Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-12
THE SOUTHERN COLONEL


Etiquette and Local Hospitality.
Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK. Sept. 24-SeverA weeks ago
inclination and bed-and-buiet car on tee
coast line railway took Gotham journalist
to one Of the most attractive OF the not very
numerous Atlantic seaboard cities which
erect their temple spires and Uinarets be-
tween Hampton Roads and the insalubrious
Florida Keys, He had been corresponding
for long while with : well known newsla-
per proprietor il that section OF our diyersi-
fed country, but had never net his talented,
genial, esteemed and prosperous southern
contemporary face to face. So he called
upoa hin. without ceremony, aud found the
latch string hanging out.
When this visit was made, Col Rodgers
(which, by the by, isn't It's namel was pro-
fuse in hand shaking and kindly words OF
welcome The New York man could plainly
see, however, that he had dropped in upon
the right friend at the wrong moment. It
was, in fact, the colonefs busy day, which,
| as regular thing, comes TO him about six
times every week. Yet there was much 10
be talked os and over; notes TO be compared,
affairs of common interest TO be discussed
and comrnodious, finely appointed publish
ing house to be inspected by the New Yorker
He tried hard to beg off, but the hospitable
colonel SAID:
"You came almost thousand miles to see
me, major, and found me up to my ears in
business It's always this way down here
However, I'll find time enough to treat you
as 4 gentleman should be treated. There is
committee waiting on me, inside pointing
to his private Office, a couple Of dozen let
tiers to write or dictate. and big advertis-
ing contract to be revised; but can give
you half an hour, anyhowl Come up stairs.
I'll show you our plant, and we can chat as
we go along"
So ninbly mounting steam elevator they
went to the roof of a lofty building, and for
five minutes gazed, north, east, south and
west, at the really picturesque municipal
length, breadth and boundaries; at the
suburban landscapes and the tortuous sun
rejecting river sweep, with the cleaning,
billowy ocean beyond Then, floor by floor,
they descended until the outer portal was
again reached and hearty mutual parting
grasp INDUCED in
1t was while they were slowly coming
down stairs that boy employed in the office
stepped close to the colonelis elbow and
quietly said:
They are waiting for you, sir, to make a
quorum"
YES, yes" replied the urbane and method
icaI colonel, iii be with 'em directly. Tell
'ern to wait for me-ten ninrtes.n
Another department was shown TO the
New Yorker, and again came a messenger
~ rn-,7rra c1ir,-- Trio n
Heep style OF desk clerk, who spoke with
bated breath and crInging humbleness. His
superior looked at him exactly as he would
at a cylinder roll of ordinary blank paper.
''fll be therein fifteen minutes, Mr.
Crookspine. They must be patient
He dismissed the cat treading clerk with
an authoritative wave.f his hand and turned
into another room Tie New Yorker, fol-
lowing him, felt somewhat couplimented,
but wisely kept his own thoughts unclothed
Of words. Finally, the entire upper part Of
the publishing house had been explored A
visit WIS then made to the cellar, where a
rapid, web perfecting power press and other
improved mechanical devices came IN for a
share of admiration. As they were on the
stairs leading from the basement to the first
floor, one Of the committee men rushed TO the
top sep and larCIy exclaimed:
Colonel, we've been waiting twice the
time you sent word TO Us. What in the
world keeps you SO longF'
Hello, general, is that youl Howdyt"
said the nonchalaut colonel. Very sorry,
ny dear sir, but I can't be in two places at
once, you know. All, allow me TO have the
pIeasurel Gentlemen, you must become ac-
quainted. Major, this IS one OF our solid
men, Gen. JOB Wilson He Owls the larg-
est and best rice plantation on cur river,
and in fifty counties round is noted for his
easy, graceful aDd eourtly manners. There,
you needn't blush, general, for you know as
well cs l do that you are never II 100 much
of q hurry TO forget your native poli5eness.
Shake hands with ny newspaper friend,
Mai Il, Of New York, general Hes
royal good fellow and has right smart
reputation up north. About twice in quar-
ter Of century be comes to see NE. Then
devote myself 70 him Well, won't detain
you, general, from the committee. Tel EN-
In with 'eIn in short order. Say twenty
minutes, geaerall'
The general lad nervously-r,ther SPAS
modicauy the majors finger tips,
and then fed to report progress After
rnorencary chuckle. which shook his good
nstured anatomy. the colonel remarked. with
quaint, peculiar inpress-nsat, and in q dry,
crisp tone:
You see how Il Is, major. They must
wait or have no meeting, for Tn Chairman
OF that committee and have ell il business
in my head aud coat pocket Now, 1t would
never do for me to be reniss II entertaining
q real, live, flesh and blood New York editor
VITO honors ne with lis first visit after
twelve years Of mail and wire intimacy
Why, can see those othsr fellows and TAX
EN- deaf, dumb and cross eyed every hour
aay day, but let NE tel you, major, that
southern geniGsy, eCquette and hospitality
are sacred obligations which u-Hs be main
tanned IL ell the committees north Of old -J-
bee die Of neglect. On, yes; the boys viii
wait The general VIII make en- wa.t Ia
IS never in hurry sitter hes bad one Of ray
sleige hammer hiEA
Being duly convinced ot the practical atfl-
ity OF toe co,ooels system fer graduating
precious nouenes 70 the emphatic require
uents Of good breeding fvDe1ever stranger
was within bis gates the 4aohaEtsner bowed
his appreciation, took his iasvs and spered
TIA. volcanic committee e. Least fourteen
OF tie ultimate twenty minutes
CDIrlll DlNTV VlIE