The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-03
SOME BIG CLOTHING BILLS
WHAT IT COSTS A SWELL TO HAVE
LONDON TAILOR.

- tOOQ MANY Oh Ldclu rOTBeb TO ray
Their Bills-Heavy Judgments That
Have Not Been Collected.
New YORK, Dec. lone can undoubt-
eddy dress well in London at a
lower cost than in New York, but
swell clothing means swollen prices all over
the world. The following bill against Mr..
Berry W all, procured from the American
attorneys of a London tradesman, is GER
tainly not remarkable on account Of low
prices:
Two pair Of leather top boots. .... "a lis. cd.
To engraving name on set of hollow
long bootees. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS is. Cd.
To blue doeskin riding trousers. ........e IS 3s,
Young Mr.. Appleton, who, by the way.
is a son of the well-known publisher, is
billed by another tradesmsn for two dozen
silk scarfs at los. 10d., aud for n dozen cam
brio handkerchiefs with monogram is. 10d.
No young swell could keep his imitation
without going to London for his clothes.
But many of them forget that the tailor is
worthy of his hire and they return to
America withouta receipted bill, And this
is largely the fault of the tailor's business
methods. Your London tradesman would
regard with suspicion and awe man who
offered to pay cash for his clothing But
he would reject your patronage unless you
were properly Introduced. The American
swell has an honest intention to pay for his
clothes when he buys them, but by the time
the bill is presented he is short of money.
Such was the case with Dick Peters, a
very deah boy and the crown prince under
Berry Wall, who was arrested the other
day at Newport in the very act of changing
his clothing for the sixth time.
Mr.. Peters was naturally ingreat distress.
He begged the Sheriff to let him go, but
that was out of the question, unless the bill
which had been standing on the books of q
noted London tailor for several years, was
paid, together with the expenses of collec-
ton, Mr.. Peters did not have the money
handy, but he sent messengers around to
some Of his friends and finally secured Mr..
Louis Lorillard as his bondsman.
When the news of MIR. Peters misfortune
got abroad among the swels and clubmen,
there was an indication of general desire
large contingent had cut short their
stay, and were on their way
out of Rhode Island. The imminent dan
ger of arrest had overcome the attraction
offered by the fair hostesses Of Newport So
ciety.
1t is a matter of wonder that the swell
and club man, unless he has also plenty of
money, dares to go to Newport at all. The
law as to the collection of debts is such in
Rhode Island as TO make it possible for any
creditors to put the haugntiest Of the 400
into durance vile unless he pays up. In
New York the creditor must bring suit first
and find the debtor afterward. In Rhode
Island he arrests the debtor and then sues
him.
The allurements of Newport to the society
swell, who must be amused and have his
tastes gratifed at the expense Of somebody,
are usually great enough to overcome his
fear of the law. He takes care not to advertise
his presence IN the homes of his creditors
and trusts TO luck. But the creditors have
awakened to his game, and every year scores
of clubmen and swells are taken into custody.
The result is that, unless the debtors law in
Newport is changed, its pre-eminence as a
society resort will be lost.
1t came to me some time ago that the
amount of swindlng done by swell Ameri-
cans in Europe was running the reputation
of all American tourists and, that unless
these frauds were openly repudiated by the
people, the name American would degeuer-
ate into a term of reproach in the minds of
honest European tradesmen. | considered
the matter well worth investigating, and
opened correspondence with some promi-
nent English solicitors. A few days ago
received from them a detailed account of
the bills contracted by Americans with
reputable f gil b tradesmen, together with
copies of the proceedings begun for their
collection.
AS many of these had been continued in
this country, it was an easy matter to verify
them. had long talk also with the head
of the collection department in Sheriff
Grants office, and learned further interest
ing details. From these various sources
am able to make known the following Gu
rious facts:
The young swell Of to-day considers his
education neglected unless he can acquaint
himself, by personal inspection, with the
fall life of European society, especially that
of England. His papa and mamma assent
ing, he starts on his tour at an early age.
His pockets are full of money, CT its equiv
alent, aud the world is before him. II he
is a real swell, one who will later develop
into rounder, and not a mere everyday
American whose society training has led
him to assume the title of SWELL he will
grow ashamed of his clothes as soon as he
sets foot on English soil. Having presented
his letters of introduction, he intimates to
one of his new friends that he would like to
visit first class English tailor.
All American swells, from Berry Wall
down, patronize the house OF Poole e. Co.,
which has lions and unicorns and other
creatures enough on its letter heads to start
any number of small fry concerns in the
heraldry business. The youthful American
is introduced TO this company and orders a
dozen or more suits of clothes of the finest
material, lined with silks and satins. He
offers to pay for these, but his English
friend stops him. 1t is not the custom to
pay cash at Poole & Co.'s In fact, it is some
thing quite unheard Of. Poole & Co. won't
sell at all to any person not properly intro
duced to them, and such introduction is
sufficient guarantee for payment The
purchaser does not ever receive bill before
six months have elapsed.
He may also fit himself out with linen,
and even boots and shoes at this store, or he
may seek out the leading firms in those par
ticular lines and give his orders there. Beal
&c Inman as hnberdashers, and Peal e. Co.
as bootmakers, have the same
rank as Poole & Co., and
do business in the same fashion. All
three supply the Prince of Wales, the dukes
and the lesser mobiles Of England.
The intention Of the swell on his first trip
is undoubtedly to pay honestly. Six months
having elapsed, a bill is sent TO his London
lodgings. He is no longer there, nor is his
address known. He may be at Paris learn
ing the refinements Of "A fast life, or he may
be bucking the tiger at Monaco. At the
end Of year no tidings have reached the
the bills are forwarded TO the
American lawyers who represent them. for
collection. By this time the young swell is
no longer SO anxious to settle. His expenses
have been heavy and he has overdrawn his
account, especially IL his gambling ventures
have been unfortunate, as they usually are.
The experience Of the American collectors
a