Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1891-07-11
Mr.. ARMoUR,s FIRST cOAcAMAN.

What Happened when He Gave Him In
structtoas to Order Outdt-
Il heard a story about p. d. Armour
the other day." said a board of trade
man. 1T was regarding an incident
that occurred some years ago. 1t was
about the time that gorgeous turnouts
had just purchased costly carriage
and a pair of high steppers to draw it.
1T was the caper then-and is now,
for that niatter-to have a real i'm
ported eoaRhnan. To sit behind a
coachee who had driven a duchess
carriage was the wild ambition of South
Sidedom- Well, Mr.. Armour was right
an Englishman who was strictly proper
as to side whiskers and legs, and who
had been employed in the hold kentry'
by the Duke of Seven Dials or some
equally important parsonage.
''Of course the new man had not
brought his masters livery with him,
and his wardrobe when he took pos
session of the Armour relns was not
particularly smart" In fact, it was
shabby. When the great pork packer
ended his first drive behind the i'm
ported coachman he looked at the lat
ter with an expression almost akin to
contempt and called him to approach.
Haven't you any better clothes
than thesef he inquired
eli ave not, your honor. Wen
Hi was at 'oIne Hi wore is grace's liv-
hand I In ,ox ~ ho<
with me; hand. inf your honor pleases
begin your honor's parding-Hi
thought your honor would find me in
your honor's livery
:" 4 haven't got livery-how could I
find you in it2'
Begin your honor's parding again,
Hi would be 'appy hif your honor
would give me livery said the coach
man.
=" Il don't care whether it's livery or
not, but you must dress decently. You
can't drive my carriage in toys like you
have on now Here continued Mr..
Armour, go down to this place and tell
that man to make you whatever clothes
may be necessary and he gave him
the address of Matthew'S the fashion
able tailor.
"a week or so later bill from Mat
thews came to the office The clerks
read it and whistled softly. and passed
1t from one to another to admire. That
EnglishInan had played the old mans
carte blanche to the limit There was
box coat that was charged at $50. A
top coat for $40. A livery suit for
$S5. And there were gloves and
breeches and waistcoats and more 'liv
cry till the bill footed up about $500.
1.-The old rnau had not yet come to
the Office, and the boys specuIated as
to what he would say and do when he
saw that bill. All agreed that it would
be something out of the common And
it was, but not as we expected it. The
old man was younger and more vehe
ment then than he is now, and when
necessary he could inject a great deal
many a clerk in the office knew
1.-The bill, with Others. was laid on
his desk, and when he came in the boys
stood around in silence and expect
ancy waiting the explosion The old
man finally reached Matthews bill
He kind of started at first sight of the
figures, but then an amused expression
and later a broad smile came on his
face.
Come here. Favorite, come here,
Webster, said he. calling to him his
two chief heutenants and holding up
the bill for their inspection When
they had inspected the bill a moment
in silence the old man laughed till his
sides shook, and said, with an air of
satisfaction. That's the kind of a coach
man to have; he knows his business"
Chicago Times.