The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-14
Fad For MementOes of Visit Cap
lures Washington.
Head Waiter at Hotel Offered
$4,000 For Scarf Pin.
WOULD BUY TOWELS.
Just Because Prince Henry Used
Them.
An Editors Experience at the
New York Banquet.

Washington, March It'll give you
s., 600 for that pin. and will write
check right here
This was the offer made Frank And
res, head waiter at the New Willard.
one day last week for the magnificent
scarf pin which was presented to him
by Prince Henry. And it was only one
of a score of offers he has received since
he appeared in the restaurants with the
coveted piece of Jewelry sticking IN the
lapel of his vest. The $1,000 offer. as
we'll as many others, ranging about the
81 900 mark, was turned down, the gen
tlemanly Frenchnan preferring the to-
ken of esteem of the prince to the
Haunted shekeis OF the sordid plebeian
And the experience of Mr. Andres IS
only an illustration of the experiences
met a dozen times day by every one
who possesses any sort or souvenir Oh
the princes visit. Washington seems TO
have gone souvenir crazy, if the actions
of the people about the hotel Hobbies and
capitol corridors can be taken as cri-
terfon Men and women, as well as
young ladies of wealth, seem ready 20
part with almost anything they possess
if they can only secure something when
was bestowed by the prince, or some
souvenir of his visit
The craze, however is not confined to
the capital. Stories from New York city
indicate that the people who were rich
enough, but not aristocratic enough, to
gain the presence of the imperial VlSl-
tor, also will go to any extreme 10 Sc
cure a souvenir of his stay in the me-
tropolis. The best illustration of this
is the experience of a western editor
who attended the editors dinner at
which the prince was a guest.
This gentleman is one of the best
known men of the country, but owing
to the crowd he was compelled to SIT at
some distance from the main table.
When the speaking began he, like many
others. advanced to the main room, so
as to be able to hear distinctly He
stood with his hands crossed back of
him, holding the little bust of the prince
which was given every one who attend
ed the dinner. Suddenly he was sur
prised to find the bust had been jerked
out of his hand He turned in time to
with it, and the funny part of the story
is that the waiter got away with the
goods, doubtless selling the bust for d
good sum.
"Sh, Don't make any noise about it
young man, but here's a dollar for you.
j want you to get me ribbon from the
HOhenzOllern or the Meteor
These We're the words of a we'll
dressed man in the lobby of the New
Willard last week to one of the servants
who attended the princes suite during
their stay at that hosiery. The young
Teuton disappeared, keenly alive to the
PinkertOn atmosphere sought to be pro-
duced by the wealthy stranger who
was anxious for souvenir of one of
the vessels. Later the servant returned,
having secured the prize. He delivered
it to the well-dressed stranger, who lib
orally rewarded him, although just how
much he paid for the little strip of silk
is not known.
Ever since the prince departed the at
PENDANTS and servants at the White
House and at the German embassy have
been besieged by wealthy people. who
have offered almost any price for souve-
Mrs of the Princes visit. Large offers
have been made for the towel a piece
OF one of the towels the prince used at
the embassy after his bath which followed
MS ride with the president One Of the
attendants at the White House succeeded
He has been offered high as $500 for it,
but he has declined everything. saying he
desires to keep the bit of paSteboard for
himself and his descendants.
A menu of the dinner at the White
House attended by Prince Henry could
be sold a dozen times for anything its
be priced above almost anything else
As there were eighty-seven guests and
but ninety programmes printed, they are
OF course scarce one hangs over the |
bar at popular down town saloon and |
has not been taken down. although one
offer of 500 and several of $50 and 800 |
that dinner it is understood. have re- I
ceived repeated offers for the menus car !
ried home by them.
The day of the Hay speech. during the |
ceremonies at the capitol in memory of |
the late President Mckinley. which Presi- |
dent Roosevelt and Prince Henry attend |
ed. tickets of admission brought all the |
way from % to $50. Representative and 1
senators were openly approached for their |
extra seats. and hotel clerks. capitol en-
ployeS and others of that class disposed of |
clerk received $50 for his seat and a few
moments later was encountered by a man |
who said he would have paid 800 for it.
xnEzaR--@ A.-