The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-01
He Travelled from Frisco to New
York Without Paying
a Cent.
The Courier betrayed All Expen-
ses and Is Promised Innu-
merable Decorations.
Persians in New York Had to
Buy His Kighness Steamer
Ticket.
New York Sun Special Service.

New York Sun Special Service.
Chicago, Feb. His highness, Ali
Asghar Khan Atabek Azam, grand
viZier of Persia, travelled from coast
to coast across the United States
without spending a cent, and, so far
as anybody has been able to discover,
without cent in his pocket.
In New York they held a steamer
not because his highness was taking
bath, but because he did not have
the necessary car fare. In San Fran
cisco they came near holding his
trunk because he did not have the
price of the large, juicy steaks for
which he displayed a fondness.
The grand viZier gave a magnificent
display of that oriental tinesse which
has won such renOWn for the Shah of
Persia and the Sultan of Turkey. In
cidentally, there are those who re-
greet it, and among them is Jules
Clerfayt, special agent for the Trans
Siberian railway and railroad guide
for the distinguished party.
"A great experience; great expert
ence; but, oh, so costly!" murmured
Mr.. Clerfayt as he borrowed $40 at
at the Auditorium hotel last night,
1T was like this" said he, as he bor-
roWed Il cigar from the clerk and a
match from the box His highness
came to San Francisco Friday night
Of week before last. I went on the
steamer to meet him. His son and
his minister of education were with
him. Then there were a secretary and
four servants. That made eight.
His Highness Was Cordial.
The grand vizer greeted me very
cordially. [ asked him which hotel
he preferred. The best he said, and
We went to the Palace. Three days
We remained there. Then we pre-
tn CT art fnr hut ha
porter didn't see it that way. He
had a bill for a little more than 500.
The money or the baggage he said
the grand vizier's bagga ge-which
shall 1T beg
II asked the grand vizier. oh,
bother it, he said. in French. You
pay the bill; / make it good and i
decorate you So I paid the bill and
we started for the depot. But there
were no tickets. When I asked the
grand vizier, he said:
oh, bother the tickets! You pay
for them and give you two decora-
tons Finally, he turned over a
check, signed by the Persian minister
at Washington.z- But the check was
for only $500, while. the tickets were
$783.9O.
."'Oh, bother the difference!' said
the grand vizier. You pay the differ.
ence and I give you three decorations.'
/ tOlQ MIN mo. linen ne promised
to pay me when we got to Omaha.
We started, but we had no berths,
and again I asked for money.
ooh, bother the sleepers,' said the
grand vizier. You pay it and I give
you four decorations So ! paid.
When we got to New York the agent
of the Union Pacific wanted his
money.
just Another Decoration.
"'You pay it, said the grand vizier
to me. I give you another decora-
ton I settled with the railroad.
I'VE started for the steamer Phila-
delphia. The grand vizier had no
tickets and they cost $3.50. Pay you
when we get to Cherbourg,' he said
to the agent. No, thanks answered
the agent. You pay now or you don't
ride The Persians who were there
to see the grand vlzier off made up
the $3.50
Then 1 asked him for the expenses
and he gave me this check" and Mr..
Clerfayt took a visiting card from his
pocket. There were dots and dashes
on it. I'm going to send it to Wash
ington, to the Persian minister" he
concluded, hopefully.