The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-10

How Common Card shark Impersonated
Yturbide.
lDetrnif Free Press. ]

Detroit Free Press.l
The recent military arrest of young Ytur-
bide, better, known as Prince Yturbide, in
Mexico, recalls curious episode in which he
figured some years ago in Fl Paso. Tex. Those
who have had the good fortune to encounter
his royal hlghness remember him a. ratllel
beefy stoid young man, with decided TASTE
for PLAIN English fabrics in dress and psu
habit Of speaking Of me bravses, know,
when he alluded 20 his trunk checks. HOW
ever. he is a good fellow In 1883 he came lp
over the Mexican Central and stopped tor tne
day at FL Paso putting up at the Grand oe"'
trial Hotel
Among the passengers on the train was GER
tleman bearing the name Of Hobbs. .Mr.
Hobbs was the proprietor Of faro YanA az
Chihuahua and the proprietor also OF I 'l.o,
rant purple-black mustache. nVe-calns
diamond pin, and n very gorgeous sun %
clothes lie too. was a good fellow. Ihey
both arrived At the Grand Central az ABOUT lne
same time and registered together Mr.. HOODS
inscrbing his plain. everyday name Oh ello
leaf and the other scrlbbling the royM aDote-
Walton. "Yturbide" The clerk whrled tne
riristcr around and then rapidly sized up both
guests TO Determine which was the Prince He
had no difficulty whatever in making up MS
mind. for the beautiful garments and flashing
Jewels Of Mr. Hobbs filed the popular luei
exactly of the attire Of royalty SEEING that
gentleman's valise. he led the way 70 the s'i-
cred apartment known in Western hostelfles
as the bridal chamber. and reverently Doweu
him i'm. When he returned he beckoned 10
the porter. -.
Show this man to 4-ll-44." he SAID, lndi-
eating one Of the dens in the garrett
The news soon spread that live prince was
in town and crowd of tuft hunters c0ngre-
gated at the hotel 70 get look AT him ConSe-
ouautlv when Mr.. Hobbs appeared he was the
.-,,f.s uflu -
known At first he attributed this 10 MS
beauty but gradually the truth dawned on
him. and when il did he played it, 10 use
his own expression. for all II was worth.
Presently one Of the holder OF the group
pressed him To Join in bottle of wine. lie
promptlv accepted. Another and another
followed. and such q popping OF cOrkS ana
fixing of Heidsieck were never before hcaru
i'm the house Meantime the autograph hcnd
put in an appearance in numbers. Dozens
of plush-bOund volumes were thrust INTO
his hands. and nothing loath, Mr.. Hobbs
called for pen and went 10 w2rN, III
had 10 idea how 10 spell 'ltrblde. and
simply made hideous indecipheTable scravI'
bearing down rs hard IL he could and per
manently disfguing each book. Some he
embclllshcd with such good old chcstnuis AS
when tins yOu see, remember me. Last,
but not least" and Yours for health IL
WAS that more than anything else that MADE
While all this was going ON ltlrbde was
prowlng up and down the office lonesome,
miserable. and astOnished at the universal
neglect When dinner was announced Mr..
Hobbs was escorted 10 the dlnlug-room. and
seated M n table by himself The cook had
risen 10 the occasion. and masterpieces with
fearful names followed each other IN innumer-
able COURSES 10 tell the truth, Mr.. Hobbs WAS
bv this time pretty well loaded, so 10 speak,
and began To put some vivid colOring IN his
royal role. He made strange, ornnte gestures,
he punched the waters IN the ribs. and shut
fed pile of butter dishes through his fingers
like "A pack of poker chips while 1turbidc sat
among lot of New York drummers gnawlng
q tough sirlOin and cursing "A country that had
no respect for princes.
As dessert was being served party of dis
tinguished Mexcans from Paso del Norte.
across the Rio Grande. put in an appearance.
They had heard Of the Princes presence, and
came 20 pay their respects. They were led
into the dining room and advanced 10 the
table. hats in hard.
rs this Prince lturbide.n asked the spokes-
man.
"You bet il Is" said Mr.. Hobbs loosely.
MY father vas the King 81 Clubs and my
mother was the Queen OF Diamonds"
"Scnurw exclaimed the Mexican, turning
10 the landlord. this is an lmpostOr."
At that moment forid young man pushed
his WAY through the crowd and remarked:
My name i Yturbide, gentlemen. What
can do for youE
The scene that followed was painful one,
and it is easier imagined than described. Suf-
nee it 90 say Mr.. Hobbs effects were removed
fromthe bridal chamber and deposited on the
sidewalk, aud the subject is a sore ore 10 this
day To the genial landlord Of the Grand Cen
tral /, may be well 10 add that the foregoing
Is not q fairy tale. bat a narration Of facts,
and that there were several humps that night
ON Mr. Hobbs Uranium that We're not IN his
nlrennlnclcai chart.