, 1874-12-12
A DEFENSE OF H0TEL.cLEaKs.

70 Tie Editor Of TIE Chicago Tribune:
Sir I have noticed Of 1ate many criticisms
upon and about hotcl-clorks. Allow nc. q prac-
tical man, aword, through your valuable paper,
iu behalf OF this much abused c!Asa Of hit
ma1,ity.
Tho clotk OF the aycrngo hotel is generally
conceded to know every travelling 1na.l, lncr-
chant, and station, within miles OF tho fmmc-
diate vicinity OF tue locality where ho discharges
Lis dutios also, tho arriving and starting time
OF overy train anl boat ho is supposed to bo
general directory, open to tho uso Of every guest
local aua transient must ut all timoa, be sffa-
Bile, genial. and pleasant, to each and every
guest, uuder any aud all circumstances.
In many Instances, men employed as hotel
clorGH have had tile advantage of an education
aboyo the ordinary level, baon accustomed to
associate in retlnod circles, and conduct tho1n-
solves with at loayt common etiquette; therc-
lore, aro prepared to judge thoir troatmons aud
guest. II tho clerk il naturally nlapted to his
position ho seldom, il ever, displeasos guest,
III 10 expects md il prepared to receive III in
suit or nl1r without notice or ratort.
unylAg had hevorGl years. xperence both as
a hotoI-clork aud commercial salesman, hive
found tAat tho travelling public il divided into
about Ayo casuos, and q thorough clork III al-
Why's able TO dIsctim!nato lelweau them at sight.
would rst mention tho gentleman Of wealth,
TINT is occasionally thrown upon tho hoBpitali-
ties OF u landlord. lilo enturA III an easy man.
ner, tegibtoln hia na1ne, aud ilis general cAr-
riaBe aaa department ttsetate hia wNnta. Ho in
attended to satisfactorily, sottlos Ills BILL and do
parts.
socondty is tho country-morelant. Perhaps
ho llaa stopped at tue 4oo! onco or twice before.
1lo naauneH dlgnitied air asks tho clerk when
poao j viii 10 likely 10 llud AIR. D. 1t home
NOW z" s'Whun Way Mr.. c. hero last 7" Aud
aAkH many otl.cr questions Of no noto all Of
which ho doea for effect, thinking thoreby he
mli maize tho impression Oh all around linn that
lie iB q Travelled nau aud IlaM of business.
Thirdly, tho boss traveller" or "EorBocntor
OH tile war-path," moro commonly known NJ thu
drummer. Ihls olass OF custom, IL mora oourted
by i,oto!a thnu any other; in nany instances
naer entors With. How aro You, old boy?" gives
4 hearty shake Of tho lln,d; nll1 adlH. "Can yo,
g!yo mo gooI room ?"-witl1 ally wink II his
tmo is llns!tod ho picks up his checks aGd IL Oft
to business no more ii goen Ut linn till eycta-
lux. Occasionally now man o,, the road conlcs
to paY for. .llo piuka tho bill OF faro
at tablo to find homo vegetable out Of Koason.
aud orera 1t with tlc ur OF lord and with such
dignity tl.at tho winter Ia affnid to approach him
Hlthous It, Whon shown to hiH room. 1t iH too
lish ',p; "Tlnt olork must l,aye tnleA mo for /.
1t tho otco, md another room III assigned him.
| As eoun M hlH luggage III carrlod mp, aud tho
| bei-luy il back to lia post tho bell hoI,inB to
r.l;. "Ef!ng nlo IL pitcllor Ut wator aud c!ean
| glaha." All IL qulot for sittcta minutes. whnn
tho holl ripgH agan. Glerk otpouts it: "1ring
ugafn for about twenty minutes, Thu be!t again.
train gong Wuht." lis is oallol In good tins tu
tho morning; gomez down aouT aud orusui uiBht-