Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16
OUR EMBASSY IN PARIS
A Morning With Americans at
the French Capital.
DUTIES OF A PATIENT STAFF
Diplomats Listen to Troubles Of Uncle
Sans Citizens.
GRIEF OVER PROPOSED LAW
Effect It Will Have on Americans
Residing Abroad-Loss of Nation
atty After Five Years.
GRIEF OVER PROPOSED Law


| Our embassy in Paris was beginning its
| official day. In the salon six Americans
| four women and two men-waited to con-
! fide their troubles and prefer requests.
! They touseled the neat piles of American
newspapers kept in order by the apologize
| coored usher. They gazed at George
| Washington above the sofa, at hundred
governmental worthless done in steel and
copper by the printing and engraving bu-
reau, and they calculated the amount OF
money represented by the samples of
treasury notes. national bank notes. silver
certificates and yellow bellies massed to-
gether in another frame-and protected by
plate glass.
Meanwhile, the first secretary, Henry
Vignaud, received his first visitor-a very
grande dame from Chicago, in her auto
mobile, with a diplomatic case about the
disappearance of a diamond ring
Il can't suspect my maid can l? When
/ was down with nervous prostraton she
cared for like a trained nurse. The
chambermaid who brings my coffee is not
the same as the waiter who brings up my
meals; nor are the two girls who make the
| room the same as those who sweep and wax
the foor-the latter is another man, and
neither waiter got as far as my bed room,
although the boy-in-buttons once brought
me up some cakes and bonbons from
Glopp's. 1t was an Old Mine stone of two
carats, pure white, and as it belonged to
my husbands first wife, l valued it par
ticularly.'
Didn't Want to Start Anything.
"I'll have a detective look round, ma
DAME" said the first secretary. by the
way, do You pay taxes on your automobile?
Or have you any other little thing that
denunciation might stir up? We are going
to antagonize revengeful servants!'
clio IL.
rose. She hesitated-but she was not lost.
DO nothing; 1 will think it over" was her
diplomatic parting injunction.
Mr. Vignaud, though possessed of
French name, is complete American,
Louisiana born. and the greatest living au-
thority on Christopher Columbus When,
therefore, second 1ady's diplomatic case
forced on him the role of house agent, he
and, generally, of the ungrateful situation
of explorers.
Il rented the apartment in December"
she explained. And l took more care
of that furniture than 1 would of my own;
no music except my little sons violin prac-
tice; no visitors except on my day; and
now he won't let me move out till / pay
four month"; rent beside that of February"
you signed no lease? Was there a YER
bal understanding?
How could 1 agree to stay, not knowing
whether 1 would like it? And my sister
had not yet decided she would not stay
down in Italy, in which case"
such verbal leases for SIX months are
admitted by custom of Paris; but l will
write to your landlord, telling him he ought
not hold lady. Often they yield when we
write them
Then there came a business man from
Philadelphia with a truculent, bad eye.
you know, they pinched him, an American.
What kind of country is this anyway?
His passport called for full protection.
Was it cigars; or English matches?"
inn
How did you know" CThe visitors man
ner grew less cockyD II had box of Ha-
vanas opened, and a few cigars loose and
box that l forgot to open, and some Eng
lish matches, yes. Perhaps twenty boxes.
perhaps thirty. Well, what of it?''
They are dutiable, very strictly.
How could l know that?'
Looked Different to Customs Me-.
''Of course" replied the diplomat: but
to the customs men 1t looked as ~ you
knew: man may have his favostte brand
of cigars; but such a quantity of Witches
VIGOROUSLY cheap in England. rtsoriously
dear In France! But. as you're 4 tourist,
may get you off with a hne!
when will the fine come roi'ud 10 me?'
Perhaps in one month. Pc naps two
He was a business man; rejecting that
he was due in Berlin In eight days and
home in Philadelphia In three weeks the
prospect of the fine did not distress him.
So he shook hands arr departed Had
a pleasant chat with tie Ambassador he
Dragged that night j., the hotel
And do you spensi your das 'iSe ;h'k2"
/ asked.
1T is the practice OF this embassy to re-
fuse nothing" answered the fist secretary.
You will by the next visitor that II
is not all tobacco and diamonds. i adj
mire the lady's motive enormously; but
as she does not understand a word of
French / wonder what she hopes to learn
on tourist trip by giving time to the in
spection of primary scbools!
This visitor had letters from the gov
ernor of her state, not to speak of the
county school superintendent, requesting
there be procured for her unusual oppor-
tunities to inspect and study the primary
school system of Paris Mr.. Vignaud filled
up the following copper-plate letter form
for her:
Ambassade des Etats-Unis,
10 Avenue Klober, Paris
L'Ambassade des Etats-Unis recommando
au bon accueil de Observation-Disclosures.
Pour Iambassadeur,
LIE premier secretaire.
Many Want to Inspect Schools.
oil Tho time yrolri,<, ont v,o nave