Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-06-04

Nikolal and l were seated outside
the Hotel New York at Vienna when
he read me an extract from the Tage
blatt. 1t was a summary Of the long
column that followed, and merely stat
ed that Prince Leopold, of a certain
Balkan state, the identity of which
shall conceal under the name OF
Pennsylvania, was to be crowned king
on the following Monday
You have followed the events which
led up to this, of course" said my
companion.
Not with much interest" / an
swered.
"Well,' said Nikolai. 81 will explain
them to you. AS you are doubtless
aware, Pennsylvania has played long
and unhappy role as champion OF the
eastern Christians against the Turks
After five centuries of subsection, she
achieved her independence in 1878. A
prince from the native stock was chos'
en- to rule the people. Unfortunately
their many wars and instructions
had unsettled their habits and six
months ago, his son was driven from
the throne and republic established
This proved disagreeable to Rus
sia and Austria. A threat OF war
which followed, induced the parlia
ment to submit to the appointment OF
a new prince, Leopold, scion of a
petty German state. AS a salve to his
subjects, who hate him vehemently, he
is to be made king, and he arrived
in Cheskaf, the capital, yesterday eve
ming, for the first time in his life. On
Monday he will be crowned In the
cathedral with some little ceremony
and strongly guarded. for riots are
feared, and, If the mob gets hold OF
him, his life will be endangered"
What is your scheme?' | asked.
Nikolai took up the paper and read
aloud
The new crown, with the orb
sceptre, and complete royal regalia
has arrived from Paris at the king s
residence in Cheskaf, where until the
coronation they will be displayed each
day to his majesty's future subjects.
You are not going to steal the
CROWN" | cried.
II am going to take the next train
to Cheskaf and have look at 1t,
Nikolai replied enlgmatically. Are
you going to accompany me?
That evening we were speeding over
the vast Hungarian plains. At noon
next day our train steamed into Ches
kat station We engaged apartments
at the best hotel and, that same after
noon followed the multitudes into the
palace, to the room where the regalia
were on exhibition.
Here we encountered our first dis
appointment, for the statement con
cerning the orb and scepter proved
Incorrect There was neither There
was however a magnificent crown
fresh from the Paris jewelers., stud
ded with pearls, diamonds, rubies, ant
sapphires; its value, Nickolai whis
pered to me, must have been close up
on a million and half In American
dollars Beside it lay few OF the
kings decorations, but Of trivial value
THE crown alone Is worth the at
tempt" said Nikolai, planting himself
in front of it until moved on by the
sentries. There were at least doz
en- of these Germans. from Leopold's
own principalty, and they formed the
butt of much jesting and scurrilous re
marks among the native visitors, VINO
evidently bore them no good will.
The crown was placed within case
of strong plate glass. Around this
ran an iron railing, and the whole wal
enclosed in a network OF tough, ex
ceedingingly fine steel wire. Even hat
the sentries been absent IT Woulc
have been difficult enough to get a.
our booty. Nikolai admitted defea
when we had returned to our hotel
Then for heavens sake let US re
turn to Vienna" l exclaimed. THE
thing as you say, is impossible
AT least we'll see the coronation.
Nikolai answered who knows bu
that may yet become king. l have
long wished to be. Once l nearl!
was. but that" He paused. "Dit
YOU ascertain which was his majesty
apartment" he asked.
He laughed when l replied curtly
"I did" he said. II gathered Its 10
cality from some remarks let fall b!
one of the Pennsylvania chamber
lains, who was abusing the German
sentries. Pennsylvania Is almost iden
tical with French; Rome was the par
ent of either tongue. The apartmen
overlooks the inner courtyard, so tha
to reach 1t one must pass through
the palace. One cannot enter iron
the street"
"In heavens name, what is in you
mind?" | cried.
"Leopold is still unmarried" salt
Nikolai thoughtfully. THAT immense
ly lightens our problem. l hate t
deal with women; they're apt t.
scream. Besides, one cannot wei
break into a princess apartment-a
least, not If one is gentleman. Good
night, Summers"
And he strolled off to bed, leavin
me a prey to suspense during the er
tire night,
The first moment that I clappe
eyes on him the following morning h
began again
"The daily paper says that the al
rangements for tomorrow's coronatio
are completed" said my companion
] ayrta o.oun haa haan taken to tn