The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-07-31
Mr.. TuckertOn
A Story of New York When
! the City Was Decorated
For War
By ETHEL HOLMES

1t was springtime, and New York
city is very gay during the season
when the trees are budding-not that
trees bud In the metropolis except in
the parks, and one would suppose that
those who seek New York In spring
would prefer the country. But this
spring to which l refer was different
from other springs. The United States
had entered the worlds war, and the
national emblems which hitherto had
foated solely from public buildings
were springing into the sunlight like
daffodils in a garden.
Fifth avenue, formerly lined with the
dwellings of the rich, now occupied by
costly buildings used for shops, was
one blaze Of banners. The flags of ten
nations We're mingled in profusion. Ev-
cry day for as much as twenty hours
the sidewalks Of that busy street are
lined with pedestrians, while from sun.
rise to sunset a policeman of the traf.
1c squad stands at every corner to
regulate the passing Of vehicles from
the cross street, whirling a sign, re-
minding one Of a weather vane, on
which are painted in large letters GO
and STOP" The autocrat Of the street
Is obeyed implicitly by the thousands
of chauffeurs who are passing back and
forth, for woe betide the driver who
dares dispute his ordersl
Two young men, Archibald Potter
and Charles Vandergriff, dressed In the
height Of fashion, were sauntering VI
this thronged thoroughfare, now TAX
ing off their hats to some damsel in
glittering automobile, now looking uI
at the mingling Of banners floating
from the houses, now pausing before
shop window to look at one Of the
many pictures of grim war used by
vendors Of merchandise to attract at
tention. Presently they met young
man who also seemed absorbed In the
display of bunting, autos, throngs and
other objects Of interest.
"Who is that fellow, ARCHER asked
one Of the young men referred to o.
the other. Il saw him last night a
the club. / wonder who introduced
him. He didn't seem to know any on'
there, but sat by himself reading {
newspaper"
ivan Kleek put him up All know
about him is that he Is an Englishman
cockney, / believe, but what he's do
ing over here don't know. Van Keel
introduced him to me- but / noticed
that Van didn't give him any title, just
said Mr.. Tuckerton,' that's all"
"Van knows how to do thing like
that" the other suggested. IF he In
PRODUCES one he wishes to be favorably
received he introduces him as My es
pecial friend, Mr. So-and-so.' If not
the pasty is simply Mr.. So-and-so,
which means, don't vouch for him
And the young men went on theil
way, admiring the scene afforded By
what, at least at the time, was thu
most brilliant street in the world.
Let us leave them and follow Mr.
Tuckerton He was walking up tn,
avenue, and his gaze was fixed prin
cipally on the flags. The sight Of thu
ensign Of ones country displayed in 1
foreign land is always pleasing, an(
when Mr. Tuckertcn saw the Uniol
Jack of England sandwiched between
the tricolor of France and the Star,
and Stripes or mingled with the flag
Of all the allies smile lowered abou
his lips Fifth avenue leads into Cen
trail park, and the stranger entered
that inclosure, noting everything tina
appeared with the interest of one wht
saw 1t for the first time. Z
Englishmen are great walkers, anC
Mr.. Tuckerton kept on his feet until i
was time to return to his hotel TO
dinner He dined alone and after din
ing went to his room, where he en-
gagged in writing till the middle of tn,
evening, when he ordered a taxical
and departed for the residence of Mrs
WOrthington, one of New York's for
mer aristocrats, when refinement stoOC
for what is now represented by mil
lions, but who was sufficiently well t,
do to maintain her position among tn,
gilded aristocracy.
Mr.. Tuckerton found a gathering a
Mrs. Worthington's of New York's so
cial representatives. On coming dow
from the robing room he met Val
Kleek, who was a sort of go-betweel
connecting Mrs. Worthington and tn,
money autocrats of New York. Val
Kleek and the Englishman went to
gether to the hostess to salute her
The lady received Mr.. Van Kleek witt
a familiar nod, but greeted Tuckertol
as she would any other guest
There are many persons in fashion
able New York society who have pass
ed through an experience of socia
climbing that has given them a full
appreciation Of the position to whicl
they have attained. This class Is nat
urally Jealous Of any one attaining
easily that which they themselves hav,
been at so much pains to secure. N,
one at Mrs. Worthington's reception
knew Mr.. Tuckerton or that he was al
make his home in America. The,
merely noted the fact that an I'm
known person was admitted wher
they belonged, he not having either In
herited his ticket or climbed the lad
der at the top round Of which it wa
to be obtained. Mrs. Worthington dix
not introduce her British guests. Val
Kleek chatted with Tuekerton for som
time and seemed interested in his talk
but this was the ouly attention he re
ceived during the evening.
Finally Mr.. Tuckerton espied younl
lady sitting by herself who seemed a
much out Of place among the colder
throng as he was himself. He notices
that, though she was dressed in eX
quisite taste, there was not an expen
sive article in her makeup. Whethe
Tuckerton took pity on her on accoun
of her being left alone or whether b
saw something in her different fror
the glittering tinsel that made up tn
assembly, he was sufficiently interest
ed In her to ask Van Kleek about hel
Van Kleek said that she was the grand
daughter of one who had been prom
nent in New York society half a Ger
fury before The family had lost thei
means, but had recently won law
I suit that had returned to them enoug
Of their property to enable them to er
ter the social circle. Miss Warren ha
essayed to claim the social position t
which she was entitled by birth, bu
her place there had been filed, and sh
must begin at the bottom of the ladde
and climb like others.
Tuckerton asked Van Kleek for a
introduction to the young lady, an
Van Kleek at once granted the reques
The rest of the evening Mr. Tucker
ton spent with Miss Warren No on
paid the slightest attention to them; Q
least no one appeared to consider then