The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-10-19

We are prone TO premise that Harry I@hr
must be a caperous cad. whereas he Is the
Bismarck OF Americas social diplomacy.
We are also prone to premise that society
IL composed OF H~ght-headel women and
masculine Ioafers. whereas II is n very CON-
ple1 and intricate proposition in the Algebra
OF success.
Harry Lehr was born to a purpose. Ee-
fore he was out Of kuickerbocEsrs lie real-
lied It,.
He hadn't much money. But he was re-
spectacle. He knew how much education
he needed. and OF what sort. II doesn't do
20 know too much % interest women. but
you must know what Is polite. and you
must cultivate the discerument 10 employ
the polite wisely and we'll
This Is Harry LRhr's exquisite talent.
HIS DIFFICULT TASK.
Mr.. Lehrs genius is that Of being enter
tanning. Social diplomacy IS Tho subtle ert
OF adaptation. To have a list 90 1900 wOn-
en- acquaintance whom you must please. a
thousand Of whom you must delight, -" ot
whom you must charm, u" of whom You
must fascinate. and one q whom you must
keep from being JEALOUS. g. a task which Mr-
Iehr performs. not simply more su,eeSsfully
than any other man In America. but move
successfully than AL the hundreds 81 thou
sands Of other American men put together.
But you may contend that H. requires no
special genius to be what Mr.. Lehr is-the
dictator Of Americas highest social life.
Let u see.
Do you imagine that you yourself or any
other man you can think OF 81 these current
days can inEratiate himself into the eN-
elusive compauionship OF the wives-of thou
sands Of naturally Jealous husbands anu not
he beaten % death or shot FUN Of hslese
Try IL.
But Mr. Lehr can and does. And h has
the respect and confidence 81 every one II
those thousands 81 husbands. while he pre-
serves the sincere devotion Il his very hui
man and w0manly wife.
Nothing short Of the mos; mastery skill
could render such a condition as this under
ordinary circumstance. Whereas. American
social conditions are not ordinary circrm-
stances They are fever.sh. much diseorIad
OF this unsettled realm. He is its absolute
despot.
HIS WAY OF ENTERTAINING.
And here = the explanation:
Mr.. Lshr has been -superendowed with in
sfincts Of a frivolous order. which BE has
cultivated by underwriting devotion TO their
most extreme phases OF originality. While
other men have given all their time and at
tentiou 10 eurrossmeats which produce rev.
nue. end exte-minata desire FOR recreation.
Mr.. L&hr has reduced the chaos OF FUN 90
the science Of entertaining. until he has
made a profession OF giving pleasure
There are 50 few men who have tho lei
sure 20 give TO fancy. and so few who fancy
u1productive leisure. that Mr.. L.ehr shines
largely through never coming in contact
with any diSplacinS compauiouship. u has
always partakea q the somewhat selfish
luxury OF being alons.
Mr.. Lehr has always analysed the un-
speakabie teiiuu' Of the letsureiy exist noes
OF wealthy women. And. W.th ncthirE TO
DO himself but ofe= TO shara the emptiness
Of the lives Of those who arr 80 maltreatei
by luxury that they gov weary u Il. he
has invented ways - killing tire that have
become popular. funny ii,tI- murders Of n
nui. such as could only De- ro.ished by those
having no other way Of showing their Zrati-
tude than by the prod!gal waste of molay
and the most Indifferent employment OF
time.
II IL. naturally. quite impossible for the
average Individual 20 realize the difficulty
OF making a life OF luxury eudurabIe. So.