Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-02-23
GIVE ME A LlGHTio
People Who Object to Doing So-yiews o
Harious Nationalities.

People Who Object to Doing So-yiews of
Various Municipalities.
''Will yer give me little fire, mister"
said tough from the Sixth ward to q
reporter who stood on the front platform
of Court street car the other day. The
light was given, and, with Tanks, !"
the tough began pouring from his mouth
a volume of smoke from five cent cigar
which was simply sitting. A well dressed
man stood at the reporters side, and, as
the fumes from the tough's cigar reached
him, remarked:
''It's pretty hard to have to give light
for such cause. Do you know, I'm in
the tobacco business myself. l am not
in the retail business. am an importer.
Naturally / smoke and as naturally l
sruoke good cigars, but do not smoke in
public. Why7 Well, for the simple rea-
son that do not wish to be compelled to
give light to any Tom, Dick or Harry
that comes along. You know many
men, and / am one of them, like to
smoke cigar so as to 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 con-
sidered boor if he does not cheerfully
give light when asked for one. This is
the custom in all countries. For in
stance, in Spain, and this manner of Civ
ing light is copied both by the French
and Italian, when man is asked for
light he bows most gracefully and, as if
anxious to do the other favor, presents
his cigar, holding out the lighted end
at slight angle between the thumb
and second finger. The other receives
the cigar, and after getting the needed
light from it, returns it with even a more
graceful bow than that bestowed upon
himself. Each then raises his hat and
turns to 60 away. The Spaniard in
variaDly 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 him in that opin-
ion%'
mo, can't say that do, although 1
acknowledge that the sensation produced
upon the delicate nerves of the nose is
exquisite. l 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
soon become deadened or at least par
TALLY So"
what nationality is the most reluc-
tant in giving light2"
'The average Englishman, 1 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
even for a moment. Next he hands it to
you begrudgingly and acts as If he had
achieved a mighty feat in condescension.
Instead Of lifting his hat he 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 light if you can
help 1t. Tho German asks for a light
more politely than he gives one. No
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 ON end he will throw it 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 1t as his own especial
property and does not like to be inter
fered with in its possession. Nor is this
30 strange when you think of the mixed
classes of people in this country who
think because all are on legal equality
every one has right to do as he likes.
1t is rather surprising that the man to
whom you just gave light thanked you
at all. Usually, one Of his class thinks
he has a right to your cigar. Recently /
have noticed that Americans are apt to
offer q match when light is asked for.
On the whole, think this is the better
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. "-"M."
in Brooklyn Eagle.