New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-13
"Ap CLAGETTs VINE BILLS.
THE PRINCE IN TROUBLE WITH A CHAM
PAGNE FIRM.
THEY GAVE HIM $50 WEEK TO SPEND FOR
THEIR NEW BRAND.

A
THEIR NEW BRAND.
Alfred T. clagett-" Prince Al" Who doesn't
KNOW the high cheek bones, the close-croppcd gray
ha'r, the ruby complexion, the soft, brown cye the
spilt thumb-nal, the high instep7 Says he: ..
would rawther punish my pocketbook than punish
my tastes
ihat expression describes the man who for ten
years has drunk no liquor but champagne, as every
other man ahout-town knows.
come, AL have drinks
Thanks, no, old chsppie You drink with me.
Ii should drink with you, you would drink whskey
ana water, l champagne. That would be unfair
II you drink with me, both Of us drink champagne !,
90 champagne II is every time. Mr.. Clagett spends
- day for his favorltc brands. In the last ten
years his wine bills have amounted to $4,000.
The preservation of my taste has kept me poor.
ne says, but would rawther be poor than punish
myseH With brandy or whislSey."
AS for beer, he would not suffer the name to stain
his lips, much less the foam.
Mr. Clagett Is tea broker and is generally to be
found within haing distance of Faragut's statue in
Madison Square, either In the Hoffman bar at the
brunswick In Demonicos cafe, at the Albemare or at
the sturtcvant And he IS the familiar OF a dozen or
more young without pedigree of note who possess
mysterious sources OF income Some smoke special
brands OF cigars for living some wear certain
tailors clothes for existence, sport new styles
OF hats for their drinks some dye their musaches with
certain elixir and are paid to talk about It, some
advertise one thing, some another
Mr.. Clagctt leaned heavily on q marble table IN
Dcmonico's cafe last night when he was informed
that there was good story out him. He looked
sorowfully on Berry Wall, who sat another table
thinking OF the days when he, too, was an agent for
cigars and champagne
At Long Branch last sumner Prince ALI tasted
new brand Of champagne and liked It. The agents.
firm In f-ontst, heard much and forthwith
opened negotiations With the popular lounger and Jolly
good fellow. He was the man, in fact to introduce
their wine. Returning to town he called on them
tasted quart Of their best and eulogized IT,
How much DO you drink day?7 they asked.
Seven dollars WORTH he said.
III you VIII orer orr brand az the hotels You visit
uptown and 40 all your treating with It, we will pay
your wine bill"
Was there young man in Delmonlcos cafe al % 80
last night who could have refused such proposition?
Mr. Claeett drank all the brand he could get and
treated everybody to IT, He persuaded the propretors
Of the Hoffman House the Aibemsrle the Victoria and
the sturtevant TO order OF H. The Brunswick
Deimonico's had II already Regularly every Monday
the firm sent Mr.. Clagett check for $50 All told no
got about $3.50.
Then they charged him with spending their money
for other brands. He replied that he would not de.
priye himself OF drink simply because he could not
lind their wine. II he called for It and 1t was not
They demanded tho return OF 500. He said he
did not owe H.. They threatened suit sue and be
hanged, he said. day two afterward he was
summoned 10 be- IN court on January o.
1 have not been going to balls much OF late,'
he says. but had set my heart on going 10 the
Charity Ball on the sth. SO begged their lawyer
TO postpone tho case, l knew ! should DO out
rather late at the ball. But he refused. missed the
ball OF course, and imagine my Indignation when in
court next day he insisted upon an adjournment!
had 10 submit
The case comes' up next Wednesday before Civil
Justice Murray Mr. clagct Is that he has spent
at least 500 for tho firms wines. IL is the first
time in HIS life that he ever received dollar from
wine house. lie believes that he has been shabbily
frQa ted