The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-04

WIN ~tAASA O@N~NOf -
did not mind this. He knew
that it was one of the many
penalties of being born the
heir to a throne.
In 1919, at the end of his first
visit to Canada and at the very
beginning of his world travels, he
had won the heart of New York
and all America.
He had promised his friends
here that he would come again.
This 1924 visit of the Prince
was considerably different from
his first. Then he had crossed
down from Canada at Rouses'
Point, New York, and on the eve
ming of Nov. 10, 1919, for the first
time in his life put his foot on
American soil.
=. 1t was raining and the band of
1 the 63d United States Infantry
played God Save the King" and
company of soldiers snapped to
attention.
The eyes of the Prince swept
over the little crowd. At one end
of the platform stood IL of the
prettiest girls of Rouses' Point
holding aloft a canopy of Ameri-
can and British flags interviewer.
n
THE second that the official
l. welcome was ended and he
had inspected the guard OF honor,
the Prince walked toward the
girls.
"Wish we could dance with you,
Prince" one of the prettiest of
them boldly ventured.
Not in this rain" the Prince
answered with chuckle. But I'd
like to dance with each one of
you"
80 would we like to have you,"
they said in chorus, showing
out their hands. Laughing and
joking with them he shook their
hands.
Have a good time in America,
Prince they shouted at him.
Before the next 10 days were
over he was TO feel something of
the warm ano Sincere-if a bit
rough reaoy-welcome of an
American crowd. He was to be
shouted at and cheered and
bounced on with friendly but de-
termined curiosity.
i've been 'Prince'd' so much
that I'm afraid I'll start bark
ing" he remarked with chuckle
before he left New York.
That night of Nov. 10, 1919,
his train shot through the rain
and blackness toward Washing
ton.
VXTHEN he called at the White
w House, President Woodrow
Wilson, lying stricken and help
less in a great mahogany bed up
stairs, was too ill to see him. The
following day the Prince called
again.
After tea with Mrs. Wilson and
Miss Margaret Wilson and Mrs.
Sayre, the Prince alone was taken
up to the Presidents room. The
war President was propped up in
bed, a pathetic and touching fig
ure.
II am sorry that I could not
meet you downstairs" the old
warrior said slowly and hesitat-
ingly. The words fairly dragged
from his lips.
st am sorry, too, Mr. President, "
the younger man spoke with
deep feeling. ut is good to see
you again"
Mrs. Wilson helped out with the
trying conversation. There were
more words and then the Presi-
dent said with effort: your
grandfather slept in this bed in
this same room in 1860 when
James Buchanan was President.
President Lincoln used it, too"
Again the Prince took the white
hand and pressed it. Silently he
followed Mrs. Wilson from the
room of tragedy.
DUT there was nothing painful
ID or distressing about this sec
ond White House visit five years
later. After the quiet luncheon
with the Coolidges the little party
repaired to the Blue Room and
the members of the Cabinet and
their wives drifted in to meet the
Prince.
Promptly at he said good-by
and at 3:25 his special was speed
ing toward New York. That night
he was back at his Long Island
retreat, ready to have the time of
his life.
This second visit was unofficial
and he travelled as the Baron
Renfrew-playboy extraordinary
and gay ambassador without
portfolio. He had been listed an
ordinary passenger on the Beren-