Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-22
CHAPTER NNIN
The Birthday

THE Crown Prince Ferdinand William
L otto Of Livonia was having Il birth.
day. Now, birthday for Grown Prince
of Livonia is not a matteC Of a cake with
candles on II. and having his ears
pulled. once for each year and an extra
one TO grow on. Nor Of a holiday from
lessons, and picnic in spring woods.
Nor of a party, with children frolicking
and scratching the best furniture
In the first place, he was wakened at
dawn and taken to carly service i'm
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 as erect as possible, and
yawncd only once.
After breakfast he was visited by the
chaplain who had his religious iustruc-
ton in hand. and interrogated. lie
did not make more than about 60 per
cent in this, however, and the chap
lain departed looking slightly discour-
aged.
Lessons followed. and in each case the
tutor reminded him that, having now
reached his tenth birthday, he should
be doing better than in the past Espe-
cially the French tutor, who had just
heard a rumor of Hedwig's marriage,
At II o'clock came word that the
King was too in 10 have him to lunch.
con, but that lie would see him for a
few moments that afternoon. Prince
Ferdinand William otto. who was
diagramming the sentence, Abraham
Lincoln freed the slaves in America
and doing It wrong, looked up in dismay
"Hd like TO know what's the use Of
having a birthday he declared re-
belliOusly.
The substitution Of luncheon with the
Archduchess Annunciata hardly thrilled
him. Unluckily he made AN observation
TO that effect and got five off in Miss
Braithwaites little book
The King did not approve Of birth.
day gifts. The expensive toys which
the Court would have offered the child
were out Of key with the simplicity oi
his rearing As "A matter Of fact, the
Crown Prince had never heard Of a
birthday gift and had indeed, small ex.
perience Of gifts OF any kind, except as
he made them himself For that he had
great fondness. His small pocket al.
lowance generally dissipated itself In
this way.
So there were no gifts None, that is
until the riding hour came, and Milky
subverter Of all discipline. lie had
brought a fig lady. wrapped in paper
ITS quite fresh" he said, as they
walked together across the Place, ri
give Il to you when we ret 10 the ridinr
school l saw the woman myself TAXI
it out Of her basket, So it has no germs
on H."
But. although he spoke braveIy
Milky was the least bit nervous Firs
Of all he was teaching the boy doccp
tion. But why don't they treat hin
/ like a human being" he demanded nj
himself Naturally there was no an
/ swer. Maria MenrRd's son had mum
| Der OF birthdays in his mind. zeal birth
days with much indulgence connected
with them.
Second, suppose II really had germ
or two on il? Anxiously, having un
wrapped II, he examined Il In the sun
| light of a window OF the ring, Certainly
| thus closely inspected, II looked odd
/ There were small granules over IT,
/ The Crown Prince waited patiently
| Miss Braithwaite says that IL you lo0l
1 at them under glass, there are bug
1 on them" he observed, with interest
Perhaps, after all, you'd better no
| have it,"
They are very small bugs" sau
! Prince Ferdinand william otto anN
/ iously. II don't object TO them at all
So, after all, Milky uneasily presente,
his gift, and nothing untowaTd hap
pened, He was rewarded, however, b.
such a glow of pleasure and gratitud
| from the bov that his scruDles fad"1
No Hedwig again, to distract Milky
mind The lesaon went on, trot, cante'
low jumps. And then what Nikky calle
stunts" an American word which de
/ lighted the Crown Prince.
But, Milky, Ike tho big child he wa
himself, had kept his real news 70 III
last.
Already he was Offering himself o.
the altar Of the Child's safety. Benin
his smiles lay something OF the glow q
the martyr His eyes were sanken, hi
lips drawn He had not slept at all, no
eaten But 20 the boy he meant 10 sho'
no falling, 60 ba the prince Of play
mates, the brother OF Joy, Perhaps
this way, he felt, lay his justification.
SO now, with the Crown Prince faein
toward the palace again, toward lunch
e0ni with his aunt and a meeting wit
the delegati3n, Milky, like an cpicuI
- ekpao4lone said ~flv the tVaV Offl