Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-25
A WOMAN'S PERSISTENCE.
Row Am American Girl Witnessed . Royal
Funeral In Germany.

Miss West, the parlor lecturer tells how
che managed TO witness the church cere-
monies at the funeral Of Kaiser William.
She had reached Berlin in company with
an older woman friend while the emperor
was lying In state previous To the funeral,
and she at once determined TO be present,
II possible, with her friend at the great
ceremonies I'm the church. Admission of
rourse was only by ticket and so she set
off post haste 10 the American minister's
To sec what could be done. All the tickets
were gone. Minister Phelps was not I'm,
but his private secretary or some attache
was there, and like the true American
cavalier that he was, wanted to do some
thing To help his handsome-for she Is
handsome-compatrio For time they
racked their brains I'm silence
Well, said Miss West finally, lean
you give me one of Mr. Phelps visiting
cardsi"
The young man flew to execute her re-
quest. Miss West turned IL over and stud
led it,
Gould you aflix the seal of the legation
to 1T" she asked
The young man FASTENED to put on
seal worthy of an Indian prince, and Miss
West thanked him and departed.
Now, there were three entrances to the
church where the ceremonies were to take
place. One was reserved for the royal fam
lily, and even American enterprise did not
care to attempt to enter there. The front
doors were for the general public who held
tickets. To go in there meant 10 be crushed
in mass of struggling humanity and TO
be unable either To see or hear. The third
entrance was reserved for foreign royalty
and diplomats and was approached by
bridge.
I'VE will go In with the visiting roy.
atty" said Miss West TO her companion
On the morning set for the obsequies
Miss West and her friend had an impress
lively luxurious carriage come for them
and directed the driver TO go To the church
by way of the bridge. He sent the horses
along at IA rafting gait, and all went well
until they had approached within block
of the bridge when "a gorgeous soldier
commanded them to halt, while second
one opened the carriage door and asked TO
see their tickets. Miss West drew out Mr..
Phelps visiting card, with the seal of the
legation. The soldier was puzzled. He con-
suited his brother officer He tried Co con-
suit Miss West, but she protested an abso-
Lutte Ignorance Of German and the soldiers
had a real ignorance of English. She
talked, gestlculated ana pointed TO the Wis
itng card with such an air of respect that
the officers finally told them to drive on.
Miss West sank back with a sigh of re-
lief, but had scarcely got her breath when
1T the bridge "A second officer halted them,
and they Were again asked for their tick
cts The proceeding was the same. The
result was the same. Again they drove
on, but at the church door a third and still
more gorgeous officer stopped them, and
on being confronted with Mr.. Phelps card
asked In excellent English what that had
TO do with 1t. Then Miss West played her
last card-not Mr.. Phelps.
we are two American women, she
said TO the officer, and we are in your
power You can turn us back after we
have got this far, or you can let us go in.
We have made this effort TO witness
spectacle which we will never forget, and
now il depends on you whether we shall
succeed or fail. We throw ourselves on
your mercy"
The officer hesitated moment, then
Enlightened himself up.
Pass on" he said
And that is how Miss West went to
Kaiser Wilhelm's funeral