Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-04-11
p xlI-continued.

nut Q oIUx Milky mao gone ne sat
In the darkness. He felt old and tired
and q hypocrtta The boy would not
forget az he himself had not forgot.
ten.
Peter Niburg was shot at dawn the
next morning. He went. q coward. to
his death. held between two guards
and crying p~iteously. But he died a
brave man. Not once In the long hours
of his Interrogation had be betrayed
the name Of the Countess Loschek.
The Crown Prince Ferdinand Will
liam Otto Of Livonia was having a
birthday. Now, a birthday for a crown
prince Of Livonia is not a matter Of a
cake with candles on 1t, and having
his ears pulled, once for each year and
an extra n to grow on. Nor Of a
holiday from lessons, and a picnic In
spring woods. Nor a party, with chill
'dren frollcking and scratching the best
furniture.
In the frst place. he was wakened
at dawn and taken to early service In
= the chapel, a solemn function, with the
court assembled and slightly sleepy.
The crown prince, who was trying to
look his additional dignity Of years.
sat and stood az erect as possible, and
yawned only once.
At eleven o'clock came word that the
king was too Ill to have him to
luncheon, but that he would see him
for q few moments that afternoon.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto, who
was diaEramming the sentence, "Abra-
ham Lincoln freed the slaves in Amer
aca." and doing 1t wrong, looked up in
dismay.
I'D like to know what's the use of
having a birthday" he declared re-
%belllously.
The king did not approve Of birth
day gifts. So there were no gifts.
None, that Is, until the riding hour
came, and Milky, subverter of all dis
cipline. He had brought a fig lady,
wrapped In paper.
TITS quite fresh" he said, as they
walked together across the place.
'Ill give 1t to you when we get to the
riding school. I saw the woman my
self take 1t out Of her basket. So 1t
has no germs on It."
That afternoon, attired In his uni
form Of the guards, the crown prince
received the delegation Of citizens In
the great audience chamber of the pal.
ace, q solitary little figure, standing
on the red carpet before the dais at
the end. The chancellor stood near
the boy. resplendent In his dress uni.
form, q blue ribbon across his shirt
front, over which Mathilde had taken
hours. He was the Mettlich Of the
public eye now, hard of features, i'm.
passive. inflexible.
He had staged the affair well. The
crown prince, standing alone, so small,
so appealing. against his magnificent
background, was a picture to touch the
hardest. Not for nothing had Mettlich
studied the people, read their essential
simplicity, their answer to any appeal
to the heart. These men were men Of
family. Surely no father Of q son
could see that lonely child and not
offer him loyalty.
With the same wisdom, he had given
the boy small instruction, and no
speech Of thanks. "Let him cay what
comes into his head" Mettlich had
reasoned. 1T will at least be
spontaneous and boyish."
Tho nrst formalities over, and the
crown prince having shaken hands
nine times, the spokesman stepped for.
ward. He had brought a long, written
speech, which had already been given
to the newspapers. But after a mo
ment's hesitation he folded It up.
"Your royal highness," he sold, look.
Ing down, II have here a long speech,
but all that II contains I can say brief.
". It 10 your birthday, highness. We
come. representing many others. to pre-
sent to you our congratulations, and
the love Of your people. It 10 our
hope"-he paused. Emotion and ex.
element were getting the better Of
ihim-"our hope. hlghness, that you
will have many happy years. TO fur.
Their that hope. We are here today to
cay that wc, representing all classes,
are Jour mast loyal subjects. We have
fought for bis majesty the king, and
- necessary W will light for you"
Hs glanced beyond the child At the
council. and his tone was strong and
'~ampasdcnsd. bat today We are here,
not b speak of war. but to present
70 you our congratulations, our d.
sotion, and our loyalty"