Mexico Missouri message., 1905-09-21

Marthall =, Wilder, VI Nhles' anu lnese
meetings were due
entirely to his kindness OF nature and
generally were Of his own Initiative.
don't imagine lie knew Il, but the
Prince Of Wales once lifted me out OF
as uncomfortable n fix rs l ever got
into In London. The Ancient and Hon.
orable artillery, Boston's swell mill
tary organization, visited England in
1890 as guests of the Ancicnts and
lIonorablcs Of London, who entertain
ed them handsomely and had them pre-
scented 10 hcr majesty the queen. The
Boston company in turn gave a great
dinner to their hosts. Some Amerl.
cans then in the city were invited, and
/ had the good fortune TO be Of the
number.
The spectacle was brilliant I'm the
extreme, nine out OF every ten men
present being in full dress uniform.
The entire assemblage was gathered
informally in two long, gllttcring rows,
awaiting the Prince of Wales. who
was always the soul Of punctuality.
had many acquaintances in the two
uniformed bodies, as we'll as among
the nonmllitary guests, and was NOV
Ing about from one TO another. was
In conventional evening dress, and had
u tiny American flag pinned to the
lapel Of my coat.
How Are You, Little Chapp"
The master of ceremonies, whose
manner was more' consequential than
that OF any distinguished person in the
room, seemed annoyed that any civ
ilians were present, and he did his ut
most to separate them from the sol.
dicrs. had the misfortune to become
his bette noire. Whenever he found me
among the military men he gently but
perslstcntly pressed me away, but no
sooner did he eject me in one direction
than / reappeared from another and
between two pairs of gayly apparclcd
soldiers legs, so / made the poor fell
low nervous ana fussy TO the verge Of
distraction.
Exactly at 8 o'clock the Prince OF
Wales was announced and every one
came 10 attention. He entered with
the genial smile which was an inscpa-
rable part OF him and shook hands
with the American minister and other
digntaries. Soon he spicd me, came
across the room, greeted me very kind
ly ana said:
"IIow are you, little chap?"
VERY well. thank you, sir" l re-
piled.
Il am TO hear you tomorrow night at
the Duke OF DevOnshirc's, | under.
stand" lie continued "Won't you give
us that motherin-law pantomime of
yours"
Certainly, sir" answered. As the
prince left me and assembled the stairs
/ saw the master of ceremonies, who
had witnessed the meeting, was Wis.
IDLY disturbed. Soon he literally hoy.
cred about me and displayed fixed
and concillatory smile. The guests
began TO follow the prince, and as they
passed UP the stairs many Of them
greeted me. Senator Depew remarked:
Hello, Marshall, how are youT
That dear Old gentleman and Eng
Ii q idol, John L. Toole, passed, bllnkcd
L. rIly at me and said:
Glad TO see you again, Marshall
How are your"
An Army Celebrity.
Presently the master Of ceremonies
turned ncrvously TO an English officer
and asked, with an aggricved tone in
his voice:
"WhO is this little chap, anyway?
Everybody seems to know him"
The officer did not chance to know
me, but an English sergeant who was
of the attendant guard and was willing
TO impart information said: "IIc be.
longs TO the American army. Hes
MARSHAL" The great functlonary i'm
medately regarded me with profound |
respect, not unmixed with wonder at
the modesty Of great American sol,
diers, for an officer Of my supposedly |
exalted rank was entitled TO follow |
close behind his royal highness.
Tact Of King Edward.
King Edward has wonderful tact.
This quality Is not restricted to pub.
lie purposes. His acquaintance know
that It Is untirlngly exercised for the
benefit of Queen Alexandra, Of whose
deafness he is never unmindful. Often,
when had the honor to entertain the
royal family and their friends. it was
my duty to face the king Chen Prince
OF Wales). Sometimes this placed me
-embarrhssingly tOo-With my back to
the greater part OF the audience. But
the prince was regardless Of custom
ana his.oMp royal prerogative when his
enjoyment was endangered.
On one occasion when be saw that tbs
princess was not bearing me distinctly
be said softly 10 me, "AIF. Wilder,
Kindly turn yOur face toward the prin-
cess"
A Polite Princess.
And her royal highness Is as tactful
- he, The audience at a special en-
teFtainment given the shah Of Persia
10 London included the most distln;
pushed and wealthy people IN the city.