Telegram-herald., 1890-10-07
HE aPOLOGlZED.
An Episode In the Eurerean Tour OF an
American Gentleman.


American Gentlemsn.
Col. James Pepper. Of Pepper whisky
fame. VIII has been on wedding tour
in Europe, has sailed with Lis wife on
the Servii for New York, followed by
the blessings of many American visitors
10 London who have stopped ct the Hotel
Metropole. The employees of enis estab-
lishment 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. 1t was reserved
for Col. Pepper, however, TO introduce
discipline.
Tie colonel and his wife came home
from the theatre one night. and Mrs.
Pepper ut once got into an elevator.
while her husband stepped up to the
deck for his key. The night clerk, par
ticularly hsughty and pompous person.
WAS talking to en- Englishman close TO
keyboard, but though Col Pepper asked
him three or four times for the key. the
clerk paid not the slightest attention un-
Ill he had finished his conversation.
Pepper took this calmly enough, but
when he got into the elevator the En-
glishman who had been talking to the
clerk said: II beg your pardon, sir, but
think YOU really ought 10 know why
that clerk was so inattentive. He said
to me, when you first asked for your
KEY, He's only an American; let him
wait"
The Colonels Kentucky blood sud
denly rose TO the boiling point. Ee
sprsng 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 10 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 off. !"
The terrified clerk hesitated but a
fraction Of second, and came down to
his knees on the marble floor
Nov" cried the hentuckian, "you
apologize to every American that ever
staid here for your damned impudence
10 the people that keep your hotel going
Repeat after me what | say: i apollo
gixe to all the Americans in London
Say it quick"
II apologize to all the Americans in
London, stammered the clerk.
For all my previous incivility.' con-
tinued the colonel sternly.
For all nv previous incivility," fal-
tered the victim.
And hereby solemnly promise 20
treat all Americans with respect and
consideration hereafter. Quick. say it, -
The menial 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 TO the ss-
sembsd multitude 1t is one picked
mp in q curiosity shop in Par.s for a
friend who has collection Of ancient
firearms" he said. "and it has not been
loaded for hundred years, aud the lock
Is rusted out"
Up 10 date the Metropole clerk has
kept bis vow 20 treat all Americans with
respect. and the reverence he n anifested
when Col Pepper wss about during TIE
remainder Of his stay was touching
New York Sun