The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-18
THE wALDoRF,s PARAGON.
A Character Sketch of the Maftre
D'HoteI Who HuIes society.

tire d'hote at the Waldorf Astoria--is
the most talked-to man in New York.
tie is the eonhdant of the smart ladies,
| the consulted in all emergencies, the
| friend and counselor of more people
especially of more women--than any other
man In the city. There Is not beau In
New York society-not even that squire
of DANES Harry Lehr--who knows the
world of society, art, finance ana politics
as does the many-sided Oscar Of the Wal
dorf-Astoria.
NOT TO nave Oscar recognize you As you
step bltthely into the palm room of the
Waldorf-Astoria is TO concede that you
are nobody and unworthy to be re-
ceived in the true elect that proudly ac-
knowledges Oscar as guide, philosopher
and friend
oscar Is an epicurean Napoleon. He 10
q social dictator He is fashions referee.
He is conhdant to the smart set He .
COMPRESSOR to society queens. lie is LUcul
lus reincarnated. lie is feared by the par
venu. he Is fawned upon by the fringe
OK society he is friendly with it's
cream" He is the secret oracle of the
exclusives. He is Mark Hanna to Mr..
boldt Mckinley. But he is first, last
and every time-Oscar.
HE yourself to the palm room Of the
Waldorf Astoria. We must not arrive be-
fore l O'Clock, for Oscar is not released
from his Wallets hands till that hour.
A valet" ! hear you exclaim.
Certainly! Oscar lives like a gentleman.
lie has the habits and tasts OF one. Tie
receives the salary OF a bank president.
suit OF rooms is set apart for him IA
the Waldorf-Astoria. lie Is always inn
maculately groomed His clothing is of
the finest texture, in every detail care
irly made and perfect-fttting. For Oscar
passes more of his time with che fastidi-
Gus women of the elite than any other
nan in New York
Here we are at the Astoria-at the
threshold OF the palm room. Mark the
deference shown US an soon as / voice
the magic words us Oscar in?" Certain
ement! Will ces danes be seatedq' and
oscar himself, having at once recognized
me, gldes with noiseleSs tread gracefully
toward U.S.
Yes, this is Oscal--thls man Of grace
and perfect poise, who wears his honors
with modest seriousness one can well
understand and pay Difference to when
one recolleets that 16 years ago this ex-
traordinary man, who now controls 500
subordinatcs, came to this country a
Swiss peasant named Oscar Tschirky
with the world before him and only
himself little realized
Oscar is to-day a man possibly of 40.
well put up, of the Swiss type of face.
vigorous, clean shaver, grave, In superb
health, thoroughly self-possessed, with a
soft, flexible voice which lends itself with
equal felicity TO half dozen languages
which he speaks fiVently; a certain re-
serve which never unbends further than
gracious smile.
II is my proud privilege to know Oscar
even to be on terms quasi-famliar
with that paragon Of courteous sagacity.
Hence the gracious smile, and Immediate
ly an exposition of one Of Oscars in
Vulnerable accomplishments. 1--WE have
particularly fine terrapin today. Shall
! order little for madam and her friend,
with very good little Sauterne, and
then we shall see after. or--shal | just
order the whole luncheon and not trouble
madam? Sol"
You may not see Oscar for a twelve
month, yet he recollects your particular
weakness. He Immediately suggests the
very dish like ana we are saved the
stupid task of settling what two women
want to eat That Is one OF Oscars
minor accomplishments Recollecting
the individual taste, the social and fnan-
cial status OF every man and woman
whom he had served. IL the gift that
brought Oscar into prominence when he
was modest waiter at the Hoffman
House.
We succumb to the terrapin and / am
just saying, "Oh, Oscar, tell US about
Mrs. Mackay's dinner" when ! see the
niaitre d'hotels eyes fixed upon Mrs
George Gould, who is entering the south
door with parry of friends. "Bicntot
r. adam" And presto! there Is Oscar
bowling profoundly before Mrs Could
who certainly is looking very handsome
and mt and smilingly greets Oscar as
one who should say: Everything will
be all right; Oscar has 1t In hand" Oscar
himself conducts Mrs Gould to a table
prepared In advance. Mrs Gould smiles
again, as well she may, for no dainticr
feast could have been arranged for the
delectation of locely woman.
Charming, oscarl' says Mrs. Gould.
II think have prepared menu you
will enjoy" replies the director whose
watchful eye has espled Governor OdeiI
at the entrance, with three other gentle.
men, each celebrity In the political
world. And there in an instant is Oscar
again smiling again reassuring: Gov
Odell will enjoy the ducks" Oscar sen.
especially for them as soon as he re-
celved the Governors telephone message
that he would be up to luncheon, only
three hourse ago.
And then In quick succession we hear:
Good morning. Miss Russell (the ire
sistible Lillian). Everything, | trust, as
you wish This way, please" Good
morning, madam Ito Mrs Hermann DEL
richs). Yes. the little table in the north
corner Is reserved for you. Here are MRS.
Belmont now, madam, and Mrs. Fish"
as these ladies, with a smile to Oscar,
join Mrs. Oerichs.
Oscar chats with the fashionable tri1
on the success of Mrs Clancnce Mackey's
dinner. when niddle-aged man with a
familiar face locks our way, bows 10
Oscar and beckors him. The gentleman
10 Frederick Gerhard, OF many interest
ing memories We do not hear Mr.. Geb-
hars1's words. btrt we catch Oscars
resonant voice as he says; Everything
will be all right. Mr.. Gerhard. Give
yourself no uneasiness."
Oscar knows every fnancier, politician.
professional man, merchant. artist and
man of importance, not OF New York
alone. but Of every city In the United
states--so far as they visit New York
II you are woman OF social or artistic
or even business prominence Oscar knows
you If he does not know you and you
have ambitions. you might as well depart
from this end OF the planet for other
lands For the woman whom Oscar has
concluded not TO know Is socially de-
feated and her eclipse Is final Oscar
knows more beautiful and rich women
and is on more confidential terms with
a larger number Of fashionables than any
other individual alive.
II Oscar would taik--if only he WOULD