ord Ellsworth, Millionaire

ome time ago Baron Von Lodge was the head of a small country near Switzerland known as Lilliland.

Many of the European and British aristocracy visited Lilliland regularly on vacation for skiing, hiking, sailing, or just enjoying the mountain-view.

When people of nobility planned a visit, they typically made arrangements well in advance of the visit. A staff member or two at Lilliland Castle were given the task to make the visitors as comfortable as possible for the purpose of promoting good international relations.

Then there was Lord Ellsworth from Wales. He was the exception to all of the rules of hospitality. The Baron never knew when he was coming to visit Lilliland, or where he was planning to stay. He invented fictitious names and registered for a small plain room at one of Lilliland’s more modest hotels. He dressed in the most typical attire of the average tourist. He brought no entourage, just himself.

Once, the Baron and Professor Hamblin found out that he was in Lilliland because he was staying at a hotel where he was recognized. Lord Ellsworth was asked to meet with the Baron and Professor Hamblin. At the meeting the Baron expressed concern that he wanted to welcome him and make sure that any of his needs were attended to.

Lord Ellsworth said, “That’s just the point.” Everywhere he went, people went out of their way to look after him. “Probably because they hope to receive a larger than normal tip, or keep me under surveillance by potential robbers, or something else.” And as an eligible bachelor, his so-called friends wanted to keep introducing him to equally eligible women.

Lord Ellsworth said that by just coming and doing as he wished, he could take more time to enjoy the mountains and lake activities. “All I want to do is just blend in with the crowd.”

Lord Ellsworth was very pleased with his plan to be inconspicuous until one night he took deathly ill in his small hotel room. He was rushed to the hospital where his true identity was learned. Immediately the Baron and Professor Hamblin were notified. It seemed that Lord Ellsworth had contracted a rare illness while visiting India and the medicine he needed was at his castle in Wales. Professor Hamblin contacted the embassy in Wales to immediately go to the castle and find out the ingredients in the medicine.

A pharmacy in Wales contacted a pharmacy in the hospital and the medicine was quickly prepared and given to Lord Ellsworth. He survived and agreed to call on the Baron every time he visited Lilliland.