The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-10-10
An Englishman's Mistake.

The Continental papers are circu-
lating story of an Englishman and
his wife. who, not knowing a word of
German, but being able to express
themselves we'll in French, resolved to
visit Berlin and Dresden. At Berlin
they had been recommended to hotel,
whittier they were riding in a hack,
when all at once the lady espied an i'm
posing edifce, upon which were in
scribed, in large letters, the words "Ho-
tel Radzievill."
She cried out "There is beautiful
hotel, and the situation is splendid"
"Suppose we go there? 7" suggested the
husband.
II was done as soon as said. The dri-
yer was stopped. There were several
ladies about the hotel, but none OF them
spoke either English or French. How
ever, the servants were made to under
stand by gestures that they were to
take in the luggage, and the travellers
were tremendously conducted into an
apartment.
The lady asked by signs for q Sleep
ing-room, to which she was led, and, on
her return, said to her husband:
l. u6NeE saw Ill oil iiiO hOOcl 81
admirably furnished. Come and see
the chamber and sleeping-room."
Having dressed, our English folk
lunched, and announced to the servant
that they would dine at five.
They went to walk. On their return
gentleman of distinguished appear
ance entered their room, saluted them,
and said something in German, which
they did not understand.
The Englishman, thinking him little
familiar, replied carelessly, in English
"Good-morning. How do you do :"
And the stranger withdrew.
A delicious dinner was served.
When the servants had gone, "My
DEAR" said the gentleman to his wife,
call this is excellent. This hotel is evil
IDENTIFY first class. But it must be very
dear, and, as matter of prudence, it
will be well to ask for the bill to-mor-
row morning"
But he neglected to do so, and two
days more passed like the first.
At last the bill was asked for, but it
was not brought.
"I am beginning to be a little uneasy,
my DEAR" said the husband. "Surely
no one could be better cared for than we
are here, but am persuaded the
charges will be frightful."
At that moment the gentleman of
distinguished appearance entered, and
the following dialogue took place in
French:
The stranger: 81 am Prince Radzie-
Will"
The Englishman (rising and bringing
a chair; "To what may 1 attribute
the honor of this visitP"
The prince: "You have evidently
taken this house for public hotel -.
The Englishman: Certainly"
The prince: "Well, this is my pri-
vate house, my hotel"
The Englishman was so astounded
that he could make no reply, and could
not explain the mistake of his wife,
who, in the greatest CONSERVATION, began
to tell the prince, in English, that the
word "hotel" over the door had caused
her error.
The prince, who saw their confusion,
politely expressed his satisfaction at
having given hospitality to English
people, and begged them to remain a
few days longer that he might enjoy
their society. Of course, the Invitation
was politely declined. The Englishman
succeeded in making the servants ac-
cept a few presents, and the prince in
sisted upon accompanying them to a
real hotel in his own carriage. Prince
Radzievill is the Russian ambassador at
Berlin.