Evening journal., 1896-11-28
MRS. CLEVELAND ANGRY
Refused Credit by a Washington
Dry Goods House.
WOULDN'T BRBAKARULB FOR HER
The Firm Did business Strictly For Cash.
and the Presidents Wife Could Not Get
trusted Drove Away Indignant with
out Making tho Purchase.

out Making the Purchase.
WARRINGTON, Nov. %. Il President
Cleveland was refused credit in a Wash
ington dry goods store, and Mrs Cleve-
land, who sit in the carriage while hor
maid was inside conducting the painful
Negotiations, drove away IN q state OF in
dlgnaton, having become unwittingly tho
victim Of no credit establishment,
which declined TO violate its rule, even for
the benefit of the president Of the United
States
Mrs Cleveland started ont with the car
ria9e on one Of her shopping tours, for the
purpose Of securing some needed clothing
Tor the children. Knowing exactly what
she wanted TO purchase she remained in
the carriage while her maid went into the
dry goods store of = Kahn Sons & Co
Mrs. Cleveland's appearance on Penn
sylyania avenue, even while driving rapid
~, is sufficient to attract attention. but
when she sat in the carriage and sent her
maid inside the store a number OF curious
women hurried in TO make mental note of
the kind Of clothing bought for the White
House children. Their curiosity was not
satisfied but they were witnesses of an
incident probably Unprecedented in Wash
ington life
The maid walked to the proper counter,
selected a number Of dress Platforms after a
careful examination and then handed to
the clerk an order written on the familiar
domestic note paper Of the White House,
bearing the engrossed inscription, 'Execu-
tive Mansion. In matter Of fact way
the maid said smllingly:
Mrs Cleveland said to charge the
things TO the president -
The clerk was taken abacS, and there
was singular pause tefore the transac-
tion was carried further Recovering him
self, however, the clerl, bockoned to one of
the members of the firm, and they held a
whispered conference MS to whether they
could afford to violate the rules of the cs-
tablishment and open a little account with
the president Of the United States.
An Awkward Moment.
1t was an awkward moment for all con
cerncd, but finally the clerk, turning to
the maid, said in an apologctic manner
''l am very sorry, but, you sec, we keep
no book accounts. We would, of course, be
very glad to comply with Mrs Cleveland's
request, but Here he was suddenly
interrupted
do you mean to refuse credit to the
presldent'
Not exactly, but, you sec, we have in
this house strict rule against giving
trust''-
Perhaps you doubt my coming from
the White House, but Mrs. Cleveland her
self is at the door, - said The maid.
Not at all. We are sorry to cause Mrs.
Cleveland any annoyance whatever, but as
cur firm believes in treating all alike and
as we have made a rule that we will do
business for cash only, there is nothing
else for as to do. -
The maid stared at the clerk for few
moments, then replaced the goods on the
counter and went out
She entered the carriage waiting out
side, reporting the circumstances very
briefly TO Mrs Cleveland, who was appar-
entity very indignant and evidently did not
understand the situation. The coaehman
was given nod, and the carriage was
driven bnck to the White House.
In an interview with a correspondent
the manager Of the store said:
We regret the occurrence exceedingly,
but we do not see how it was possible to
avoid it unless the goods had been pre-
sented to Mrs. Cleveland without price
which would have been an insult to her.
1T is very we'll known here In business
circles that the distinguished classes are
the hardest to collect from. 1t was not at all
from foar OF loss that we declined TO extend
the credit for the amount Of the bill was
but triling matter In addition to thnt
it is well known here in Washington that
President Cleveland is exceedingly scrupu.
lous in regard to his business engage
ments, and his check is always promptly
received for every running account.
II only hope the president and Mrs
Cleveland viii understand the situation
and not think they were unnecessarily
subjected to annoyance or insult +"