Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-02-15
Copyright. 1909 by
1GGSs 2odd. c. Company

, ested in EN- whether want to or not.
He says it's the only way to catch on
to things and become q regular prince.
You see, Uncle Caspar, I've got lot
to learn"
Yes. your highness, you have" sol
emily admitted the premier. "But I
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. 81 know Uncle Jack will
be glad to hear that. Hes-hes afraid
people may think he's butting in too
much"
"Buting 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,
| 1T must certainly have occurred to
you before this that our beloved
princes English, which seems, after
all, to be his mother tongue, is not
terday l overheard him advising your
son, Putz, to so chase himself. And
when your boy tried to chase himself
pom my word he did-what did oul
prince say? What did you say, Prince
Robin?'
IL forget" stammered Prince Bob
by.
"You said Nicer Or was it-er"-
mo, your grace; rats l remember.
That's what said. That's what all of
rs boys used to say in Washington"
God deliver us! Has it come to this
that prince Of Graustark should
grow up with such language on his
lips? That confounded American has
every one hypnotizedn' exploded the
duke. His influence over this boy is
a menace to our country. He is max
Ing an osf of him--a slangy, impudent
| little''-
'Your grace' interrupt, Baron
Dangloss sharply.
uncle Jacks all right" declared the
Tense should be Forthcoming.
HE is, eh?" rasped the exasperated
duke, hopping his brow.
"He sure Is" pronounced the prince
with finality that left no room for
| doubt.
"He is mountebank, meddler.
that's what he isw exclaimed the over
heated duke.
But the prince had slid down from
his pile Of books and planted himself
beside him so suddenly that the bitter
words died away on the old mans
| lips.
"You awful old man" he cried, trem-
you say anything against Uncle Jack.
| Ill-Tll Danish you-yes, sir-banish
you like my mother fred Count Mar
1anx 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 good licking. Oh, he can do it.
| all right! IL hate you"
The duke looked down in amazement
into the flushed, writing face Of his
| little master. For moment he was
| stunned by the vigorous outburst.
Then the hard lines in his face re-
| Taxed, softer expression came into his
eyes, and he smiled kindly on the boy.
But Prince Bobby was still unap-
| peased. Il could have you beheaded,"
he said stubbornly. Couldn't I, Uncle
! Caspar?"e
The Duke of Perse suddenly bent
| forward and placed his bony hand
| upon the unshrinking shoulder Of the
prince. his eyes cleaning kindly, his
voice strangely free from Its usual
harshness. You are splendid littla
man, Prince Robin" he said II glory
in you. I shall not forget the lesson
in loyalty that you have taught me-
Bobby's eyes filed with tears. This
genuine humility Of the hard old man
| touched his tempestuous little heart
"Its-its all right, du-your grace
| I'm sorry spoke that way too"
AS the prince strobe soberly from
| the room Of wrangIes" every eve was