The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-03-10
Cringing English L.ackeys.
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 Travellers from America arc always credited In London and olsewh where in England with the possession ot enor- nous wealth, The tales of our Nan- derbilts, Astors, MaekNys and others ot that ilk have converted all our peo- pie into millionaires in the estimation oT those who cater to their needs in England. Hence Americans are guinea cooks and hens. No penny advan- tsgcs for them. All Nmonstrance Is unavailing, The man who can pay and won't pay should be made to pay And he Is. He belongs ito the classes. and ho must conduct himself "as sich.'' He is practically an aristocrat.
 It Is the existence of the very at- mosphee of England of this subtle influence, which has been drawn In with the breaths ot the trading and serving people over since toudal days, which Is so incomprchcnsible to Americans, and makes them think they arc being outageously swindle,l on every hand. Americans cannot understand that the habit, almost uni versal with our people, of wearing costly clothing or calling for luxuries (unnsnal with Europeans except these of assured fortune), such as fires in bedrooms, unlimited gas and candles, great variety of food at every meal the bes; seats at the theatres, constant oabbing instead of walking, etc., causes them to be looked upon as rich aristocrats whose efforts to reduce OK. penses, and yet retain all the comforts, must sternly bc drowned down as un. worthy gentlemen or ladies,
 On tho other hand, If our people pay on the guinea scale without q murmur, they ara treated with the veritable exaggerated deterencc which the low English yield to their social super iors. Unfortunately, that ia tho one luxury--so so dear to the English "classes' themselves l--which our pco- pie. as rule. care nothing about. Sometimes this servility is offensive to Americans. remember once walk ing with countryman of ours who required ia shave" His wife and waited for him while he went Into fashionable hair-cutting establish ment. Very soon he came out again, still unshorn, and with an indignant look as well as an unkempt beard on his face. "Why, you're not shavcd," we exclaimed. "No," he returned !; "the barber was too much of lick. spittle. l told him he was too ob- sequious. couldn't stand It."
 The respectful habit of intcrlartling remarks with "sir" and madam" at every other word, so strongly insisted upon by the English classes when ad. dressed by the masses. goes for very little with Americans. And another frequent practice-t thnt of not offering change when the coin is not partIc. ularly large one, and passes from n well-to-do person to poor one ls often the subject of surprise with Americans, SO accustomed to the fair md square, upright and downright, gradgrlndish business methods prcva- lent with every body at homo.
 "I think they charge good deal for blacking boots In London" said young American boy of fifteen or SO 10 me recently, who had gone to the corner and patronized a red .shirtcd bootblack of the metropolitan brig ade.
 "Thc charge Is n penny, think" answered
 "Well, 1 gave him shilling and he never gave me back any change"
 1t was impossible for me 10 make my young friend understand that to the poor bootblack he, with his fine clothes, new hat, nice umbrella, gloves, etc, was nothing more nor less than "gentIeman"-perhaps "lord" who had, fora freak, doubtless, pre- vented one of his many valets from blacking his boots that morning, and had walked to the corner and, in sort of Iiaroun Al Rascbid mood, had actually put up his noble tootsicums and had his precious boots blacked by the poor Jo of the street, nDd then had tossed him shilling as A reward, But could not make my young American see the matter "in these lamps"
 "Oh, fudge" he exclaimed, "that's all very well, but why didn't he give me my changel Business is business"