Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-08-24
A Diplomat
How He Got His Start In
His Profession.
By SAMUEL e. BRANT.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association,
BY SAMUEL e. BRANT.
Copyright. 1910. by American Pre-
Association,

Z BY SAMUEL E. BRANT. =
= Copyright. 1870 by American Press
y Association. =
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
James Maitland. son Of an admiral
in the y. S. navy, fell in love with and
married Mile. Julie de Lavalle, the
daughter Of French diplomat who
had spent many years in the French
service, considerable portion of
which time he resided In Washing
ton. M. de Lavalle never represented
his country as ambassador: be was an
adept at secret methods then in vogue
between nations. but. since the open
diplomacy of the late Secretary Hay.
now largely done away with. When
any quick Machiavellian work was to
be executed it fell to Lavalle.
Maitland and Mile. de Lavalle
were married while the groom was
employed In the state department.
At the time the Panama canal was
being located and there was any
amount Of chicanery perpetrated both
as to its location and the prevention
Of it's location both by Central and
North Americans. Then came young
Maitland's opportunity. One morning
the secretary sent for him, handed him
a dispatch and told him that he wish
ed him to take it to the United States
consul at Vera Cruz, who would see
that it reached its destination.
Delighted at being thus enabled to
make beginning in his profession.
Maitland took the dispatch-it was
placed in an official envelope of the
state department addressed to the con-
sul-and was about to leave when the
secretary said to him:
1T is essential that the information
contained in that envelope reaches our
consul in Vera Cruz on or before the
18th After that date it will be too
late. 1t is well that you should know
that its prompt delivery will involve
the making or the failure to make
millions Of dollars by certain capital
lists. You will therefore be very guard
ed in speaking of your mission and
watch we'll the dispatch. l send it to
Vera Cruz by you in order that no
one in this country may know its ul-
innate destination. Nevertheless there
are plenty of spies about. and we may
have them right here in the state de-
partment Be careful. and good luck
to you"
When Maitland went home and with
the exhilaration of youth told his wife
Of his mission. its Importance. consid-
ering the interests involved. and all
that, she failed to show similar en-
thusiasm.
what is it. pet?" be said "You
don't seem pleased
Jimmie" she replied, you will
never get it through"
why not?"
''They will steal it from you"
what makes you think so. Julie?"
"From little girl | have heard my
father tell the ways people take to out
wit one another. l know all about it.
You know nothing"
However, the little woman packed
her husbands suit case-all the bag
gage he proposed to take-then took
the dispatch to the library, and when
she returned handed her husband box
of cigars. He opened it and removed
the top layers and below was an en-
velepe addressed to Sonora Sanchez.
Mexico City. in Nine. Maitland's own
hand.
Little one. you're a BRICK" said the
young diplomat. Il see your scheme.
1t would never do to leave the dis
patch in my suit case under cover of
state department envelope. would it,"
mo. Now. Jimmie. do be careful of
the suit case aud don't let it out of
your sight moment"
Maitland gave her a dozen kisses,
picked up the suit case. called a car
riage and started for the train. He
reached New York during the after
noon and went at once on board the
steamer which was to sail early the
next morning. He was about to lock
his stateroom door on the suit case,
when. remembering that there might
be other keys that would unlock it.
he took the dispatch out from under
the cigars and put 1t in his pocket. If
he was followed. with a view of steal
ing the document. his baggage was
surely the first Mace the thief would
look for it. In order to discover if tho
case had been opened for the purpose.
In replacing the cigars be laid all Of
those on the top row with the ends in
the same direction except one. which
he reversed. Having done this be
went on deck for air.
The next morning Maitland found
himself out on the Atlantic ocean head
ing for the Gulf of Mexico. He walk
ed the deck alone, having resolved not
to make single acquaintance. In the
afternoon be went to his stateroom for
a nap. and before lying down it occur
red to him to examine bis suitcase.
Not that be really expected to find
evidence of any one having been there,
but simply to satisfy himself that it
was as be had left it.
What was his establishment to find
every cigar in the box laid in the same
direction. The one be had placed diff
ferently had been reversed
The discovery took his breath away.
flor all his wifo WAC rirbt If tboro