Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-11-25
GIVE Me A llGHTr,,
People Who Object to Doing so-views Of
Various Nationalities.

Various Nstionalities-
''Will yer give me a little fire. misterg'
said a tough from the Sixth ward to a
reporter who stood on the front platform
of a Court street car the other day. The
light was given, and, with a Tanks"
the tough began pouring from his mouth
a volume Of smoke from a five cent cigar
which was simply sitting. A well dressed
man stood ut the reporters side, and, as
the fumes from the tough's cigar reached
him, remarked:
its pretty hard TO have to give a light
for such "A cause. Do you know, I'm in
the tobacco business myself. / am not
in the retail business. l am an importer.
Naturally | smoke and as naturally i
smoke good cigars, but ! do not smoke in
public. Why! Well, for the simple rea-
son that ! do not wish to be compelled to
give a light to any Tom, Dick OF Harry
that comes along. You know many
men. and | am one of them, like 10
smoke a cigar SO as 10 leave the ash
ON the end. Moreover, | am particu-
lar about my cigars. You can neither
preserve the ash or be particular if
YOU smoke in public, for a man is on
sidered a boor if he does not cheerfully
give a light when asked for one. This is
the custom in all countries. For in
stance, in Spain, and this manner Of CIV
ing a light Is copied both by the French
and Italian, when a man is asked for a
light he bows most gracefully and, as if
anxious TO do the other a favor, presents
his cigar, holding out the lighted end
at a slight angle between the thumb
and second finger. The other receives
the cigar, and after getting the needed
light from il, returns it with even 0
graceful bow than that bestowed upon
himself. Each then raises his hat and
turns to go away. The Spaniard in
varianly smokes through his nose. He
considers it wasteful to smoke through
his mouth, and inveterate smokers of all
countries agree with him."
DO you agree with hun in that opin-
iony'
mo, | can't say that ! do. although !
acknowl ledge that the sensation produced
upon the delicate nerves of the nose is
exquisite. / myself, however, am per-
fectly satisfied with smoking in the ordi-
nary way. suppose because ! am ac-
customed to it. The Spaniards may be
right, however, for any smoker must
have noticed that if he shuts his eyes and
smokes he cannot tell whether his cigar
is lighted or not. This, / think, shows
that the nerves Of the mouth and palate
o o become deadened or at least par
tally So"
What nationality is the most reluc-
tant in giving a lightf'
THE average Englishman, / think,
hates to do it. You just ask one for a
light and see. First he looks at you as if
wondering at your presumption. Then
he takes his cigar from his mouth and
looks at it as if hating to part with it
ever for a moment. Next he hands il to
you begrudgingly and acts as if he had
achieved a mighty feat in condescension.
Instead Of lifting his hat lie is more apt
to thrust his hands in his trousers pocket,
and as he receives it back he stalks off
with an air of indignation. Never ask
an Englishman for a Light if you can
help il. The German asks for a light
nor politely than he gives one. Nc
matter how urbanely willing he endea.
vors TO appear, there is an expression Of
reluctance on his face which is amusing.
Sometimes when his cigar is burned
nearly to an end he will throw il away
upon receiving it again. This act,
among the Latin races, is considered ex-
tremely boorish and has led to duels.
1.-The American is always averse to al
lowing any one to take a light from his
cigar. He regards it as his own especial
property and does not like to be inter-
fered with in its possession. Nor is this
SO strange when you think Of the mixed
classes Of people in this country who
think because all are on a legal equality
every one has a right to do as he likes.
IL is rather surprising that the man to
whom you just gave a light thanked you
at all. Usually, one Of his class thinks
he has a right t. your cigar. Recently ]
have noticed that Americans are apt &c
offer a match when a light is asked for.
On the whole, l think this is the betteI
way, although some ignorant persons
take umbrage at this. They suppose,
you know, that you object to their han.
ding your cigars. In the majority Of
cases their supposition is correct. IN"
in Brooklyn Eagle.