The Hattiesburg news., 1910-01-24

houses. st. Petersburg and Berlin we're
not to be given the opportunity TO COB
BILE up these extremely fine securities
This seemingly extraordinary exclu-
sion of Russian and German bidders
was the result Of vigorous objections
raised by an utter outsider. the Ameri-
can. John Tullis. long time friend and
companion of Crenfall I.orry. consort
to the late princess.
Tullis was strange man in many
particulars. He was under forty years
Of age. but even at that rather imma-
ture time Of life he had come to be
recognized as shrewd. successful
financial power in his home city. New
York At the very zenith Of his pow
or he suddenly and with quixotic dis
regard for consequences gave up his
own business and came to Craustark
for residence. following q promise
made to Grenfall Lorry when the lat
ter lay dying in 4 little inn near Brus-
sells.
They had been lifelong friends. Tul-
lie jestingly called himself the little
princes "morganatic godfather" For
two years he had been a constant resi-
dent Of Graustark.
His wide awake, resourceful brain,
attuned by nature to the difficulties Of
administration. lent itself capably to
the solving of many knotty financial
puzzles; the ministry was never loath
to call on him for advice and seldom
disposed to disregard 1t. An outsider,
he never offered suggestion or plan
unasked. To this single qualification
he owed much Of the popularity and
esteem in which he was held by the
classes and the masses Socially he
was a great favorite. He enjoyed the
freedom Of the most exclusive homes
in Edelweiss.
There was but one man connected
with the government to whom the pop
ularity and influence of John Tullis
proved distasteful. That man was the
Duke Of Perse. On more than one
occasion the cabinet had chosen to be
guided by the sagacity of John Tullis
In preference to following the lines
laid down by the astute minister Of
finance. The decision to offer the new
bond issue in London and Paris was
due to the earnest. forceful argument
OF John Tullis-outside the cabinet
| chamber, to be sure. This was but
one instance in which the plan of the
| treasurer was overridden. He resent
ed the plain though delicate influence
OF the former Wall street man. Tullis
had made it plain to the ministry that
Graustark could not afford to place it.
self in debt to the Russians. into whose
hands sooner or later the destinies of
the railroad might be expected TO fall.
The wise men of Graustark saw his
point without force Of argument and
voted down in the parliament the
dukes proposition to place the loan in
st. Petersburg and Berlin. For this
particular act Of trespass upon the
dukes official preserves he won the
hatred Of the worthy treasurer and his
no inconsiderable following among the
deputies.
But John Tullis was not in Edel-
weiss for the purpose of meddling
with state affairs. He was there be-
cause he elected to stand mentor to
the son of his lifelong friend, even
though that son was a prince Of the
blood and controlled by the will of
three regents chosen by his own sub
jects.
To say that the tiny prince loved
his big. broad shouldered. ruddy cheek
ed, adoring mentor would be putting
it too gently; he idolized him. Tullis
was father. mother and big brother
to the little fellow in knickers.
One woman in Graustark was the
source of never ending and constantly
increasing interest to this stalwart
companion to the prince. That woman
was. alas. the wife Of another man.
Moreover. she was the daughter of
the Duke of Perse.
The young and witty Countess of
Marlanx came often to Edelweiss. She
was favorite at the castle. notwith-
standing the unhealthy record of her
ancient and discredited husband. the
Iron Count. Tullis had not seen the
count. but he had heard such tales of
him that he could not but pity this
glorious young creature who callr,l
him husband.
At present we are permitted to at.
tend meeting of the cabinet. which
sits occasionally in solemn collective
ness just off the throne room within
the tapestried walls of dark little
antechamber known to the outside
world as the room of wrangles.' "
The question under discussion relates
to the loan of 100000 gavvos. before
mentioned. At the head of the long
table. perched upon an augmentary
pile of lawbooks. surmounted by lit
tie red cushion. sits the prince, almos,
lost in the huge old walnut chair OF
his forefathers.
The prince was a sturdy. curly haired
lad. with big brown eyes and a lam
entably noticeable scratch ON his nose
acquired in less stately but more prof