The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-02-05
Kentucky Politeness.
u.;,.,; = NV york Tribune.

Gail Hamilton in New York Tribune
A young woman had occasion TO
va vel alone from Observation-Disclosures
her Te~wksbury branded upon her
brow, to Kentucky, whose civilization
we knew, and admit, issometimes too
blue with gunpowder. In perfect re-
pose of body and mind she reached
the borders OF Kentucky, where she
was for some hours to await the mr.
rival ola steamboat. The Kentuckian
| official invited her into his office, as
being more quiet and restful than any
other place open to her. Here she
wrote several letters before she
had leisure to observe that men
in a room below were talking
somewhat roughly and profanely, n
that the Kentuckian was becoming
manifestly uneasy. In Difference to
his feelings, she presently vert out for
a walk. Returning at the appointed
hour, she learned that low water had
detained the steamer, but the careful
and ingenious Kentuckian gathered up
all her packages and conducted her
on board another steamer, where she
would be comfortable, assuring her
that he would come for her as
soon as her boat should arrive.
True to this word, at the as
signed moment he appeared, resumed
her wraps and straps, accompanied
her to her steamer. engaged her state
room, sent her trunk on board, and
all without q hint from her that she
wanted any such attention, without
knowing who she was or where she
vas going-all and solely because she
was a woman and alone.
The point | make with all who la
ment the absence OF social order and
q cultivated class inthe United States
is this: A civilization which provides
an easy path for rank and strength,
and bullies weakness, isnot SO high as
u barbarism which recognizes only the
rank OF weakness and protects q
woman. The Frenchman stands at
the head OF polite society, and sees
nothing to be desired. The American
knows that in the minutin Of life he
may have much to learn. maintain
that it is far easier to teach the Amer
lean the use OF the napkin than to
teach the Frenchman respectforwom-
anhood; and that, therefore, to-day
the American is carer the kingdom OF
heaven, whose portals are courtesy,
than is the F~renchman.
Much-al indeed-depends upon
whether the Incidents related are
characteristic or merely sporadic. I
have known too many similar Incl
dents OF foreign happening to believe
that courtesy to uoman as woman is
q French trait. The Kentucky polite
ness | know to be not exceptional.
Corresponding attentions could be re-
ported by q procession OF unattended
female travellers. One of them, indeed,
a native kentuckian, eXclaims in her
enthusiasm: ''If you ever meet a Ken
tuckian who does not insiston blister
ing his feet III your service, and is not
absolutely wretchea If you do not
make Il servant OF him, remember he
is not genuine" Barring little exag-
geration OF expression, the underlying
h%elpfnlness is true in every State, from
the Oldest to the youngest, from the
finest to the toughest. There is notin
the whole country, from Castine to
Alaska, from the northernmost point
in Michigan to the southernmost point
IN Florida, a railroad conductor who
would any more think of extorting a
fee from q woman's embarrassment
than he would from the Count de
Chambord himself. all dead as he is
and fine old gentleman as he was.