Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-02-18

mentioned. At the head of the long
table, perched upon an augmentary
pile Of lawbooks, surmounted by lit
tie red cushion, sits the prince, almost
lost in the huge old walnut chair Of
his forefathers.
The prince was a sturdy, curly hair
ed lad, with big brown eyes and lam
entably noticeable scratch on his nose,
acquired in less stately but more prof
liable pursuits. ct seems that he
had peeled his nose while sliding to
second base in certain American
game that he was teaching the juve-
nile aristocracy how to play)
About the table sat the three regents
and the other men high in the admin
istration of affairs, among them Gen.
eral Braze Of the army, Baron Pultz Of
the mines, Roslon Of agriculture. The
Duke of Perse was discussing the great
loan question. The prince was watch
ing his gaunt, saturnine face with
more than usual interest.
"Of course 1t Is not too late to rescind
the order promulgated at our last sit
ting. There are five bankers in st,
Petersburg who will finance the loan
without delay. We need not delay the
interminable length Of time necessary
to secure the attention ard co-opera-
ton Of bankers in France and Eng
land. It is all nonsense to say that
Russia has sinister motives in that
matter. We need the money before the
winter opens. Why should we prefer
England? Why France?"
For some unaccountab!e reason he
struck the table violently with his fist
and directed his glare upon the aston.
Ished prince, The explosive demand
caught the ruler by surprise. He gasp
ed and his lips fell apart Then 1t
must have occurred to him that the
question could be answered by no one
save the person to whom 1t was so
plainly addressed. He lifted his chin
and piped up shrilly and with fervor
that startled even the intense Perse:
Because Uncle Jack said we should,
that's why"
1t goes without saying that the inno-
cent rejoinder opened the way to an
acrid discussion Of John Tullis. II
that gentleman's ears burned In re-
Spouse to the sarcastic comments OF
the Duke Of Perse and Baron Pultz,
they probably tingled pleasantly as the
result Of the stout defense put up by
Halfont, Dangloss and others.
The dukes impassioned plea was Of
no avail. His confreres saw the wis
dom of keeping Russia's greedy hand
out of the country's affairs-at least
for the present-and reiterated their
decision to seek the loans In England
and France. The question, therefore,
would not be taken to parliament for
reconsideration. The duke sat down,
pale in defeat; his heart was more Bit
ter than ever against the shrewd
American who had induced all these
men to see through his eyes.
At this juncture the prince, gather
ing from the manner Of his ministers
that the question was settled to his
liking. leaned forward and announced
to his uncle, the premier:
"I'm tired, Uncle Casper. How much
longer is it?"
Count Halfont coughed. "Anem!
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."
81 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, VINO
shifted uneasily on the pile Of law
books.
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 engagement"
"I had a date to ride with Uncle
Jack at II and to review tine troops"
Count Halfont interposed good hu-
moredly: There Is nothing more to
come before us today, your grace, so l
fancy we may as well close the meet
ing. To my mind it is rather silly
custom which compels 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 delip-
erations."
Prince Bobby broke in eagerly: I'm