The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-11-29
TAUGHT A LESSON.
How an English Lord Was Instructed (
PoliteneSs

Politeness.
Englishmen are said to stand in awe
of lords, and perhaps there is some
truth in the allegation. Still. it some
times has happened that a lord has
been TOO presumptuous. and the En-
glishman has forgotten his fear of the
mobile in his anger at the man.
Edmund Yates, the novelist and
editor, now man of wealth and in
fiuence in London, began life as a clerk
in the London post-office at ninety
pounds year. He was sent one day
by his chief, Sir Rowland Hill. to the
house of the Postmaster-General, to get
his signature to an important docu-
mons The Postmaster General at the
time was Lord Stanley, of Alderley, an
elderly man of rude manners and arbi-
trary disposition, much disliked by the
post-oiiice officials.
Armed with letter Of introduction
from Sir Rowland, the young clerk pre-
sented himself at the abode Of his lord
snip, whom he found III his library
standing before the FIRE. Yates on
entering made his best bow to the head
of the Post-office Department.
Lord Stanley neither returned the
salutation nor asked the young man to
be seated. So he remained standing
near the door, much surprised at his re- (
ception and not in the best temper.
.'What do you want?n asked his lord |
ship.
Il thought, 80 replied Mr. Yates, that
Sir Rowland Hill had explained it in his
letter. 1t is necessary that your lord
ships signature" -
Here the great man broke in with:
Yes, yes, know all about that | have
signed the thing. 1t is here somewhere"
= rummaging in leather post-office
bag. Il can't find it, but know I've
signed it. Look here, have you got .
cab outsider
yes, my lord"
Then take these pouches back to the
Office. You'll find it when YOU get
there"
Upon this the young man, who had
been much pe,tad in the post-oflice and
in society, both on his own and his par
entS' account, quite lost his temper.
WHAT he cried, do You expect me
TO carry those bags to the cab9 If you
want that done ring the bell and tell
your servant to do it. / am not your
servant, and | won't carry bags for you
or any man in Londonr'
rs lordship seemed petriied. Never
theless he rang the bell
what IS your name, sir?" asked
Lord Stanley.
MY name is Yates, my lord" H.
4 don't like your manner, sir
And don't like yours, my lordI
came here properly introduced by the
Secretary. | made you 4 salutation I
which YOU had not the politeness to re
turn. You have never asked me to take
a seat.
Wasn't l standing myself?''
'-THat is no affair of mine. Your t
as a gentleman was to ask na y
40 your servant 5 wo1K.
H5le the servant entered. and his
master told him to carry the bags to the
cab. The clerk was following him,
when Lord Stanley said: You shall !
hear more Of this, sir 50 !
Whenever You please, my lord, r
shall be quite ready" :
Yates returned to the post-office, still !
trembling with the excitement Of the
scene. Sir Rowland Hill was very SYM
pathetic and reassuring. When he had {
heard the story, he laid his hand on the I
clerk 5 shoulder in fatherly way, and :
said: ,.
I'm very sorry you've been exposed l
to this, Yates; but You mustn't mind. l
He's a rude fellow. Don't You be |
afraid Of his threats. I will take care
Of that, and he viii think better Of what
he has said when he's little cooler.
Depend upon it, You'll hear no more Of
it. +
ySir Rowland was right. Nothing was :
heard from the Postmaster General, and :
he report ran over the office that the
next tine a messenger was sent to Lord I
SANKEY'S house, his lordship shook ]
hands with him warmly and asked him /
o stop 10 luncheon, TouH's ComBan- i,
on