McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1916-05-12

Whisper, all IN the minor melancholy
Slavic keys that they love SO well.
Exquisite piano playing was heard;
the A-fat nocturne of Chopin, a tone
picture of crystal clearness, speaking
to the soul in language without
words, and higher than words. Then
there was toe-dancing, girl repre-
senting a swan, fitting around on the
tips of her toes; then there was
dancing Which would have made our
grandmammas NUFF SEQ. There
were Egyptian dances which made
one feel creepy, and lot of singing
in French and other languages that
was sweet.
left at half-past twelve. just as
the banquet was announced, went
across the street and got me a glass
of milk and wedge of rhubarb pie.
went home and felt much better the
next morning than If had spent an
hour at the banquet table at the Wal
dorf-Astoria. | had seen enough of
that mealstrom Of society, in which,
when once engulfed, one loses his
taste for the ordinary, useful things
Of life, and where a Tennessee chap
like me would be about as much at
home as catfish in the parlor at the
house of Glenn Lea.
In closing will say a few words
about Prince Loris-Melikoff. | wish
it were possible for me to describe
this Russian nobleman as he really
looks. He comes about up to my
shoulder, his eyes are black as ripe
muscadines, bis hair the same, and he
has the most perfect manners of any
one have ever seen. 1t would be
impossible for him to make a mistake |
in that line, or to offend you. His
nose is long and keen, and his fore
head retreating. but there is a peren-
NAL smile on his dark-complexioned |
countenance, and there is not the
slightest awkwardness in any of his
movements. AS soon as | would en-
ter his office in the chancellery of the
Russian Embassy at Washington, he
would ring for the servant and have
grape juice and crackers brought in,
for he knew | liked them. He also
had fragrant Russian tea brought in,
which he made himself by pouring hot
water over the dry leaves and such
tea as it was! Only the diplomatic
corps and other highly privileged per-
sons can get it. It is said to be made |
from the tips OF tine bud-leayes of the |
tea plant, gathered when the dew is
on it, and costs several dollars a
pound. But, honestly, the tea we
used to make of cross-yine leaves in
McNairy tasted better to me, for II
don't care for store tea, and sassafras
beats it ! all-hollow. Prince Loris-
Melikoff has presented me his
photograph, with personal dedica-
cation to me underneath. and il shows
him in the full uniform and regalia Of |
his rank as Chamberlain of the EN-
peror Of Russia, while on his breast
are the jeweled and bespangied deco
rations showing the high honors and
orders his government has bestowed
upon him. As I said before. there
must be delicate and high-bred class,
even though small, to do the diplo-
matte work; there must be butterflies
and humming-birds as we'll as hens
and eagles, and my friend the Prince
is one Of the delicate ones, but Almost
useful man he is, too. Sach men
help keep the balance of peace among
nations, and an incautious word from
one of them echoes around the world,
while their silent, able work often
ayerts war. He invited me to visit
him at his new Embassy at Bangkok,
Siam, but it is safe bet that he will l
never see me there, on the other side
Of the world. | hardly know where /
to look for it on the map. He told |
me that in that far-off country the
United States would have a good
friend, in him. He was happy yester-
day because the Gar had conferred
on him new decoration, that of St.
Vladimir, the name meaning Ruler
of the World. shall never see him
again, perhaps, but while life lasts II
shall not forget Prince Joseph Loris-
Melikof Of Russia and his graceful
kindness to me.
In closing, ii may be well to say
that never, no matter what the sur
rounding. have forgotten that | am
an American; a sovereign citizen of
the greatest country on earth; that |
have never been carried away by the
glamor of noble birth or the glitter
Of jewels, but have not failed to re-