The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-03-02

welcome Prince Henry's visit TO st. Leui
with mingled cordially and terror. Mis-
Ethel Houston DuFre. of the Castle Squar'
Opera Company quakes inwardly whenevel
the name of his Royal Highness is men
toned In her presence. although she cher
tshes as q carefully guarded souvenir a sill
yer pepper mill OF unique design, bearing
the royal crest, which was presented to he
some two years ago by Prince Henry him
self.
1t happened this way: Miss DuFfe. whc
was diligently pursuing her musical studio:
In Paris. Joined a party of friends for q
vacation tour through the Black Fores,
country h Germany. A number of royal.
ties. great and small, were stopping at d
shooting box in the Schwartzwaid, and the
peasantry was In a state of feverish ex-
e3tsnnent ~ to the rank and Identity of the
-v3Htors ~Hochgsborn."
1dss DuBre and her American friends dis
avoWsd the slightest curiosity concerning
Ne hunting party. 'Tt takes more than a
NV little German DukeIets or Princelets
. frighten an American GIRL" declared Miss
O01re when her landlord cautioned her to
kesp out Of the way of the titled visitors.
Early one morning the singer and her COM
DaA5ons tramped three miles across the for
1T to . little inn famous for May wine and
pancakes. While they were breakfastins
s~uMptuously on this simple menu a chatter
Of hoofs outside the inn and much pertur-
kS Within lDc II
rival Of the hunting party. In a minute the
Inn was in an uproar of confusion
Herr Host, his 1axened-hair frau, his
brood Of little Karls. Hans and Gretchens.
servant and guests stumbled over each
other In quaking agonies Of surprise, ~crIrfosi-
ty and delight. The newcomers overlooked
the little ~dining-room and three Of them
stepped out 10 the tiny verandah. where
Miss DuFre and her companions were
breakfasting. In the purest English one of
the newcomers requested the privilege OF
seats at their table. which was promptly
granted. Formally under the circum-
stances. would have been quite absurd and
the conversation at once became uncon-
ventionslly general. OF course the absorb
ing topic OF conversation TO the Americans
was the Spanish War. The "Hoch der
Kaiser" incident was then quite new. and
With a daring candor of an American girl
Miss DuFre discussed the incident. aud
frankly aired her opinions of the Kaiser and
the blum American naval officer who stood
not within the dread OF fear OF Kings. Her
companions vainly endeavored to turn the
subject Of conversation, but Miss DuFre's
eioQuence refused to be diverted from Its
charmed. until one of the party called her
attention to a quaint little pepper grinder
of unusual design which decorated the
table. At the close of the meal Miss Du-
Ere used her utmost powers OF persuasion
to induce the landlady TO sell the quaint lit
sc pSppcf hAhs- Shc ttllilCu Alter d
chat. during which Miss DuFre had trans
ferred to her sketchbook the features. of
the landlord. the landlady and their
haxen-haired family, she sketched the tall
est member of the German party. who heg-
her for the leaf from her book. which con-
tanned his likeness and romise in ex-
change a duplicate Of the little pepper
grinder the singer had admired. In the
course OF a day or two Miss DuFre was
amazed at the appearance in front of her
hotel Of two imperial equerries Of the EN-
perors own household. who brought her an
autograph note from Primo Henry Of
Aohenzollern and a dainty silver pepper
mill exactly like the one the singer had
admired. except that 1T bore two American
hags. crossed over the imperial crest Of the
German Empire.
Miss DuFre's Wanted American indie
pendence weakened when she discovered
that the "Dukelet'' she had treated with
such patronizing familiarity was no less ex-
alted an individual than the Prussian
Prince who Is now Americas honored guest.
From time TO time during the remainder
OF her stay at Germany 1t came to Miss
DuFre' blushing ears that Prince Henry
mad inquired about her. and that he had
with much amusement repeated the story
OF the little Schwartzwald adventure. If
Prince Henry. during his visit to st. louis.
should penetrate to Miss DuFre' dressing
room In the Century Theater. he would see
upon tho singers dressing table a quaint
little silver pepper mill, bearing a "Hohen-
yollern" crest.
Arthur sidman. whose York State Folks
10 one OF the successful plays of the wear.
used to tell an amusing story of a prouerty
man In a company with which he was con-
nected who wanted TO act, and whose de-
sire was finally gratifed. This master of
properties" was a lean, lank fellow, more
than . feet In height, and the most awk-
ward mortal that ever trod the boards. He
WAR ENGAGED shr0tr0h mn nlportte.-a>-, l..
. dramatic paper. and one OF the stipuIa-
lions was that he should play small parts
IN addition to looking after the company's
properties. When he made his appearance
At the place Of rehearsal all hopes of his
Milling the acting part of the contract were
abandoned. He never advanced beyond the
kindergarten stage. and .the carriage
awaits. my lord" was about his limit.
NE complaints We're frequent and earnest,
however. In his own words. it was in the
contract that he should act, and he want
ed the manager to live I'D to the agree
ment. One night there was a poorer house
than usual. which with this company meant
q very poor one. indeed. and Sidman,, who
was the stage manager, ~unbeknown to any
one else. told the young man that IL he go
desired he could, elaborate his scenes that
night. ana thus prove that his inability to
act had been caused by lack of opportunity.
Not daxed by this limitation, the young
maj went on after whispering to several Of
the company to watch him.
I'll show the manage of this troupe that
I'm. good for somethin' else besides hand
ling trunks" said he. and the wings filled
up with expectAnt actors. AT last the cue
came, and on he walked:
My lord. the carriage .awaits!' was his
line, but before the lord" who was the
Leading man of the company. could take
up his cue the property man had waved
him aside. and, advancing to the footlights,
added, g~randiloquently: And let me say
right here. that any man who raises his
hand against a woman. except in seif-de-
fense. II no gentleman"
With the stride Of a trasedian he made
his exit, and the curtain had TO be rung
Town. The leading man had completely for
gotte0 hle lines. and the actors in the
wings, doubled up with merriment. were
unable TO prompt him. Strange as it may
eesfn. that property man developed into
enc Of tho best eccentric comedians in the
profession. His name is Harry Crosby, and
his OEepn Biddle in York State Folks" is
o0e At II genuine hits of idman's charm
Ing eomedy Of village life.
Have you ever considered the problem
peny Tor presentation? ~ Julia Mariowe was
e0 N 6ayD asu NO" she answered.