(1988) The Golden Room Read Online Free PDF Page B

Henry of Prussia, head of the German Navy, the brother to Kaiser Wilhelm. He’s coming to the United States to pick up the kaiser’s new yacht - and he intends to make one side trip - right here to Chicago, presumably because of our large German population. May I ask you, Mayor Harrison, is this true?’
    ‘Absolutely. I don’t have the date, yet, but I believe that Prince Henry will be in our fair city in about three weeks.’
    Armbruster leaned forward intently. ‘Mayor, the fact is, I would like to meet Prince Henry.’
    ‘I’m sure that can be arranged.’
    ‘I don’t mean merely a handshake. I would like to have a relaxed talk with him. Will he be very busy?’
    The mayor thought about it. ‘Well, Prince Henry’s visit is still in the planning stage. We hope to have him place a wreath on the Abraham Lincoln Monument. Then we plan to escort him on a quick visit through the city. About this talk you want with Prince Henry - is it important?’
    ‘To me it is, yes, very important,’ Armbruster said urgently. ‘I want to request that the prince assist me in becoming
    ambassador to Germany.’ Armbruster checked himself briefly. ‘Let me confide in you, Mayor Harrison. I have at this stage in my life almost everything a man could wish. A prosperous business. A beautiful mansion for a home. A devoted family and good friends. I have as much wealth as I could ever want. I have everything that Armour, Swift, Marshall Field, and my peers have, except one thing - social status. My peers have it. I don’t. For the benefit of my wife, my children, myself, I would like to have social status too. Becoming ambassador to Germany would give me exactly that.’
    Mayor Harrison was confused. ‘But aren’t ambassadors appointed by - well, wouldn’t that come from our secretary of state or President Roosevelt?’
    ‘Of course, Mayor. But they could be influenced. If I had an opportunity to ingratiate myself with Prince Henry, he could pass my name on to the kaiser, and the kaiser in turn could suggest to President Roosevelt that he would like me appointed ambassador. I’m sure that would do it. I may not have diplomatic background, but I am German and speak German perfectly. I’d be a logical choice.’
    ‘I’m sure you would be,’ said Harrison. ‘The problem is arranging time for you to speak privately with Prince Henry. He’s going to have a tight schedule.’
    ‘What are you planning for his evening here?’
    ‘Why, a formal banquet, of course. I haven’t worked it out yet, but -‘
    ‘That’s it!’ Armbruster exclaimed. ‘Let me host the banquet with you. By happy coincidence, I’m preparing a big banquet of my own. My son Alan is engaged to a lovely Southern belle from Kentucky - Cathleen Lester, the niece of two socialites in Chicago. They will be married at my home about the time of Prince Henry’s arrival. I should like to have Prince Henry attend the wedding and the banquet and ball to follow. At such a sentimental event he should be most responsive. I can draw him aside and bring up the ambassadorship. How does that strike you, Mayor?’
    Mayor Harrison stood up, smiling broadly. ‘I like it very much. It takes a great burden off my shoulders. I’m sure it can all be arranged, subject only to Prince Henry’s approval. How’s that?’
    ‘Capital! Splendid!’
    Shortly after lunch, Mayor Harrison summoned his immediate staff to a crucial meeting in his office.
    Harrison lay back in the tall chair behind his desk, faced by a semi-circle of aides. The only woman in the room was the attractive young secretary, Karen Grant, whom he had hired several months before the election.
    ‘It’s about my major campaign promise,’ Harrison began. ‘I made many secondary promises to the public, and they will eventually be fulfilled. But my primary promise to the electorate, as you all know, was to introduce sweeping moral reforms in this city. All houses of ill repute in the Levee must be eliminated. Of