The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-11-18

The practicc of making an ostentatious
display OF presents at weddings has
reached Paris, where good taste hereto
sore has been proof against II, and as
is always the case with anything bor-
rowed from America or England. when
the French take it up they carry it TO
ridiculous extremes.
Since certain disagrecable incidents In
connection with the "cadeaux de mar
rage shows occurred It has become a
recognized practice 10 engage one or two
plain clothes policemen. sometimes moro,
10 keep an eye on the valuables on the
wedding day. These useful functonaries,
obliginclv lent by Prefect OF Police Le-
pine always are we'll dressed. sometimes
Indeed eclipsing in styllshDess the poor
relations OF the wcddinS couple, and
while they mingle unostentauously With
the guests they never wander Tar from
the tables on which the presents are laid
out. a the end OF the day, If everything
has gone well and nothing Is MISSING
they Are rewarded by fee which varies
With the value OF the "corheille," and the
generosity of those who engaged them.
They also have a right TO expect that
and their white gloves are furnished at
the expense of their clients
Display Sometimes Hired.
But they sometimes safeguard the in
terests not only OF the newly welded
couple. but OF the Iradcsmen VINO sup
Piled the goods For 1t occasionally nap,
pens that not ali the presents displayed
are the property Of the bride or bride
groom. So great is the desire among
certain class OF people TO make sensa-
tlon by a show OF costly gifts that will be
duly mentioned In the columns Of the So
ciety organs that IL has become recog-
nizsd custom with houses who make
speciality Of this kind OF business 10 ioan
,.,.t, Of s..vI-f fry a T.
pose Of figuring as marriage presents
pretty high figure Is exacted for
these accommodations" and in order
that they may be duly protected against
risks. tho jewelers. usually engage one or
t%6 detectives 10 keep a Watchtul eye
on the presents
Hint to Guest Explained.
a story Is told of "soiree de lan-
cailles" which was given few weeks
ago In stylish hotel In the Monceau
Misunderstanding old gentleman, ana
during the evening lie approached the
table on which the jewels presented to
the bride were exposed.
In order TO better examine mar
velous necklace which had excited his
ediniration, he attempted to take 1t IN
his hands. But at That moment some
one touched him lightly on the shoulder
and a low voice Whispered liz his car:
You may look, but you must not
touch"
w ny not 1SkSu tHt N'''i SSullS11dli
In surprise
"These are our orders" was the sig
nificant reply.
The old Partisan understood, and re-
tired, smiling.
At the present moment there are over
10000 Frenchmen waiting Tor their
turn TO be appointed TO some sort Of
position nt the Prefecture de Ia Seine,
The number of postulants for admission
10 the public health department alone
exceeds 10000. There would not be so
many II they were gifted with the in
genuity OF "Qusslmodo. who one fine
day. instead OF presenting his demand
with the usual number OF influential sig
natures, and waiting ten years for a
problematical post. took up his place on
The parvis Of the Hotel dc Vile. before
the door leading 70 the municipal coun-
eli
Active and obsequlous, he was always
on hand when the councillors and high
functionarieS arrived, 70 open the doors
oS their carriages or tetch them cab.
Tie would run errands, execute little
commissions OF various sorts, and make
himself gencraly useful. He received