The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-02-14
PAT AND THE EMPEROR.
"eooec'ions OF Dom Pedro's Visit to 81
LOuis in 1919

hecoiiections of Dom Pedro's Visit tn q.
Louis in 1875.
Inc publlshed accounts of the reyolu-
+ ton In Brazil. resulting in the over
throw OF the imperial government. the
! eeposing of the Emperor. Dom Pedro TT
and the establishing of a republic. are
VI particular interest in this country.
owing to the fact that the central figure
OF the momentous movement. the de-
tlroned monarch, was a visitor to the
United States in 1876, and has ALWAYS
i oeen close student and warm admirer
OF Inc American form of government.
ana also OF the States in general. Dur
Ing his tour through this country Dom
Pedro visited st. Louis, and the discus-
sion OF his overthrow brought up manv
"reminiscences of that visit. The EN-
perors democratic leanings were strong
~ shown by his studied avoidance of all
formal ceremony during his travels.
winch were conducted strictly incog.
and with as small an attendant suite as
was possible. His lodging of the for
mldable committee appointed to well
come him TO this city was recalled with
laugh by many, and followed by the
story OF how Mr.. George Balm was Or
gained by chance into an impromptu
imperial reception committee of one TO
show the august visitor the SIGHTS of
St Louis. The story, as told by Mr..
BAN himself to reporter of the Repub-
lie. is an interesting one.
''Of course" said Mr.. Balm. sit was
known just when Dom Pedro would ar
rive, and formidable and representa-
tive committee had been appointed to
receive him. Unfortunately, however.
the committee went to the Southern
Hotel for that purpose, while the EN-
peror went to the Lindell, was register
ed, and Immediately afterward the en-
tire party took carriages and began the
round OF the city on their own hook. I
CHANGED to be on Third street Just when
the first carriage, containing his Brazilian
Majesty, whirled around from Oliver
street. The driver, Pat Shevlin. knew
me, and, being evidently disposed to aid
Dom Pedro as much as possible in see
Ing the sights of st. Louis, hailed me,
with wild brandish of his whip, shout
ing enthusiastically as he ratified around
the corner: 'Hould up, Misther Balm!
Wan minute, there, Misther Bain I've
the Emperor of Brazil in me carriage!
Come over and I'll inthrajuce We to M
l crossed the street as Pat made a gal
liant stop, and sure enough he swung
open the carriage door and said. in his
best manner: Emperor, this is Mr.. Balm.
He'll tell ye any thing We want 10 know
saw in moment that Pat really did
have the Brazilian monarch aboard,
and, in spite of the unique introd ucton,
the Emperor acknowledged it very
pleasantly, saying in French: General
Sherman told me in Washington, Mr.
Balm, that / must be sure and see your
ST. Louis post-office, and I have accord
lngly driven down here for that pur-
pose. / explained to him that he should
have been driven to the new post-office.
not the old one, and then invited him to
visit the Merchants Exchange, just on
! the next corner. He accepted the in
vitation, and the entire party, filling
three carriages, alighted and accompan-
| led him. l escorted them on the floor,
explained the different features of the
trading. and with the exception of Sec
rotary George Morgan, don't think a
! soul on change knew that the fine-look-
ing old gentleman by my side and the
lady who held my arm as we went in
were the Emperor and Empress of Bra
I'll. They were both very plain and
pleasant in manner and seemed delight
ed with the informality of their recep-
ton. | afterward accompanied them to
the Lindell Hotel. directed them as to
the best points of interest to visit, and
then made my adieus. The Emperor
was kind enough to give me most cor
dial invitation to visit him if I ever
came to Brazil. The party left st. Louis
that night.-St. Louis Republic.