San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-08-16
Marshall Wilder Speaks Highly or ais
Kindness and Sociability.

Marshall Wilder Speaks Highly or His
Kindness and Sociability.
The first time met the prince to have any
conversation with him was at the house of a
prominent society lady who gave an enter
ment. Mr.. Eugene Oudin, the we'll known
American baritone, and were invited there
to entertain the prince. When the prince
came in l noticed his entire lack of formality,
and yet his gentlemanly, courteous bearing
and dignified manner made one feel that his
royal highness was an awfully nice fellow,
but caused one to refrain from being familiar
with him. 1t was strange to see how assum
ing all the rest of the men about him were
how full of stiffness and formality they
were. The prince alone was perfectly easy
in his manner The man whom you would
naturally think would be formal was just
the reverse. After the entertainment we
went down to dine
As | passed on the right of the prince there
was vacant seat beside him, and he kindly
said, "Mr. Wilder, be seated" So sat down
beside him. For once in my life | felt very
tall; know everybody will forgive me- J
shall never forget how kind he was, and what
nice things he said about America. He asked
me great many questions about the Ameri
cans, and seemed to be wonderfully well
posted on everything happening here.
During the evening | wanted glass of wa
ter-being a temperance man. called to a
waiter to hand me the caraffe. 1t was right
in front of the prince, who himself passed il
to me, remarking as he did so: Mr.. Wilder
that is water"
YES, your highness, but that is all |
take"
He could have turned around and said tc
me: See here; you don't often get chance
to drink with prince" but he was so gentle
manly in his way that he did not at all EN-
barrass me- wish some Americans could
learn manners from him.
OF course | closely observed, on every op
portunity, the manner of the prospective king
of England. When he appears at reception
every one arises; the prince bows, and greets
the host and hostess, sometimes shaking hands
with them. He is very particular about
dress. On all occasions a military man
when he comes into the presence OF the prince
must wear the proper uniform If he has
any medals-the man who wins medal il
England has small miniature model made
of it and placed oil a ribbon instead of wear
ing the large medal-these the prince insists
Upon his wearing. AS SOON as the prince
seats himself everybody else sits down. Nc
one leaves until the prince does. 1t is won
derful bow he observes everything, and
knows exactly how long to stay, and when tC
get up and lead the way to the dining room
As he walks past the company every ont
bows. As he goes down to the dining room
the other guests follow him. He stands until
= lo h,, ei,
and the Others follow his example. When he
begins eating they begin eating. He is very
as well as clever. For instance.
no one stops eating until he stops, 50 he will
keep on eating till he sees that everybody
has got pretty nearly enough. His exceeding
tact and courtesy astOnished me SO that once
| made bold to ask him how he could remem
Der Just what to do He said he associated
cegtaiu ideas
His kindness to me at all times | cannot
forget; he really seemed to ''have me ON hi.
mind" and to remember thTt was stranger
there, and whatever kindness he could show
me would 40 me good. Pie was right, bless
him!
One night went to Mr. Irving's theateE.
and che prince was in one of the boxes. Fhose
acquainted with Mr. Irving's theater know
that there is a room off one Of the boxes
where the prince generally goes to take re
freshments. AS passed by the prince hap
pened to see me and called out:
Aha, little chap, back again"
Yes, your highness," said |. AS wallieG
up the stair he noticed was lame, so b,
leaned down and helped me UP the steps
Then he shook my hands and turned to Nh
Ashton, of Mitchell's, and said: You must
always be kind to this little chap" It's nc
wonder the English people are very fond OF
him, bat III double discount any of them al
that business; I've good reason, too. Mar
shall p. Wilder's Book, People I've Smiled
With"