The Reporter Who Made Himself King | Page 7

irons; so be careful."
Stedman gazed at his companions in their different costumes,
doubtfully. "It reminds me," he said, "of private theatricals. Of the time
our church choir played `Pinafore.'"

"Yes," assented Albert; "but I don't think we look quite gay enough. I
tell you what we need,--medals. You never saw a diplomat without a
lot of decorations and medals."
"Well, I can fix that," Stedman said. "I've got a trunkful. I used to be
the fastest bicycle-rider in Connecticut, and I've got all my prizes with
me."
Albert said doubtfully that that wasn't exactly the sort of medal he
meant.
"Perhaps not," returned Stedman, as he began fumbling in his trunk;
"but the King won't know the difference. He couldn't tell a cross of the
Legion of Honor from a medal for the tug of war."
So the bicycle medals, of which Stedman seemed to have an
innumerable quantity, were strung in profusion over Albert's uniform,
and in a lesser quantity over Stedman's; while a handful of leaden ones,
those sold on the streets for the Constitutional Centennial, with which
Albert had provided himself, were wrapped up in a red silk
handkerchief for presentation to the King; with them Albert placed a
number of brass rods and brass chains, much to Stedman's delighted
approval.
"That is a very good idea," he said. "Democratic simplicity is the right
thing at home, of course; but when you go abroad and mix with
crowned heads, you want to show them that you know what's what."
"Well," said Albert, gravely, "I sincerely hope this crowned head don't
know what's what. If he reads `Connecticut Agricultural State Fair. One
mile bicycle race. First Prize,' on this badge, when we are trying to
make him believe it's a war medal, it may hurt his feelings."
Bradley, Jr., went ahead to announce the approach of the American
embassy, which he did with so much manner that the King deferred the
audience a half-hour, in order that he might better prepare to receive his
visitors. When the audience did take place, it attracted the entire
population to the green spot in front of the King's palace, and their

delight and excitement over the appearance of the visitors was sincere
and hearty. The King was too polite to appear much surprised, but he
showed his delight over his presents as simply and openly as a child.
Thrice he insisted on embracing Albert, and kissing him three times on
the forehead, which, Stedman assured him in a side-whisper, was a
great honor; an honor which was not extended to the secretary,
although he was given a necklace of animals' claws instead, with which
he was better satisfied.
After this reception, the embassy marched back to the consul's office,
surrounded by an immense number of the natives, some of whom ran
ahead and looked back at them, and crowded so close that the two
Bradleys had to poke at those nearest with their guns. The crowd
remained outside the office even after the procession of four had
disappeared, and cheered. This suggested to Gordon that this would be
a good time to make a speech, which he accordingly did, Stedman
translating it, sentence by sentence. At the conclusion of this effort,
Albert distributed a number of brass rings among the married men
present, which they placed on whichever finger fitted best, and
departed delighted.
Albert had wished to give the rings to the married women, but Stedman
pointed out to him that it would be much cheaper to give them to the
married men; for while one woman could only have one husband, one
man could have at least six wives.
"And now, Stedman," said Albert, after the mob had gone, "tell me
what you are doing on this island."
"It's a very simple story," Stedman said. "I am the representative, or
agent, or operator, for the Yokohama Cable Company. The Yokohama
Cable Company is a company organized in San Francisco, for the
purpose of laying a cable to Yokohama. It is a stock company; and
though it started out very well, the stock has fallen very low. Between
ourselves, it is not worth over three or four cents. When the officers of
the company found out that no one would buy their stock, and that no
one believed in them or their scheme, they laid a cable to Octavia, and
extended it on to this island. Then they said they had run out of ready

money, and would wait until they got more before laying their cable
any farther. I do not think they ever will lay it any farther, but that is
none of my business. My business is to answer cable messages from
San Francisco, so that the people who visit the home office can see that
at least a