The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-10-09

An Episode in the European Tour of an
American Gentleman.

American Gentleman.
Col. James Pepper, of Pepper whisky
fame, who has been on q wedding tour
IN Europe, has sailed with his wife on
the Servia for New York, followed by
the blessings of many American visitors
to London who have stopped at the Hotel
Metropolis. The employees of this estab-
hshment have never been noted for
courtesy to American guests. and this
has been the case during the present sea-
son particularly. as the great influx of
transatlantic travellers has made the
hotels feel independent. Itwas reserved
for Col. Pepper, however, to introduce
discipline.
The colonel and his wife came home
from the theatre one night, and Mrs.
Pepper at once got into an elevator,
while her husband stepped up TO the
desk for his key. Tire night clerk, par
ticularly naughty and pompous person,
was talking 10 an Englishman close to q
keyboard. but though Col. Pepper asked
him three or four times for the key, the
clerk paid not the slightest attention IN
til he had finished his conversation.
Pepper took this calmly enough, but
when he got into the elevator the En-
glfshman who had been talking TO the
clerk said: Il beg your pardon. sir, but
l think you really ought TO know why
that clerk was so inattentive. He said
to me, when you first asked for your
key, Hes only an American; let him
watt"
The ColoneTs Kentucky blood sud
denly rose TO the boiling point. He
sprang from the elevator and whipped a
huge pistol from his pocket.
Come out from behind that desk, he
shouted to the clerk. Come quick;
come a-runnin'."
The clerk came, and he came running
likewise, perspiring with terror. His
face was ashen, and though he was try
ing to speak, his lips moved like the
jaws of an expiring trout, and no sound
came from them. Fifty people in the
great corridors rushed up TO see what
was the matter.
"Get down on your knees" cried Pep
per in an awful voice, relapsing into the
Kentucky vernacular. Get down on
your knees, or I'll shoot your years of. "
The terrified clerk heSitated but a
fraction Of "a second, and came down to
his knees on the marble floor.
"Now," cried the Kentuckian, "you
apologize TO every American that ever
staid here for your damned impudence
to the people that keep your hotel going.
Repeat after me what l say: L apollo
gize to all the Americans in London
Say it quick"
Il apologize to all the Americans in
London" stammered the clerk.
For all my previous incivility," con-
tinued the colonel sternly.
For all my previous incivility," fall
tered the victim.
'And hereby solemnly promise TO
treat all Americans with respect and
consideration hereafter. Quick, say it."
The mental obeyed, and Pepper then
allowed him to rise and retire behind
his desk, the humblest and most crest
fallen clerk in any hotel anywhere. Then
the colonel showed his pistol te the as
sembled multitude. 1T is one picked
up in a curiosity shop in Paris for
friend who has collection of ancient
firearms" he said, land it has not been
loaded for hundred years, and the lock
is rusted out"
Up to date the Metropole clerk has
kept his VOW to treat all Americans with
respect, and the reverence he manifested
when Col. Pepper was about during the
remainder Of his stay was touching
New York Sun.