The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-04

midnight His steamer TRUNK anu
suitcase were only partially packed;
time was fleeing.
You may have observed a notice In
hotel rooms to this effect:
IF the guest desires the services OF
a valet to pack trunks suitcases or
(, otherwise give personal service, call
| for Valet"
Well. I had to give such an S. o. s.
call or surely miss the train.
The valet came promptly and he
was fine. told him to put this in the
trunk and that in the suitcase. also
had a shawl strap around a bundle
of newspapers which 1 had not fully
read
"Where shall I put these shaving
! things?" said he, coming out of the
bathroom.
Thank you," said I, 81 would not
| like to have left those"
My little trunk and suitcase were
bullying out something like the suit
cases of two of my associate delegates
a few days later at the Philadelphia
| convention, but neither one of my
travelling appurtenances was stuffed
quite to the bursting point, altho they
were crowded and the valet had some
difficulty in getting the several por-
lions together.
After everything was strapped up the
valet went thru the chiffonier and
| found a couple of neckties, three or
four collars and handkerchief. 1t
was then after IL. There was no time
nor suitable place to take care of these
odds and ends so I stuffed them in the
pockets of a spring overcoat. The
valet, or porter, hustled my trunk and
other luggage down to the street,
called a taxi; everything was loaded
and we were Off. Thanks to the valet,
l caught that train by what is known
to the street as the skin of my
teeth"
Later this haste caused me some
grief and more money, when 1 reached
| washington to spend the day prior to
taking the evening train for Chicago
and Topeka.
Getting into Washington early in the
morning and realizing the confusion
and disordered condition of my things
SO hastily packed, I thought I must
needs take a room. The reader who
mas been in Washington lately knows
, that rooms at a hotel are scarce as
hens teeth" they are hard to get
and getting them comes high.
Registering at the Raleigh, at the
same time hearing the clerk refuse
rooms to others who came up to the
counter, I boldly asked him for a
| room. He looked at me in blank
amazement and said: I'VE have no
rooms. You probably heard me re-
1using these other gentlemen ahead
of you"
Eyes, heard you all right, but 1
need one until o'clock. 1 don't care
what kind Of q room it is so it has a.
washbowl in it and a writing desk"
The clerk referred the matter to
higher authority at his elbow. saying:
This gentleman just wants a room
thru the day and is leaving at S
| o'clock"
"Give him s16." said the chief room
clerk.
This proved to be a good room,
looking down Pennsylvania avenue
and over toward the Washington
| monument.
I repacked my things, did a little
writing and went up to the capitol,
listened to a lively debate a few min
utes and called on Senator Curtis,
as already detailed in a previous chap
ter.
That evening coming back to the
hotel I asked for the bill.
Five dollars" said the clerk.
isn't that a little steep?' said the
room and had not disturbed the bed.
| NO" was the reply. II am split
| ting with you on that room which Is
ordinarily S." The Raleigh got the
SIS. The Raleigh is mighty good
hotel. but the next time, two weeks
later. =! had my mail sent to the New
Willard.
! I thought I was thru with Wallets
but not so. This second incident was
at the Philadelphia Union League
club. Everybody was most kind
| there. There was a printed card in
the room to the effect that If the SER
was to be called over the phone; but
didn't call him. Still, when in my
room, he was knocking at the door
every hour or so. asking If he could
not be of some service to me. Fin
ally at midnight when about to take
a train for New York hurriedly, COM
ing from the ALLIED War Dinner" and
as usual with no time to spare. saw
I would have to get the aid of the
valet in packing. He came promptly
and was useful. Conversation ensued.
began it as follows:
II came very nearly calling on you
last night when I was getting ready
for the Taft dinner. I had an awful
lot of trouble getting dressed"
The rest Of my family generally
|
everything out nicely, fully equipped,
with the cuff-buttons, ETC., all in; be-
ing alone there was nothing in but
| myself.
| What was the trouble. and why
did you not call me?" said the cour-
teous colored boy. That's what I am
| here for?"
well, I finally got dressed, but 1t
was hard struggling. I couldn't get
those shirt studs in" They were large
pearl ones. 1 had seen such large
ones. I thought, on the fronts of var
ious gentlemen. and thought they were
all right. They were the kind that
fasten the front of the shirt together
and were both useful as well as or
namental.
why, those are your vest but
TONS" said the valet. II would have
had trouble myself in getting those
large buttons into your shirt BOSOM
The particular white vest which I put
| on that night had stationary buttons,