Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-05-16

I put mp . dag at the bottom and took
possession. They're mine."
Really" said Prince Ferdinand
william Otto. quite delighted. He
would never have thought Of such .
A door Of iron bars at the foot Of
the long flight Of steps-there were
four Of them-stood open. Here day
light. which had been growing fninter.
entirely ceased. And here Bobby. hav.
ing replaced his mask, placed IN air
rifle over his shoulder. and lighted q
candle and held It out to the crown
prince.
"You can carry It," he said. "Only
don't le.. It drip on you. You'll spoil
your Clothes" There was a family
scornful note In his voice. and Ferdi-
nand William Otto was quick to hear
1t.
II don't care at all about my
clothes" he protested. And to prove
1t he deliberately tilted the candle and
let q thin stream Of paraffin u down
his short Jacket.
you're a pretty good sport" Bobby
observed. And from that time on he
addressed his royal highness as "old
sport"
When they reached the old dungeon
the candle was about done. There was
only time to fashion another black
mask out of a piece Of cloth that bore
a strange resemblance to a black
waistcoat. The crown prince donned
this with a wildly beating heart. Never
In all his life had he been so excited.
"We can get another candle. and
come back and cook something" said
the senior pirate, tying the mask on
with pieces Of brown string. 1T gets
pretty smoky, but I can cook, you'd
better believe"
So this wonderful boy could cook,
also! The crown prince had never
met any n with so many varied at
tainments. He gazed through the eye
holes, which were rather too fur apart,
10 gapt admiration. .-
"As you haven't got q belt" Bobby
said generously. "rll give you the rifle,
Ever hold a gun?"
"Oh. yes" said the crown prince
He did not explain that he had been
taught to shoot on the rifle range OF
his " regiment, and had won quite
a number Of medals. He possessed
indeed, quite a number Of small bu,
very perfect guns.
With the last gasp Of the candle
the children prepared to depart. The
senior pirate had already forgotten the
two men he had trailed through thu
passage, and was eager to get out
doors.
Ready" he said. "Now, remember
old sport. we are pirates. No quarter
except to women and children. Shoe
every man.
"Even If he Is unarmedw inquired
the crown prince, who had also studied
strategy and tactics, and felt that al
%unarmed man should be taken prls
oner.
"Sure. We don't really shoot them
silly. y Now. Get In STEP"
Then began. for the crown prince
such a day Of Joy as he had neve
known before. Even the Land Of De
light faded before this new bliss o
stalking from tree to tree, Of killing
unsuspecting citizens who sat on rug
on the ground and ate sausages an,
little cakes. Here and there, wher
a party had moved on, they salvage'
Il bit Of food-the heel Of a loaf, on
Of the small country apples. Shade
Of the court> physicians, under who's
direction the crown prince was dali
fed n carefully balanced ration!
When they were weary, the
stretched out on the ground, and tn
crown prince, whose bed was night
dried with q warming pan for fear O
dampness, wallowed blissfully o
earth still soft with the melting frost
Of the winter. He grew muddy an
dirty. He had had no hat, Of cours,
and his bright hair hung over his fort
head In moist strands. Now and the
he drew q long breath Of sheer happ
ness.
AS dusk descended, the crowd gra,
ually dispersed, some to supper. br
some to gather In the place and In tn
streets around the palace. For tn
rumor that the king was dying woul
not down.
At last the senior pirate consulte
q large nickel watch.
See! it's almost supper tlme." /
said.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto col
suited his own watch. the n vii
the inscription: ITO Ferdinand w
liam Otto. from his grandfather, Q
the occasion Of his taking his fr
communion"
"Why can't you come home to sol
per with mel" asked the senior pirat
"Would your folks kick up a rowT
II beg your pardonT
"WOuld your family objectr
"There Is only one person who won
mind" reflected the crown primo
, aloud. land she will be angry. nnyho,
d lido you think your mother will |
o wIlling7"
WWiuinoe Nuro sho will NV 0ovo