Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-02-11
IN MODERN BABYLON,
How tho Mercenary Spirit Of the Cock
ney Exhibits itself on Every Occasion.

The passion of money getting in
America is often spoken of by the
English as one of the serious blights
that disfigure our national character.
This -than-thou attitude is
rather amusing in people that suf,
fer from a greed that obtrudes itself
extensively at every turn of the street
The whole system of life in London
is arranged so as to allow tradesmen,
caterers and servants to make 'ex.
ira" money above fixed charges. The
American Is surprised to find that he
often has to pay cents for a glass of
water at first-class table d'hote;
that, in addition to the advertised
price of the dinner, he is charged
cents for attendance; that the indis-
pensible demi-tasse of coffee is an eX
ira, and that there Is a charge for
checking ones overcoat. The charge
for theater programs that is still the
custom at most theaters is an evil
dence of the petty greed noticeable
in England. The tip system, more
over, which foreigners arc in the hab-
it of condemning when they visit
America, is more thoroughly devel-
oped here than anywhere else in the
world. Not only is a distinct price
placed upon attendance, but unless
a man throws shower of sixpences
all about him his servants ignore him
at once and are uncivil. One may pur-
chase the most perfect and gratifying
politeness from English menials, but
he cannot command it at the regular
price set down for attendance. The
crossing sweeper at the end of my
street will call me my lord and smile
like an unwashed angel upon me if
toss him an occasional penny, but he
gazes after my neighbor with look
that is nothing less than murderous,
and attempts to spatter his shoes when
he passes, merely because the worthy
gentleman refuses to buy his gooC
will.
The first balcony in D'Oyley Carte's
Royal English Opera House, where
Sullivan'S |Ivanhoe" has been recent
ly produced, rejoices in the title of
''royal tier" and the price for a seat
there is 1915 of American money.
The cheapest seats in the house, the
last three rows in the second balcony
are 81. so. 1t is astonishing how crowd
ed all the theaters of London are
considering the very high charge
made for seats. The usual charge fol-
desirable seats is $2.75 and yet there
is mot successful attraction in Lon
don at this moment where one may
purchase seats on the night of the
performance. 1t is necessary to buy
tickets fully two weeks ahead for the
Drury Lane pantomine, and such at
fractions as LA Cigale" at the Lyr-
ic, "Carmen Up to Date" at the
Gaiety, "The Gondoliers" at the Sa-
voy, "London Assurance" at the Cri-
terion and canton and Cleopatra" at
the Princess turn people away every
night. The principal music hall,
where prices range higher than in
the flrst-class American theaters, are
besieged in the same style, and the
wonder is how it is kept up by pub
lie that is said to labor for a small re.
muneration, and to regard a sovereign
with respect that is unknown tc
the reckless citizens of our own cities
l witnessed a rather remarkable in,
stance of the mercenary principle in
London recently. l was changing my
lodgings, after a stay of Seyera
months here, to more central loca,
tion in Piccadilly. L had a four
wheel cab, with several trunks or
top. While crossing Trafalgar square
miSerablelookin wretch of the
tramp type began running alonsidt
my cab, and made me rather uncom
Portable. After awhile he dropped
behind, but when l arrived at m,
lodgings, mile farther on, his re
pulsive face appeared at the window
and he opened the door of the cab
His strength was so thoroughly shat
tered by drink and bad livingIthat h
was of no use in helping to lift dow
my trunks, so gave him a sixpenc
and told him to be off. He locke
deprecatlngly at the coin, and said:
81 ran all the way from Waterlo
Station, sir"
"No you didn't" replied. "Yo
came from Trafalgar square, and
didn't invite you to come, either"
l could not free myself of the fe
low until l entered the house an
shut the door ON him. He had bee
sharp enough to notice that IN
trunks had steamer marks on then
and, judging from the direction wa
coming, had decided L was "a new al
rival by the way of Waterloo Station
two miles further back than Trafa
gar square, and had attempted to dt
ceive me into thinking he had ru
three miles instead of one. My cat
man smiled at the fellows impert
nence, and said:
'They're all alike here. A duk
would do the same thing if h
thought the tip would be big enough.
l was surprised at the cabman'
speech and looked up inqniringly a
him.
81 used to go to school in Ney
York, SIR" said he. 81 don't know
why, but my mother married an En-
/ glishman, and / was brought owe
here to live. / amt more than hal
cockncy yet.-Chicago Herald.
Bold and Fearless Horsewoman.
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