The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-24

Miss Grace Listoe, who has been the
guest Of Mrs. S. e. Olson, left Thursday
for Chicago. She viii visit friends in sew
eral cities on her way east and vii sail
toe came to st. Paul last fall to attend
the wedding of her brother. She is the
daughter of Consul General Soren Llstoe
Of Rotterdam and she has number Of
interesting things to say Of the domestic
side Of consular life. " -2-5s- :
The Lfstoes were not unfamiliar with
continental life when they went to Rot
terdam, for they had spent year in Dus-
seldorf, where Mr.. Listoe was consul. He
was appointed just at the close Of an adj
ministration and it was but twelve months
before his successor relieved him. Mr..
Listoe brought his family back to st.
Paul. but, it was only short time before
the exigencies OF public life called him to
Rotterdam.
The social life Of tho consular circle In
Rotterdam centers around the American
consulate, for the representatives OF the
other countries are all either bachelors
or widowers. - @a
1T was very amusing" laughed Miss
Llstoe, when the new Danish consul
was appointed. We were all hoping that
he would have g. large family to bring
with him. We knew he had been in Eng
land for some time and looked forward to
pleasant friendships with his wife and
daughters, who would be sure to speak
English. Unfortunately we soon found
out that he was w1dower. The Amer
lean vice consul, Mr.. Vorrwihden, has a
wife, a. charming Dutch lady, but with
the exception Of the American the con
sulates are all presided over by bach
elors or widowers.
There is little social life in Rotter-
dam. It is seaport and a. commercial
city and as soon as the residents accu-
mulate money enough they move to
Amsterdam or The Hague American
travellers seldom. remain in the city long
and usually go from steamer to train, sc
that we do no tsee as much Of the tourists
as we would in some stations. Those who
do come to the consulate usually have
some trouble to be adjusted, baggage has
been mislaid, a train missed or informa-
ton IS wanted in regard to hotels or pen.
sions." -.
"A consul is an animated guide book in
the estimation Of the American public,
and travellers seem to believe that he is
sent to Europe to pull them out of diff
cultfes, plan a trip for the least possible
sum, oblige the authorities to run trains
out OF season to make connections-in-
stead Of to promote the commercial in
terests Of the country. They hunt him
up as soon as they land to inquire about
the feeling system. Every traveller has
heard much Of the tips which make q
European journey smooth or rough and
the consul is asked to tell the truth in
regard to a custom which they all con-
denim and yet follow.
ut is the over-generosity Of the Ameri-
can man Of wealth that makes feeling a
burden" declared Miss Listoe. 1.-THE
usual custom abroad Is to give 10 per cent
Of the bill in gratuities, and that usually
amounts to but a small sum- =.
These are questions, however, which
more properly concern the consul than his
family, although they may indirectly feel
the influence Of a trunk which refuses to
be found. In many cases the consul calls
on his wife or daughters to furnish aid
and sympathy, and a countrywoman, i'll
and forlorn, finds In them kind and help
full friends. There is no fund for the
consul to draw on, and any financial as