The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-23

find yourself lonely or bit homesck Just
stroll around TO the Waldorf about dinner
time and peep in at the folks who are sit
ting at the tables in the palmroom or
dining-hall. You will never fail to recog-
nise half-dozen or more familiar faces
from dear old California.
The other evening there was quite a
mum Der of well-known San Franciscans in
the dining-room. Among them most con-
spicuous was George F. Croker, who has
recently returned from trip West. He
was accompanied by James B. Brady, the
| wealthy iron contractor. famous for his
wonderful collection OF diamonds. There
are diamonds set in his canes and UNI
brellas, not only in the handles but deep
in the ferrules and along the outside sur
faces. His cardcase, cigar-case, match
box, watch and chain, keyring and note
book are set with immense diamonds OF
the purest water.
They say he carries lot of unset dia-
monds about with him. just to shake in
the palm of his hand like so many dice
There is a good story told about Mr..
Brady and an indignant hotel clerk in st.
Louis which caused much merriment al
the time.
Mr.. Brady's shirt is always adorned
with diamond cufflinks collar buttons
and studs, besides the sparkling bejeweled
buckles and gold chains which adorn his
white silk braces. As is his wont Mr.
Brady carelessly removed his shirt on pre-
pairing to retire for the night, and, throw
ing on a big ulster, went down TO the
office and flung the laundered cam brio
down on the desk, saying: "Please put
that in the safe and give ma receipt"
The clerk looked at him In open-eyed
astonishment, exclaiming: Excuse me.
sir, but we do not keep a safe as the re-
ceptacle for soiled linen"
You won't keep it for me until morn
ing, eh?" asked Brady.
mo. sir!" returned the clerk with in
dignant voice.
We'll. don't you think you'd better?
said Brady, with a sly wink and broad
smile. as he turned the shirt over and ex-
posed to view the immense diamonds
cleaning around the collar and down the
front. 1t took the clerk three long min
utes to recover from his surprise and ad.
miration of the dazzling gems.
II SOcS WituOut saying Iudt tu0 Clerk
found place in the safe for the precious
shirt. and that Brady smiled good natur-
eddy when he was given the requested re-
ceipr.
Mr.. Croker expects his family home
from Europe within a couple of weeks.
They will continue residence at the Wall
dori.
Just across from the table where Mr..
Croker and Mr.. Brady were dining, on
the evening in question, sat one of San
Francisco's prominent citizens, John I.
Sabin, and DR.. Robert Eugene Payne,
who within the past five months has
taken up his resid ence in New York, and
is meeting with marked success.
Or. Payne is the brother of DR.. Red.
| mond Maxwell Payne Of San Francisco,
whose engagement with Miss Sabin
has been formally announced. Mr.. Sabin
came East several weeks ago, but has been
in New York for few days only, be-
cause business demands his presence in
Boston. He anticipates returning home
this week.
Mrs. Hastings looking very
handsome and always becomingly
gowned, is seen on the avenue wien the
days are fine. Mrs. Jerome will run over
to Paris within few weeks.
Hon. Russell ]. Wilson and family are
still at the Holland House.
Mrs. Frank Leslie, that delightful
hostess and feminine general, gave her
last reception for the season last Thurs
day evening. There was crush, and the
programme was most entertaining. Mrs.
Leslie leaves for England on the City OF
Paris, Wednesday, and as is her custom
will not return to America until fall.
Mrs. F. L'hote and Miss Dorothy L'hote