Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-07-12
FELTER'S VACATION.
The Story of n Visit to Germany
With High HOnOrs.

Once upon a time the senate restau-
rant at Washington was managed by
q German-American named Felter, who
was q renowned caterer. to senatorial
appetites and of course was popular.
In one of the nine months congress
sional vacations Felter concluded to
visit his old home in Germany, so he
applied to Jim Christy, deputy SER
geant at arms, for ocean transportation,
which in due time was produced, and
Felter started in high glee. He did not
know how Christy procured the passes,
nor did he care
When he embarked the captain of
the German line received him cordial
ly, but with great dignity assigned him
to one of the best staterooms and
adorned his cabin with flowers. He
had the post Of honor at table and was
treated as a hero Or as great person
age might be treated.
Felter the cook could not understand,
but he took all that was offered and
made the best Of the situation. When
the vessel finally reached her destina-
ton and the passengers were landed
the captain Of the ship introduced Eel
ter to the mayor, who awaited his CON-
ing and insisted that he make his home
in the mayors residence during his WIS.,
1t. His establishment increased, but he
accepted all of these attentions with
out asking any questions.
The following day he was banqueted
as the guest of the city and was called
upon for speech. To the best Of his
ability he complied and explained the
complex workings Of the great repub-
lie Of which he was a naturalized part,
and every utterance was applauded.
But Felter was unhappy, anxious to
get away and find some old friends
who might explain the reason for all
this adulation. When the banquet was
over an old schoOlmate managed to get
hold Of his hand and begged him to go
to his house for the night This Felter
gladly did, although the mayor gave
reluctant permission, indicating that it
was the next thing to discourteous for
Felter to abandon the mayors home
while he was the guest of the city.
AS soon as they were alone the friend
inquired in German, "Felter what sort
of game is this you have come over
here to play on the folks Of the father
land?"
II don't understand the game myself,
and l wish that you could explain it to
me. amp the keeper of the restaurant
Of the senate and am earning a good
living at tin fact, saving money. But
that is no position of high honor, and
don't know what these people are doing
all this entertaining for. 1t is away
beyond me-"
why, the steamship people issued
your pass for Senator Felter and an
nounced the coming of the senator on
their line, and that's the reason you are
thus received-in honor of your alleged
rank and station"
Lets look at the passes" said Felter.
And there, sure enough, although he had
not noticed it before, Jim Christy had
secured passes for Senator Felter," be-
cause in no other way could he have
secured them.
Felter left the town early the next
day and never re-entered it until he
had concluded his visit to relatives,
and then he came back just in time to
catch the returning steamer before she
left her dock When he returned to
Washington the things that he said to
Jim Christy were too numerous and too
strenuous for publication.-St. Louis Re-
public.