The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-10-08
CHAPTER ~.
The Consui1 Story.

'HC NOUou' 0tOTy.
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.
It's 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 a vacation,
really. l am on a big assignment, Mr..
Consul. I may want your help-the
only trouble is, don't know what do
want to dol am after a story, and |
don't know where X is or what 1t Isl"
The gaunt, kindly old man smiled
at her. well, my dear, rest assured
that will do all l can for you. And,
between us, we ought to start some
thing, maybe; II it's stories you're
after, you've come to the place where
they grow, that's sure enough. Why,
Miss Kitty. the story 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. | sup
pose"
Well, 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 the
assignment of looking into Gretzhoffen
In general. / remember that the old
kings name was Michael, wasn't it,"
The one that died? Yes, Michael
the First. He was a good sort. His
death was the unluckiest thing that
ever happened for this poor little peo-
pie. He was good man, King Michael.
and a strong one and Just. So much
cannot be said, am thinking. of the
new incumbent of the throne Michael
the Second.
You see, this Michael the Second is
only king In name, when it comes to
facts. He is only a little lieutenant.
he mas been put on the job by bigger
and stronger man-Count Frederick is
the real power behind the throne in
dretzhof1en--a strong and handsome
man-be sure you don't fall in love
with him. What Count Frederick
plans no one knows Perhaps he
mas his own eye on the throne-we
can't tell what may happen. l say it
IS tense sort OF place, Gretzhoffen.
But Gretzhoffen is broke. Michael, the
King. Is broke. Count Frederick, the
warwick Of Gretzhoffen, also is broke.
mat Is why they tried to make loan
m our own country.
But they didn't seem to have the
unused revenues-noth-
ng which had not been used or spent
Or wasted.
When Michael the First died, his
.reasury disappeared He was rich.
ne old king was--rich in the name of
iretzhoffen. But the crown jewels,
ne imperial securities, the crown
reasures of all sorts, the imperial
nintage OF every description-they
disappeared. There was rumor that
ne old king hid his treasures some
'nere, but that he left some sort of a
mysterious record by which they might
'e traced. No one knows Just what
vas left for that record. 1t is known.
lowever, or supposed, at least, that it
vas put into the possession OF an old
ervant-one Of the few men the old
ing trusted. But this man finally
ave up some part of what he knew
art or the proof, whatever it waste
ne new king, when he himself was
bout to die.
between them, Count Frederick and
ilcnaei the Second bankrupted this
lngdom, or at least Michael did II