The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-08-01
e
he SAT IN MRS.
SCHLEY'S lap.
An Incident Of Hero Worship
That Is without Equal.
WESTERN TOWN TOOK ON ALAG
Admiral Was There and Leading
Citizens Da||lsd With Ardent"
WIVES IN STATE OF COLLAPSE, ALSO.
Ant VERY Dainty Blonde Played Football
With Dmn Pillows, 10 The Intense
Delight Of the Spectators
WIVES IN STATE OF COLLAPSE, ALSO.

ibid you ever hear how Admiral Schley
got whole town jagged during his West
ern trip of year ago?" asked an Oma-
ha newspaper man. as he settled himself
comfortably In cafe.
NO? Well. perhaps. IT was one of the
incidents OF his tour never made public.
Incidentally, he came near breaking up
several happy homes. and / doubt IL he
knows TO this day how much entertain
ment the episode afforded those OF US
who were merely looking on.
You remember that Admiral and Mrs.
Schley went West on the invitation OF
Gen. c. +. Henderson of Omaha. and
from the moment the plan was an
nounced every city. town and hamlet
within a reasonable distance OF Nebras-
kas metropolis was shouting for a
chance 10 fall down and worship this
naval hero of the hour.
"If they could not have Dewey these
Westerners were determined TO vent
their patriotism on Schley.
Bluff City-before j am through with
the tale. you will sec the wisdom of sup
pressing the towns real name-is consid-
erably less than days journey from
Omaha, ana II was numbered among the
few fortunate cities whose hospitalities
were accepted by Gen. Manderson for
his guest.
THE TOWN is CONSERVATIVE.
''It is n pretty, old fashioned. conser-
vative place. Its streets are bordered
with trees. and its substantial business
men are content TO make 4 or per cent.
on their money while the introduction of
municipal innovations. especially II
backed by foreign corporations, is re-
garded by these simple folk as an insti-
tuition OF the devil or the trust octopus.
But at the magical name of Schley
the old town seemed to turn itself loose.
From the hour the invitation was ac-
tepted the whole place was In turmoil
Of preparation
There were to be decorations, bands
galore. songs by the school children
and a public reception.
80 far the plans were entirely salts
factory to the general public. but when
II was announced that Admiral Schley
would be rendered a private banquet by
q group OF prominent citizens the de-
mocracy OF the town fairly boiled over
in impotent wrath
But while the masses rallied, some un-
seen power was calmly ordaining plans
for that banquet. The town can boast
hotel out OF all proportions to its own
size and Importance. and in the dining
room with its mosaics and carved woods,
was the festive board to be spread
Expense was not considered, the hotel
chef was gwen unlimited privileges I'm
both menu and wine list, and on the latter
In particular did this individu9l spread
himself
1T is said that when Admiral schley
IL. a .l.s..I
murmured under his breath:
''Oh. these Westerners-they are a
great people
The floral centre piece was a repro
duction OF the Brooklyn, and IL ticked
the commander so Tremendously that he
carted IL around during the remainder of
his Western tour
THEY ALL WANTED TO SHINE
''The number OF covers, including those
for Schlcy and Manderson. was limited
70 sixteen. and the mad rush TO be num-
bered among the prominent citizens was
something worth chronicling.
Everybody on the municipal payroll
from the mayor to the deputy dog cat
cher. &C iidered himself especially fitted
10 represent the city, but tie mayor and
the best dressed councilman were finally
selected ON behalf OF ehe municipality OF
Bllff City.
The remaining twelve invitations were
secured by those having the most nerve
and the strongest pull
"a dashing social leader promptly fol-
lowed the trend of the prominent citl-
zens. and issued invitations for a buf-
fet breakfast in honor OF Mrs Schley, to
be given In the hotel parlors, while the
banquet was In progress.
''Well, the great day came at last, and
put an end To all social s,'ife and heart
burnings, III feeling was lost in wave
OF patriotism.
Tin soldiers paraded. banners waved
horns footed. the postmaster. as the only
Federal representative I'm town. proudly
introduced the guest OF honor 20 the per.
spring public and the prominent citi-
zens' In light trousers, frock coats and
eiddy boutonncres stood in line behind
Admiral Schlcy. while the common herd
shook hands.
"Then they carried their victim of 20 the
banquet room on the top floor. TO which
rose the cheers of an excited multitude
And right there the trouble commenced.
particularly for the mayor.
''Yon see. that mayor was an accident.
= dark horse sprung In despair at the
last municipal election. His entire bust
ness career had been spent I'm n stuffy
grocery store uptown. where his custom
ers sat round on boxes and .arrcls 20
discuss politics and their neighborS.
when Admiral Schley released his
trembling arm at the head OF that ban
o'iet table, and the mayor caught his first
glimpse Of the knives. forks spoons and
glasses grouped round his plate. he felt
q sinking sensation. similar 10 that
which assailed him as the returns camo
IN election night
FORTUNATELY. subsequent events and
Mons< Hale cfoso