The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-01-28

was a soldier. There is one duty
that the soldier in command never
neglects: the duty to those who
fell while fighting bravely for or
against him. Sunday Afternoon a
force of men was set to work bury
ing the dead and clearing the
pavements. Those of his own nom
descript army who gave up their
lives on the 26th were buried in
the public cemeteries. The SOL
diers of the crown, as we'll as the
military police, were laid to rest
in the national cemetery, with
honors BETTING their rank. Each
grave was carefully marked and a
record preserved. In this way
Marlanx hoped to obtain his first
footing In the confidence and es-
TEEN of the citizens. The unrec-
equitable corpse of Olga Pratanova
was buried in quicklime outside
the city walls. There was some
thing distinctly gruesome in the
fact that half dozen deep graves
were dug alongside hers, hours
before death came to the wretches
who were to occupy them.
At three O'Clock the Iron Count
coolly sent messengers to the
homes of the leading merchants
and bankers of the city. They,
with the priests, the doctors, the
municipal officers and the manu-
facturers were commanded to ap-
pear before him at five o'clock for
the purpose of discussing the well
fare of the city and its people.
Hating, yet fearing him, they
came; not one but felt in his
heart that the old man was undis-
puted ruler of their destinies.
Hours of horror and despair, a
night and day of bitter reflection,
had brought the trembling popu-
lace to the point of seeing clearly
the whole miserable situation. The
reserves were powerless; the Royal
Guard was besieged and greatly
outnumbered; the fortress was
lost. There was nothing for them
to do but temporise. Time alone
could open the way to salvation.
Marlanx stated his position
clearly. He left no rom for doubt
In their minds. The strings were
in his hands: he had but to pull
them. The desire of his life was
about to be attained. Without
hesitation he informed the lead
ing men of the city that he was
to be the prince of Graustark.
81 have the city," he said calm
ly. "The farms and villages will
fall in line. I do not worry over
them. In a very short time l shall
have the castle. The question for
you to decide for yourselves is
this: will YOU be content to remain
here as thrifty, peaceable citizens
protecting your fortunes and be-
ing protected by a man and not
bya child. If not, please say so
The alternative is in the hands OF
the crown. I am the crown. The
crown may at any time confiscate
property and Danish malcontents
and disturbers. A word to the
gentlemen. Inside of a week we
will have new government. You
will not suffer under its admins
tration. l should be indeed fool
to destroy the credit or injure the
Integrity of my own dominion.
But, let me say this, gentlemen"
he went on after a pause, in which
his suavity gave way to harshness;
you may as well understand at
the outset that 1 expect to rule
here. / will rule Graustark or
destroy here"
The more courageous in his au-
dience began to protest against
the high-handed manner in which
he proposed to treat them. Not
a few declared that they would
never recognize him as a prince
of the realm. He waited, as 8
spider waits, until he thought
they had gone far enough. Then
he held up his hand and com.
manded silence.
Those of you who do not ex.
pect or desire to live under my
Irule--which, I promise you, shall
be wise one-may leave the city
for other lands just as soon as my
deputies have completed the for.
NAL transfer of all your belong.
ings to the crown treasury-all
/ say, even to the minutest trife
Permit me to add, in that con.
nection, gentlemen: the transfer
will not be prolonged affair.""
They glared back at him and
subsidized into bitter silence.
II am well aware that you love
little Prince Robin. Ha! You
may not %cheer here, gentlemen
under penalty of my displeasure
1t is quite right that you should
as loyal subjects, love your prince
whoever he may be. I shall GER
tainly expect it. Now, respect