Bogalusa enterprise. [volume] (Bogalusa, La.) 1914-1918, 1915-08-26
CHAPTER ".
The ConsuI's Story.

The business of any true American
consul is to have known the father, or
at least some relation, of any caller
who comes from his own nation. Con-
sui Jethro Thompson of Ohio, cast
away in the melancholy enterprise OF
representing the dignity of this repub-
lie in this small and none-too-well-
known principality of Gretzhoffen, was
glad-really glad-to see Miss Kitty
Gray. And he knew-really knew
her father, Or had done SO at the time
when he was still living.
Its a grand little place. isn't It
Gretzhoffen?" said Kitty smiling. i've
read about it-and written about it
before now. But this isn't vacation,
really. l am on big assignment, Mr..
Consul. l may want your help-the
only trouble is, don't know what do
want to do am after story, and
don't know where it is or what it is! y
The gaunt, kindly old man smiled
at her. well, my dear, rest assured
that l will do all l can for you. And,
between us, we ought to start some
thing, maybe; if it's stories you're
after, you've come to the place where
they grow, that's sure enough. Why
Miss Kitty, the Aory of the king OF
| Gretzhoffen alone would fill book"
what do you know of Gretzhoffen
anyhow" he asked suddenly. You
said you had written about it. l sup
pose"
We'll, you see,' replied Kitty
when the big news story about the
proposed Gretzhoffen loan-its hawk
ing about the street and its rejection
when that came out was put on thu
assignment of looking into Gretzhof1e1
in general. l remember that the OLE
kings name was Michael, wasn't it,
"The one that died? Yes, Michae
the First. He was a good sort. Hi
death was the unluckiest thing tina
ever happened for this poor little pee
pie. He was a good man, King Michael
and strong one and a just. So mucl
cannot be said l am thinking, of tn
new incumbent of the throne, Michae
the Second.
you see this Michael the Second i
only king in name, when it comes t
facts. He is only little Lieutenant
He has been put on the job by bigge
and stronger man-Count Frederick
the real power behind the throne i
Gretzhoffen--a strong and handsom
man-be sure you don't fall in low
with him. What Count Frederic
plans no one knows. Perhaps h
has his own eye On the thrCne-W
can't tell what may happen. | say
is a tense sort Of place, GretZhoffel
But Gretzh0ffen is broke. Michael, ii
king, is broke. Count Frederick, II
Warwick of GretZhofren, also is brok
That is Why they tried to make a loa
, in our own country.
Put they didn't seem TO have Il
collateral--no unused revenues-not
0 ing which had not been used Or spel
< or wasted.
i "WhCn Michael the First died, h
e treasury disappeared He vas ric
/ the old king was-rich in the name
e Gret2hotfen. But the crown jewel
g the imperial securities, the crow
Il treasures Of all sorts. the fmperi
J. mintage Of every descripti0n-th,
disappeared. There was rumor th
the old King hid his treasures SON
@ where but that he left some sort Of
u mysterious record By which they mig
s be traced. No one knows just VII
5 was left for that record. 1t is know
II however, or supposed, at least, that
; was put into the possession Of an O
e servant--cne Of the few men the Q
r king trusted. But this man final
s. gave up some part Of what he knew
S part Of the proof, whatever it was
the new king, when he himself W
a about to die.
"a "Between them, Count Frederick a
lie Michael the Second bankrupted II
le Kingdom, or at least Michael did.