Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1898-03-03
KINDNESS VS.. ETIQUETTE.
How the Former T:IumpheJ over the
Latter at ST. Petersburg.


Latter at ST. Petersburg.
There is an excellent story of ,tri-
umph for simple American kindness
and commea sense over diplomatic eti-
quettc. and stiff count procedure. The
story concerns Il former minister of the
Cn:te! States in ST. Petersburg, at one
OF those elaborate and very formal re-
cept.ons or levecs which the empero.
AID empress give on New Years day.
and several times later during the win
ter. ALI the diplomats stand in line
in their order of precedence, and their
maJeStles walk down the line to en-
change greetings with each in turn.
On this OCCASION :hc empress, aow the
uowaP"r empress. was not present, hav-
ing Just given birth to one of the young
er pr.acesscs. u ;ce.cs that the good
wife OF the American minister was IL
this country, occupied with a similar do
nestle duty.
The emperor came down the line and
asked after the health of each of the
gentlemen present, at the same time
exchanging the usua! scasonab;e greet
ings. Then. as was also his custom
he asked of each what was the ncvyS
| diplomatic world: How is ny good
brother, thc emperor OT Germany" CT
what is TIE news from my GEAR -
ter, the queen cf Great britain and Ire.
! and" Il is surpassed TIA, al of thu
questions wee Answered win pleas
| ant Information about hi" fellow ruler.
| OF the gicE". s. ~ rn he caru to t..
Americas I.:iIistCr Er a. .sl = uSua
question. - hone Won b.. ,-.c;l rc.,-
| from home" OF course i...'.l ard orr
iull-hearted representa-. ,"uld not
! keep il secret. Eyes. tina "::r rua-
jcsty, excellent news; it is I..y, and
weighs ~ pounds"
1t is needless TO say how q .~".a:.
~ natural answer smotc The :. ,:.ii...: =
corps hip ard thigh. j is sY,t; iinf
! widespread litter was scarcely decor.
ously suppressed. Rut the oooA-rH
tured man and father, even if he was y
| car, pretended not TO notice it. and
sad that he MAS truly glad TO hear il !.
| and he hoped the minister wG;lld cn".
Ney his heartiest congratulations to
Mme-> Minister. lie then passed on to
the next man in The line extending his
greetings. 1t seems that the iIl-cou-
cealcd disorder cmorg his COZ
leagues made no impression upon
the good-hearted and happy Amer.
lean. He had forgotten something.
Coming ont Of his place, he followed
the emperor, and tapping him on the
shoulder, said: Il beg your 1naiestv'S
pardon. failed To inquire after tie
health of the empress ard tie little
princess. til" Emperor thankcd him
again wltl! cr":it kindness. and assured
him that both were doing rs well as
could be expected. And from all ac-
counts this last exchange of domestic
compliments provoked the line into
actual laughter.
This WIS the one good story of the
great winter capital for days and weeks
1t was whispered about Mt PARTIES and
titterd over teaCups. until il at last
reached the ears Of the rec ,vering en-
press, and with the kind;icss which has
always characterized her as well MS her
late husband. she resolved to teach the
small-minded court circle n lesson. So
at the next assemb.age she made occa-
sion to seek out the American minis
ter as an object of her especial favor,
and, later, at the banquet. in n particll.
larry audible voice, thanked him for
his kind inquiries after her health dur
ing her recent illness. Washington
Post.