The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-11-10
AN AMERICAN , NOBLEMAN.
Story Told of Simple Kentucky
Farmer Who Respected Himself
While He Suspected Others-Some-
thing of a Sovereign Himself lie
Made Good With a Grand Duke.
Richmond Times-Disnntch.

hlcnmOnu Ilmes-Dlspalcu.
A plain, ordinary kentuckian, Pres
ton by name, has been the subject OF
recent appreciative sketch in the
Louisville Times, and in this narra-
tive is related an anecdote that is es-
pecially refreshing in these days when
a mere paper title or u morganatic
coronet is an open sesame to Ameri
can society, and the common pretext
for profound genufiection on the part
of those in the smart set who desire
to ape royalty and parade princely
guests as social assets.
But here is the story: When the
Grand Duke Alexis visited this coun-
try some years ago he desired to see
| the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.
Preston, this simple Kentukcy farmer,
was engaged to drive His Highness
a distance of seven miles from the
nearest railway station to the cave.
On the way, the Grand Duke gave
orders for a stop so that he might
inspect a colt which had caught his
fancy. His attendants obsequiously
took off their hats and bowed their
heads. Mr.. Preston did nothing of
the sort. One of the attendants of
the Grand Duke requested Mr..
Preston to do as the Others had
done, remarking that Mr. Preston
was in the presence of sovereign.
This made no special impression on.
Mr.. Preston, who replied: 'Im some
thing of sovereign myself" and
kept on his hat. Later in the day,
as equals in rank, the Grand Duke
and Mr. Preston touched their glasses
while of wine at dinner, and treated
each other with those graceful cour-
tesies prevail among gentlemen in oil
countries. The Grand Duke knew
the difference between a toady and a
gentleman.
While they have maintained a cour-
teOus silence, it must have been diff
cult many times in the past, as it
must be difficult now, for the mem
bers of royal families to endure all
the toadying with which they are
usually greeted in America. Not in
America alone, but in England, foI
the late King Edward was tre
mendously annoyed when he was
given too much notice and too much
obsequious attention at watering
places where he sought the privacy
of an individual and not the publicity
of a monarch. When Prince Henry
of Prussia left America, many flunkies
of the smart set in different places
thought that they had impressed hin
most delightfully."-, but such was not
the case. So distasteful to him was
this toadyism in a'Democratic coun
try that he dissuaded his nephew, the
Crown Prince of Germany, from com
ing to the United States.
One may we'll wonder if there is not
a great deal of plain truth in George
AIDES comedy, "The Man From
Home" in which an Indiana lawyer
an anglicized toady from the United
States, and q Russian Grand Duk'
are principles. The Grand DUKE
(who is incognito) detests the toady
but likes the frank ways and th'
homely wit and wisdom OF the poo
Indiana lawyer. This Indianian
who, OF course, has no idea as to tn
identity of the Russian Grand Duke
always greets him as "Doc." Whel
at last the Grand Duke makes him
self known, he extends a hearty in
vitation to the thunder-struck In
dianian to visit the Grand Duca
palace, and the Indianian replies
"Yes, and If you ever come to Koko
mo, just take hack and any OF tn
boys will tell you where | live"
Men gravitate toward men, NJ
matter how great a chasm Of dig
nifty and authority lies betweel
them. Many who wear the purple, NJ
doubt, feel strong secret contemp
for the cringing social fiunkies tina
they meet in America. 1t would b
we'll if there were more Prestons il
this land OF ours.