Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-27
Misfella,,eous.
ALEXIS IN THE OIL REGIONS.

Anticipating visit from the Prussian
Grand Duke, the Titusville Herald thus
describes the preparations which might
be made for his reception
The committee who have charge of the
frlnce have not yet made any definite ar
rangements, but it is probable he will
come by way of the Pennsylvania Tubing
and Transportation line, to afford him an
opportunity to maintain the gravity" for
which he is always noted. He may change
his mind, however, and arrive by way of
Ileasantville, in one of the celebrated
line OF ..jaunting cars' now plying be-
tween that city and this. The stanch side
wheel craft, the Belle of Red Hot" and
a pair of web-footed mules that ca skim
over the country roads as though they
were on land, has already taken her sta
ton near the five mile drinking station,
and a man is kept standing on the hind
quarter deck, who will, as soon rs the
Prince is sighted, cut the breeching, let
Slip his anchor and bring the news to the
top of Magees Hill, where fleet of oil
wagons, wheelbarrows, hand-carts and
chaises are lying at anchor. A member
OF the common council and the city audi
tor, if they can be harnessed together
peacefully for a few minutes, will then
board the royal craft by crawling through
the stern ports, and ascertain whether the
prince desires to enter the city the same
day he arrives, or would prefer to remain
in quarantine day or two until the prom
lnent citizens are shampooed, shaved and
shined up. Whatever decision the duke
| arrives az will be respected, save that he
must pass through the Titusville and Pit
hole plank road tollgate and pay his toll
like every other man; after which he can
strike any gait he chooses.
Captain O'Brian, of the six-mule cor
vette, who is in charge of the reception
squadron, who has ''drove a hack for
twenty years." and now has a hacking
cough among his testimonials, will have
the exclusive privilege of taking the
prince by the coat collar and assisting
him into his vehicle. The route of the
procession will be confined to the Penn
sylvania Petroleum Company Railroad,
aud it will break ranks at the new county
courthouse.
1t is thought now that the city street
commissioner will roof over the Dutch
Gap excavations in Spring street, and
convert them into luxurious subterranean
suites OF apartments, as the distinguished
visitor will probably remain some months
in our midst, and desire some quiet re-
treat where he will not be disturbed, as
he would in the common hotels usually
devoted to entertaining "bigbugs." The
prince, too, is noted for his socability and
freedom from supercilious snobbishness
he is always willing to descend to a level
with the people, and in this case will go
about ten feet below.
| ho NJ
the consul have spoken for tho branch
lines of excavations, while the Prince will
occupy the main. The front entrance,
which is at the mouth of Church Run, Sc
cures the utmost privacy; only one man
can enter at time and he is compelled
to crawl several blocks on his hands and
knees before going into the royal apart
ments. A guard will be stationed at the
Barnsdall reservoir, and at a given signal
will flood the sewer-pipe or entrance with
water, thus effectually preventing any ad-
mission to interviewers from Old City and
| Hydetown. Within the Dukes castle all
is gorgeous in the extreme. A Westmin-
ster carpet of crude petroleum tint covers
the floor. 1t is five feet thick and Yields
to the pressure of the foot until the head of
the occupant only is seen. The shorter
members of the Dukes staff are only en-
abled to navigate these apartments by the
aid of bladders tied under their chins. 1t
is that fact that led to an unreliable corre-
spondent stating that several of the royal
party were troubled with gOitre Etrus-
can vases nine feet in height, occupying
four corners of the room, each filled with
rare native perfumes peculiar to this re-
gion, among which are "extract de sewer"
"bouquet de acid works, refinery roses"
and "night blooming soap-fat." The bu-
reau is of the freedmen's s pattern and con-
tains several pairs ofgovernment drawers.
1t is spendidly carved by an old turkey
carver. A slab of marbleized bull wheel
covers the top and supports a spendid full
length mirror, swung on pivOts. On each
side is a winged angel standing on his
head, and supporting, circus fashion on
his feet q couple of oil tanks in gold con-
tanning peppermint and goose hair oils,
while small cherub sits on the top, and
with silver squirtgun perfumes the
room with lemon and vanilla flavoring ex-
tracts. All around are other luxurious de-
vices, lounges for lounging. divans for
diving, and chairs of such oriental volupt
uousness that the setter or occupant disap-
pears in their velvet depths and comes out
on the floor below. Paper collar boxes
hiiOu WIN iiaho5ohy o"NUuoo aio ptdCcu
within easy expectorating range in every
direction. Ranged around the walls are
portraits of eminent city councilmen and
street commissioners, while fall-length
portraits of the pavement committees,
each framed in samples of his favorite
pavement are also displayed.
These are but few of the many fea-
lures that will be made public when the
duke arrives. lie will sleep on a solid
gold bedstead the sheets are of sheet
silver, while the ''kiverlids" are of NAL
leable brass. The washhowl is of solid
gold. and the toilet soap is in the shape of
silver brick; it don't lather very well. but
is elegant in the extreme, and is paid for
by the city auditor, after being approved
by the council The prince will be
groomed every morning with gold curry
combs, and rubbed down with lubricating
oil. To be sure, the programme is less
extravagant than that of New York, for
Titusville is not yet accustomed to enter
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