The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-07-25
Mr.. Tuckerton
A Story of New York When
the City Was Decorated
For War
R ETHEL HOLiMES

II was SpEm8tAAuc, ouu N0W xOrE
,itv Is very gay during the season
rhen the trees are budding-not tha
trees bud In the metropolis except il
,be parks, and one would suppose tina
those who seek New York In sprins
would prefer the country. But this
,Odng to which l refer was differen,
from other springs. The United States
had entered the worlds war, and the
national emblems which hitherto had
aOated solely from public buildings
we're 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 a policeman of the traf-
&c 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 60
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 off their hats to some damsel In
glittering automobile, now looking up
| 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
venders Of merchandise to attract at
ention. 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 Of
the other Il 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 a
newspaper"
Van Kleek put him up All know
nhout him 10 that bo e., on Epolicbn,on
a cockney, believe, but what he's do
ing over here 1 don't know. Van Kleek
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. If not,
the party is simply Mr.. So-and-so,
which means, I don't vouch for him.
And the young men went on their
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..
Nckerton. He was walking up the
avenue, and his gaze was fixed prin
cpally on the flags. 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
Ills lips. Fifth avenue leads into Cen
'ral park, and the stranger entered
mat 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 it
was time to return to his hotel for
ainner. He dined alone and after din
ing went to his room, where he en-
gagged In writing till the middle of the
s'ening, when he ordered taxicab
ahd departed for the residence of Mrs
"orthingtOn, one Of New York's for
@er aristocrats, when refinement stood
wi what Is now represented by mil
aohs, but who was sufficiently well to
70 to maintain her position among the
Sded aristocracy.
=, Af. Tuckerton found a gathering at
ans Worthington's of New York's So
Ai representatives. On coming down
from the robinG room he met Van
Aieek' who was Z sort of go-between
.Oonecting Mr1 Worthington and the
roney autocrats Of New York. Van
Aieek and the Englishman went to-
.e'uer =, to the hostess to salute her
ue lady received Mr.. Van Kleek with
'amiliar nod, but greeted Tuckerton
she would any other guest.
inere are many persons In fashion
- new York society who have pass
~ through an experience of social
uoLhg that has given them full
apiteiatlon n of the position to which
nave attained. This class is nat
lN Jealous of any one attaining
knE mat which they themselves have
as zen at so much pains to secure. No
- at Mrs. Worthington's reception
Mr.. Tuckerton or that he was an
NJ msnsnman who did not intend to
his home in America. They