The record-union., 1896-10-11


The law of caste which one sees en-
forced in all it's severity while travelling g
In India seems not to be confined en-
tirely to that unhappy land, if one Is
to judge from indications, sometimes
embracing incidents of a hugely ludi-
crouS character, which one hears of
from time to time and which point
strongly in this direction. 1t was dur
ing the exhibition of bicycle racing at
the Exposition building that two or
three facts came to light that displayed
this trait of weak human nature in all
Its vagaries to those who had their eyes
about them.
In the first place, a very select num-
Der, members of single family, who
consider themselves on a plane far, far
removed from the common herd" had
an elevated throne-plat torn reserved
seat-theater- box sort of an arrangement
built which they occupied "an by their
lonely" and which became q never
ending source of fun, satire and jest to
that faction who attending the races
regularly became familiar with the fig
ures who daily occupied the throne -
Perhaps they were students of an
cient history, and simply had desire
to know the sensations experienced by
Caesar when viewing the games in the
Circus MaximuS he was elevated above
the gaping crowd and surrounded by
his courtiers, Senators, ETC., who came
between him and contamination with
the common people.
There was a certain elderly couple
also attending these races who We're
very funny in the manner in which
they strained after the cream de La
cream. / would not be surprised if
straining at a gnat'' they yet ''swal-
lowed a camel in their efforts to keep
within the limits of High Societydom.
They were so terribly afraid, poor
things, of making some misstepi-of
smiling upon some one who was not
worthy to receive the august favor of
the e1ecti-so fearful of exchanging a
compliment or a few meager words of
conversation with some one who the
saints forbidl-was not a society equal
mot recognized by "our set" these
poor old dears really made themselves
very uncomfortable. The following is
fair sample Of the kind of thing con-
tinual1y going on between them: They
we're lDL SlLLlIS JOStlHtIs DuL were ell
gagged in conversation separately with
friends who had come in, and in the
course of the evening a young lady en-
tered late and was given a place next
the old gentleman under discussion, and
was Immediately introduced by a mu-
tual acquaintance. Mein Herr forgot
himself for a brief space in the interest
of conversation that followed the
young lady was pretty. which fact was
a whole host in itself, for
Where is the man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
Give me beauty or-nothing?
Nay, don't contradict It's mans
weakness. We all know that he is
susceptible to bright eyes and a pink
and white complexion. He can't help
it--of course notl and this old gent was
not unlike his fellows in this respect.
But suddenly, aha. he bethinl1s himself
and remembrance breaks over his mind
like the rays of a lantern striking a
boggy pool, and rising hurriedIy he
makes his way to his frau, who Is en-
gagged in conversation a short way off.
'Meine Iiebe, meme liebe, is Miss -
in our grade Of society? Tell me,
Gretchen, is she belonging to our set
Heinz" Frau Gretchen inspects Miss
- cooIly and critically through heI
eyeglasses, then remarks stolidly:
''Nein, mein CUTE Hans, she does not
pelong to our set. Do not forget your
self and speak too familiar, Hans; she
is not one Of US; ii viii not do.
Hans. obedient to his bringing up and
having the deepest and most childlike
confidence in the white-haired frau
gave Miss - a decidedly cool shake,
which she, on her part, was not SLOW
in understanding. nor indeed anyone
else within hearing distance. Hans is
assuredIy beyond his bread-and- butter
DAYS some lengths, and unless he were
an old goose need not be unduly infiu-
enced by a pretty girl though not IN his
''set."
! saw them both, Hans and Gretchen,
at the Metropolitan the night sans
Gene was played, smiling from seats
near the front Of the dress circle 70
some one on the other side. The smil-
inc and bowing and showing Of teeth
was so long drawn out and continuous
/ had no doubt in my mind that the IA
yored ones were not only in our set,
hut even a grade higher UP in society
ranks than our estimable Hans and MS
good wife Gretchen
But. alas, for frail mortality, when we
reach the other world where the othef
side of the garment we are WeaYine
comes to light; where the last snail
be first" and we are classed py the
deeds we have done on eartn, not py
orr pocketbeeks, nor the very select SCI
we have mingled with, o Hans anu
Gretchen, how viii you poor dears DC
ab,e to accommodate yourselves 10 the
change in your circumstances ana sur
r4--,-air-s2