COMPOUNDED. II knOw Uncle Jack will
be glad to hear that. He's-he's afraid
people may think he's butting in too
much"
"Butting in.' gasped the premier.
AT this the Duke of Perse came to
his feet again, an angry CLEAN in his
eyes. My lords" he began hastily,
sit must certainly have occurred to
you before this that our beloved
princes English, which seems, after
all, to be his mother tongue, Is not
what it should be. Butting in! Yes
terday | overheard him advising your
son, Pultz, to go chase himself. And
when your boy tried TO chase himself
'pon my word he did-what did our
prince say? What did you say, Prince
Robin?'
I'll forget" stammered Prince Bob
by.
You said Mice Or was it-er"-
"No, your grace: rats. ! remember.
That's what / said. That's what all Of
us boys used to say in Washington"
God deliver us. Has it co,lc to this
that a prince Of Graustark should
grow up with such language on his
lips? That COMPOUNDED American has
every II hypnotized!' exploded the
duke. His influence over this boy Is
a menace to our country. He Is max
ing an oaf Of him-a slangy, impudent
little
Your grace interrupted Baron
Dangloss sharply.
Uncle Jacks all right" declared the
prince. vaguely realizing that a de-
Tense should be Forthcoming.
HE is. eh?' rasped the exasperated
duke, hopping his brow.
"He sure is" pronounced the prince
with a finality that left no room for
doubt.
"He IS a mountebank, a meddler.
that's what he is,'' exclaimed the over
heated duke.
Rut the prince had slid down from
mis- pile Of books and planted himself
beside him so suddenly that the bitter
words died away on the old mans
lips.
"You awful old mani" he cried, trem-
bling all over, his eyes blazing. Don't
you say anything against Uncle Jack.
Tll-Iii Danish you-yes, sir-banish
you like my mother fired Count Mar
lapx out of the country. l won't let
you come back ~here-never. And be-
fore you go I'll have Uncle Jack give
you a good licking. Oh. he can do it,
all right! II hate you"
The duke looked down in amazement
into the flushed, writing face of his
little master. For a moment he was
stunned by the vigorous outburst.
Then the hard lines in his face re-
Taxed. a softer expression came into his
eyes. ana ne smiled kindly on the hoy.
But Prince Bobby was still unap-
peased. Il could have you beheaded,' -
he said stubbornly. Couldn't l. Uncle
Caspar"
The Duke Of Perse suddenly bent