Enterprise news-record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1910-1911, 1911-03-04
A Story Of Graustark

count Ha-onr lnterposeo GOOD nu-
moredly: There is nothing more to
come before us today, your grace, SO L
Iancy we may as well close the meet
ing. To my mind it is rather a 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 deliber
ations."
Prince Bobby broke In eagerly: "Un-
Gle Jack says I've just got to be inter-
ested In 'em whether want to or not.
lie says it's the only way to catch on
to things and become a regular prince.
You see, Uncle Caspar, I've got a lot
to learn"
Yes, your highness, you have" SOL
emnly admitted the premier. but /
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
confounded. 81 know Uncle Jack will
be glad to hear that. Hes-he's afraid
people may think he's butting in too
much"
"Butting inr' 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
what 1t should be. Butting in! Yes
terday l overheard him advising your
son, Pultz, to go chase himself. And
when your boy tried to chase himself
pom my word he did-what did our
prince say? What did you say, Prince
RobinT
81 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
us boys used to say In Washington"
GOD deliver us! Has 1t come to this
that prince Of Graustark should
grow up with such language on his
lips2 That confounded American has
every one hypnotizedr' exploded the
duke. His influence over this boy is
menace to our country. He is MAX
ing an oaf Of him-a slangy, impudent
little'-
"Your gracev interrupted Baron
Dangloss sharply.
"Uncle Jacks all right" declared the
prince, vaguely realizing that de-
fense should be Forthcoming.
HE is, eh?" rasped the exasperated
duke, mopping his brow.
HE sure Is" pronounced the prince
with finality that left no room for
doubt.
"He is mountebank, meddler,
that's what he isv exclaimed the over
heated duke.
But the prince had slid down from
bis 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-
bling all over, his eyes blazing. Don't
you say anything against Uncle Jack.
Pll-Pll Danish you-yes, sir-banish
you like my mother fired Count Mar
lanx out Of the country. / 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 1t,
all right! II hate your
The duke looked down in amazement
into the flushed, writhing face Of his
little master. For a moment he was
stunned by the vigorous outburst.
Then the hard lines In his face re.
laxed, a softer expression came into his
eyes. and he smiled kindly on the boy.
But Prince Bobby was still unap-
peased. II could have you beheaded,'
he said stubbornly. Couldn't 1, Uncle
CasparY
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 little
man, Prince Robin" he said. 81 glory
In you. I shall not forget the lesson
In loyalty that you have taught me-"
Bobby's eyes filed with tears. The
genuine humility Of the hard old man
touched his tempestuous little heart.
"It's-it's all right, du-your grace.
I'm sorry spoke that way too"
AS the prince strobe soberly from
the room Of wrangles" every eye was
upon bis sturdy little back, and there
was kindly light in each of them,
bar none. m
Later on the prince in his khaki rid
ing suit loped gayly down the broad
mountain road toward Ganlook beside
the black mare which carried John
Tullis. He had told Tullis Of his vain
glorious defense In the antechamber.
"Say. Uncle Jack, when are you go
ipg to take me to the wltch,s hQyely' !