Show DECORATED the awkward awl ward predicament of a statesman Sta who tried to bo be polite when count von beust was chit aban 11 bellor of austro he was the possessor of so many foreign decorations that he used to keep the caws containing diamond stars and gold crosses in a large drawer one day bays says the bouthi chan chain p pon w the minister of 0 a second class Is european power was to be receil rece ived cd by oh the e count A As s t the h e v visit isi t w was a s t to 0 b bo a a an n olli lr cial one count C 0 u n t Beus be u tasked t as k e d a friend f ri ei i d to ransack tho the drawer and find the g grand r c cross ro s s 0 of f th alie e order of th alie e country represented r e p n te d by b y the h e minister rhe friend searched but could no not find it and told the count oi of r h his is failure u r e but B ut as a a the t i i e chancellor e han e el 1 or w assure ass u re it m must u s t be 0 millaid mislaid mi m is 1 a i d and n d a as s it was y fitting that lie should pay the minister the compliment of wearing his insignia be he sent his secretary to a jeweler to purchase tho decoration having been duly provided with ith the cross tie lie attended the reception the aho minister appeared carrying in his hand a parchment roll and a large larie jewel case beust being shortsighted short sighted did lid not notice these but engaging the diplomatist lo in in corn conversation creation sought to discover the object of his visit the minister seemed embarrassed and scarcely took his eye from the star which adorned cott coat at last he stammered out that he had been commanded by his royal ro al master to confer a grand cross on count beust he ile held in in his hand the insignia and ili the 0 d diploma but ut a as his is excellency was as he lie sa saw w alread I 1 d of the order d er hie his mission ir sion so far as t alie in investiture e t iu m was concern concerned d was at a an end face was a study stud but he was equal to the occasion your excellency said he lie will I 1 am sure readily excuse my error so many great powers have honored me va with ith rivers ei ec orations that I 1 could not believe that I 1 did not alread already y pos sess one from his majesty your sovereign 11 the minister being the represents tire of a second ond rate kingdom was pleased with the compliment the count took off the purchased order and put the other in its place |