Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-11-21
to go to Washington from Philadelphia than
it would take to 20 from New York
VALET RUNS BEFORE.

u NhI.GI bJNo
To be on the safe side Mr.. West sent his
valet on the steamer ahead Of him to exam
inc the country and the roads and find out
the shortest routes and meet him and report
upon his arrival. Ii happens that in his
connection with the d!plamstic service
abroad Mr.. West found it convenient to
have a valet who, while an Englishman, still
spoke French, and Mr.. Wills-for that is
the name the gentleman OF the bed-cham-
ber bears upon his stylish visiting card
aside from his natural gifv, by reason Of his
extensive travels and information is . very
agreeable and and interesting person.
When, therefore, small, natty individual,
with fresh face and mutton-chop whiskers,
fiat hat, square Shoes and an overcoat
reaching to his heels appeared on board
the government vessel, crowded with
senators and judges and colonies and
commodores and men with tremendous bank
accounts, all intent on meeting and
welcoming the diplomatist, there was u
futtcr on the quarter deck that extended
down into tho cabin where q duet was Ill
progress between cracking Jokes and popp..
ing corks, and every one said, who is he?'
A fortunate individual, who had previousl.
got wind OF him, and simply knew that he
was an Englishman, and Mr.. Vests auant
courier, quickly had him, by the arm and
WAS introducing him all around. Gen.
So. and-so, let me introduce yon TO my
particular friend. Mr. Wills, the now menis-
tors private secretary" Judge Such-and-
such, come here minute until | present
YOU to AIr. Wills the secretary OF the
legation and personal friend OF Mr.
Vest" Excuse me-Dr. Wills, allow me
to present to you the Hon. Mr.. Soand-so,
one Of our most distinguished citizens; the
doctor; Mr.. So-and-so, is in charge Of for
eign affairs at Washington until Mr.. Vest
arrives"
LOISlzING THE SERVANT.
This is about the way tho thing went on
Everybody wanted to be introduced, and
Mr.. Wills was the lion OF the hour. II
they could not have Mr.. West they could
at least have Mr.. Wills, who was the next
thing to him Several distinguished citi-
xens thought it disgrsceful that Mr.. Willis
should be subject to promiscuous intro
ductiOns, and by the exercise OF consldcra-
BILE diplomacy engineered him oil into the
after cabin. where they had him all to him
self and feted him 10 their hearts content.
He was unquestionably an entertaining
companion, and when afterwards with the
select private party going down the river
on the tug sitting in cosy little room 1t
was delightful to hear him telling about
Gortschakof's peculiarities, the character
OF the Vienna water, the condition of the
road to Moscow, the style of Eugene IN
her pamisst days, and a great deal
more such as travelled man would
observe or O lackev he able to retail alter
hearing it from other lips, But when tie
visiting party arrived on board the steam
ship manifest change came over Mr..
Wills. A reporter had already noticed
that Mr.. Wills had streered clear Of Mr..
Adam of tho British embassy at Wash
ington, and that Mr.. Adam who had con-
fidentially told the reporter that hi' god
mother was Lady North, took no more
notice of Mr.. Wills than he did Of tie
wooden tigurehcad on the Iug, "Oh, 'sa d
Mr.. Adam to questioncr, hes only Mr..
Vests valet, my dear fellow; that is all.