Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-06-08
A woMAN's PERSISTENCE.
Row IN Americas Girl witsessss . Royal
Yunerul In dcrmaay.

Bu0eroi In 0crmany.
Miss West tho parlor lecturer, tells how
she managed to witness tho church ccre-
monies at the funeral OF Kaiser William.
| She had reached Berlin la company with
an older woman friend whilo the emperor
was lying In state previous to the funeral,
and she at once determined 10 be present,
IL possible, with her friend ut the great
ceremonies In the church Admission OF
course was only by bickct, and so she set
OF post haste to the American minister q
to see what coaild be done. All the tickets
were gone. Minister Phelps was not In,
but his private secretary or some attache
was there, and, like tho true American
cavalier that he was, wanted TO do some
thing to help his hapdsome-for she Is
andsome-compatriot. For timo they
racked their brains In silence.
Well" said Miss West finally, "can
you give me one of Mr.. Phelps visiting
cards''
The young man flew to execute her re-
quest. Miss West turned IL over and stcd-
led 1t.
Gould you affix the seal Of the legation
to 1T" she asked.
The young man fastened to put ON q
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 to DO 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 q
bridge
ave 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 a rafting gait, and all went we'll
until they had approached within block
Of the bridge, when gorgeous soldier
commanded them TO halt, while a 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 TO con-
suit Miss West, but she protested an abso
Lutte ignorance OF German, and the soldiers
had a real ignorance Of English She
talked, gesticulatcd and pointed to the Wis
iting card with such an air Of respect that
the officers finally told them to drive on.
Miss West sank back with sigh Of re-
lief, but had scarcely got her breath when
at the bridge 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 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.
I'VE aro 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 a
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 q moment, then
Strengthened himself up.
Pass on" he said.
And that is how Miss West went to
Kaiser Wilhclm's funeral.