Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1898-03-11
EklN0LlNEss VS. ETlQUETTE.
How the FornaeE ,TFiumphed over the
Latter AT St. PetenburE.

There is an excellent story of artri-,
umph for simple American kludlincss
and common sense over diplomatic, eti-,
quette, and stiff court procedure. The
story concerns a former minister Of the
tn't~d States in st. Petersburg, at one
Of those elaborate and very formal re-
cert.ons or levees which the emperor
aid empress give on New Years day.
mud several times later during the win.
ter. All the diplomats stand in line
in their order of precedence, and their
majesties walk down the. line to en-
change greetings with each in turn.
On this occasion the empress, now the
dowarer empress, was not present, hav-
ing Just given birth to one of the young
er .prIncesses. 4 gems that the good
wife of the American minister was in
this country, occupied with n similar do
nestle duty. .
The emperor came down the line and
asked after the health of each of the
gentlemen present, at the same tim"
exchanging the usual seasonab:e greet
ings. Then, as was also his custom
he asked of each what was the news
from home. This always meant in the
diplomatic world: "How is my good
brother, the emperor Of Germany" or
What is the news from my dear sis
ter, the queen of Great Britain and Ire
:and?" 1t is supposed that al of the
questions were answered with pleas
ant information about his fellow rulers
Of the globe. So when he came TO the
American minister he did ask the usuai
question:: 81 hope you have good rews
from home" of course he did. and our
keep it n secret. eyes, thank your ma
jesty, excellent news; it is boy, and
weighs 12 pounds"
II is needless to say how the perfect
~ natural answer smote the assembl. d
corps hip and thigh. 1t is said that al
widespread litter was Scarcely decor
Onsly suppressed. But the good-na
tured man and father. even if he was IL
car, pretended not to notice il. and
sad that he wds truly glad to hear ii Z.
ard he hoped the minister would con
'ey his heartiest congratulations tn
Nine. Minister. lie then passed on to
the next man in the line extending his
greetings. 1t seems that the ill-cou-
SShleu ulsoTueT CmOHS MS COT
Itagues made no impression upon
the good-hearted and happy Amer
lean. He had forgotten something
Coming out. Of his place, he followed
the emperor, and tapping him on the
shoulder, said: Il beg your 1najesty's
pardon. I failed to inquire after the
health Of the empress and the little
princess" The emperor thanked him
again with great kindness. and assured
him that both were doing as well as
could be expected. And from all ac-
counts, this last exchange of domestic
compliments provoked the line into
nctual laughter.
This was the one good story Of the
great winter capital for days and weeks.
1t was whispered about at parties and
titterd over teaCups, until 1t at last
reached the ears of the recovering en-
press, and with the kindness which has
always characterized her as well as her
late husband, she resolved to teach the
small-minded court circle lesson. So
at the next .assemblage she made occa-
sion to seek out the American minis
ter as an object of her especial favor,
and, later, at the banquet. in particu-
larly audible voice, thanked him for
his kind inquiries after her health dur
ing her recent Observation-Disclosures