Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-02-11
HAD BEEN TO EUROPE.
An Anglo American, Who Had Been
Abroad but Couldn't Tell What He
Had Seen.

"A llght-haired young man with an
lnolplent mustache. red necktie, tight
httlng KID gloves. carrying big cane
amldshlpS, and his arms akimbo walked
into Randolph street barber-shop last
evening. He was evidently we'll
known in the shop. for he was greeted
by name and spoke Familiarity to
several of the BARRIERS.
so tired. YOU know" he said. as he
dropped lauguidiy into chair with
out removing his gloves. just got
back from Europe. and am really
worn out with Sightseeing" The tone
was one of invitation 10 open con-
yersation.
Il suppose you took in everything
on your trip" one of the BARRIERS, who
left it incumbent to reply, finally vent
ured.
''Ya-as; saw all there was to be seen.
Of course it's awfully nice, you know:
but one gets tired of seeing so much"
Were YOU in Strasburg, Mr.. -"
inquired the artist of the next chair.
Nav, didn't get there, was in a
hurry, you know" drawled the Euro
pean traveller.
You were in Metz, weren't your"
Nav; really | couldn't stop"
''Oh, you missed it by not going"
and the barber ratified on about the
big clock. the Napoleonic monument,
the battle scene and other points of in-
terest to be seen in that section. He
mentioned a dozen other places in
France and Germany
''Yaas, | was in Berlin" the shaved
customer interrupted at mention of
that place. The barber pronounced
it with the accent on the last SYLLABLE;
the customer called it "Berleen." A
series of questions about that great
city developed that Mr.. - knew
nothing of its points of interest.
Il was in Lunnon, too" Interrupted
the sightseeing customer. Great
town, Lunnon. you know"
Another series of interrogations
about 'Lunnon" resulted in as little
information in return. BY this time
every other customer in the shop was
smiling, pleased at the situation.
Something of the state of affairs must
have dawned upon the traveller. for he
said with weak attempt at satire:
You must have travelled a good
deal. too. BARRIERS can get a chance
to see everything, you know. Don't
have to hurry. Work as they go
along"
Yes. l expect to 90 again next
year" replied the secoud-chair artist,
unconscious of the intended thrust. Il
propose to take my time, work enough
to pay incidental expenses. and put
in my extra time in seeing the coun-
tries"
Think I'll not go home tonight"
the traveller said. desiring to change
the subject and not having wit enough
to do so in any other way. Must 90
out on Ashland avenue. Got regular
evenings. you know. He, he. he"
And with a knowing look the fellow
paid his check. tipped the barber who
shaved him and the attendant who
handed him his hat grasped his big
cane by its middle and left
''What asses my felloW-countrymen
can be, g." said cynical customer as he
stepped from his chair.
He's not an American, said an old
gentleman at the end of the line, with
some asperity. He's an Anglo
maniac. Just like hundreds of others
who visit the continent-thev never
see a thing. But then they've been
to Europen Bah. they make me tired!"
1t was little incident, but there is
whole chapter in MANY little incidents.
- ChjcNQO JO1IT10L