The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-12-20
BRYAN, HONOR GUEST,
SENDS BILL FOR $500
Charges for Address After
Feast and Entertainment
in Leesburg. Va.
GETS GOLDEN KEY TO CITY
Reduces Regular Fee Of $500
Because People Were SO
Kind to Him.

WAsHrSGroN. Dec. 1a-Thc story has
lust crept back to Washington from Lees
burg Va, less than fifty miles away,
how Secretary Of state William Jennings
Bryan received an invitation To the beau
tiful little county seat Of fair Loudon. was
toasted and entertained. received the fre'-
dom Of the city with Il golden copy 90
the City Hall key. was listened t. with
interest for more than an hour and tn n
after he had been shipped back 10 Wash
ington by special train sent his enter
tainers bill for $500 for the speech.
Back in September the citizens OF Lou
don county decided they must have an
opportunity to entertain the Secretary "i
State. They chose for the occasion oi
this entertainment the time of the annual
Heavy Draft Show, at n season OF re-
union for the farmers OF the country
side.
Ignores Mexico for LersburE.
Desnite the fact that one of the SEM
weekly Mexican crises was in bright st
bloom the Secretary found II entirely pos
sible to absent himself from WashinSto
for tust that one day. lie accepted 'at
invitation, and special electric tr'ir
over the Old Dominion Railway carried
him to Leesburg.
A delegation OF prominent citizens ant
officers of the Heavy Draft Show A5So
ciation, headed by the Mayor OF Lees
hure. Charles F.. Harrison. surrounded th'
Secretary when he descended from th'
special train.
Then the Mayor presented to the
Secretary Of State the little velvet box
When the Secretary opened It he found
little key OF solid gold, the symbol OF the
city's freedom.
Mr.. Bryan smiled and pocketed the little
golden key in the capacious tail pockets OF
his Prince Albert Then he proceeded
| to Selma, Mr.. Whites beautiful country
place on the outskirts of leesburg. where
an elaborate luncheon was spread. Here
again the aristocracy of Loudon gathered
to do Mr. Bryan honor.
After the luncheon Mr.. Bryan was
driven to the fair grounds. The Heavy
Draft Show was in full swing. The farm
ers from all about were making an old
fashioned virginia noIluaS'
Escorted TO the judges stand OF the
| racetrack, Mr.. Bryan was introduced for
mally to the assemblage by Represents
tive Carlin There followed one OF Mr.
| Bryan's we'll known addresses
COnsternatiOn Among NirRintans.
A few days elapsed and then to the con.
| sternation of the officers of the Heavy
Draft Show Association a note was re.
ceived from the Secretary OF State. In the
note Mr.. Bryan expressed his delight al
his entertainment.
He reckOned the occasion one OF the
happiest In his extended career OF travel,
| ling and public speaking, His hosts had
been royal In their hospitality. and Mr.
Bryan was not unmindful of the care the,
had shown in making his stay 50 pleasant
| Further, in view OF the infOrmality OF
tho circumstances under which the en-.
Eagement to speak had been made and
| the entire absence Of any contract, Mr.
Bryan would charge the Heavy Draf,
Show Association only 5000 for his ser
vices. His custom was, he said. to charge
$500 for similar engagements.
Now the Heavy Draft Show official,
are peevish. They paid the bill and are
keeping quiet about 1t. pocketing theil
, chagrin.
For smart Holiday Gifts visit the j. n
| Regan importation Company. ltO West t2n,
street. .dJolninE the Hotel KnickerbockeI