The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-07-30
Mr.. Tuckerton
A Story Of New York When
the City Was Decorated
For War
By ETHEL HOLMES


It 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 i 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 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 were mingled in profusion. Ev-
ery day for as much as twenty hours
the sidewalks Of that busy street are
lined with pedestrians, while from sun
rise to sunset policeman Of the traf-
fic squad stands at every corner to
regulate the passing of vehicles from
the cross street, whirling 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 orders!
Two young men, Archibald Potter
and Charles vandergriff, dressed in the
height of fashion, were sauntering up
this thronged thoroughfare, now TAX
ing of their hats to some damsel In
a glittering automobile, now looking up
at the mingling Of banners floating
from the houses, now pausing before
a 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 a 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 of
the other. II saw him last night at
the club. l wonder who introduced
him. He didn't seem to know any one
there, but sat by himself reading q
newspaper"
Ivan Kleek put him up All know
about him Is that he is an Englishman
a cockney, l believe, but what he's do
ing over here don't know. Van KleeL
introduced him to me- but l 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
troduces one he wishes to be favorably
received he introduces him as MY es
pecial friend, Mr.. So-and-so.' II not
the party is simply Mr.. So-and-so
which means, I 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 the
most brilliant street In the world.
Let US leave them and follow Mr.
Tuckerton. He was walking up the
avenue, and his gaze was fixed prin
cipally on the Tags The sight Of the
ensign Of ones country displayed In a
foreign land is always pleasing, and
when Mr.. Tuckerton saw the Union
Jack Of England sandwiched between
the tricolor of France and the Stars
and Stripes or mingled with the flags
Of all the allies smile hovered about
his lips. Fifth avenue leads into Cen.
trail park, and the stranger entered
that inclosure, noting everything that
appeared with the interest Of one who
saw 1t for the first time.
Englishmen are great walkers, and
Mr.. Tuckerton kept on his feet until II
was time to return to his hotel for
dinner. He dined alone and after din
ing went to his room, where he en-
gagged in writing till the middle Of the
evening, when he ordered a taxicab
and departed for the residence Of Mrs.
Worthington, one of New York's for
mer aristocrats, when refinement stood
ASA "hos 40 AAo" ACphccehScu ny ull-
lions, but who was sufficiently well to
do to maintain her position among the
gilded aristocracy.
Mr.. Tuckerton found a gathering at
Mrs. Worthington's of New York's So
cial representatives On coming down
from the robing room he met Van
Kleek, who was a sort Of go-between
connecting Mrs. Worthington and the
money autocrats of New York. Van
Kleek and the Englishman went to-
gether to the hostess to salute her.
The lady received Mr.. Van Kleek with
a familiar nod, but greeted Tuckerton
as she would any other guest.
There are many persons in fashion
able New York society who have pass
ed through an experience Of social
climbing that has given them a full
appreciation of the position to which
they have attained. This class is nat
urally Jealous of any one attaining
easily that which they themselves have
been at 80 much pains to secure. No
one at Mrs. Worthington's reception
knew Mr.. Tuckerton or that he was an
Englishman who did not intend to
make his home In America. They