Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-03-31
IoNE or 1I4z MeN rAAr SUCCEED.
Experiences Ct = Hotel Proprietor who
Arfod a. Ciorh ana vTtifff.r Man

I ONE or Tlls MEN THAT SUCCEED.
Experience Ct y Hotel Proprietor who
Acted as Clerk and Unity Man.
''The ia ional City hotel was 10
Gated on tho California Southern,
branch cf The Santa Fe railroad, I"
said a story telling traveller yester-
day. About the time the building
was finished a large portion of the
road was destroyed by flood, ard the
hotel stand was of little present
value. But Mr.. Coffman, the pro
prietor, saw a future for it, and ac-
cepted an offer of a free lease of
three years, on condition that he
should furnish and keep it up. OF
course, he had to begin with light
expense, and this is where his varied
experience and working qualities
came in handy. He hired a cook
and a chambermaid, while he took
upon himself the duties of landlord,
porter and general utility man. !
must say he made it comfortable for
the few who came his way.
Zone day a small party of railroad
officials dropped in upon him, having
come to see how the repairs on the
road were getting on Landlord Coff-
man had to spread himself to per
form his many duties and at the
same time to maintain the proper
dignity in the presence of his guests
of high degree. The party came in
at night, tired and hungry, after
tramp along the washout. When
President Wilbur was conducted to
his room to retire he said to the
genial proprietor:
Z" 1 will leave my boots outside the
door for the porter.
Certainly replied Mr. Coffman,
growing a little nervous as he real
lied the responsibility of the porter.
"When all the guests had retired,
as he supposed, Mr.. Cof.nan started
up stairs with a newspaper in his
hand. AS he neared the spot where
President Wilbur's boots were, he
turned to see if the coast was clear,
and then made dive for the boots,
wrapped them in "a paper and made
a shoot for the baggage room. Here
he felt safe from the gaze of every
body, and began shining those boots
in way that indicated experience in
the business. But in leisurely mid
night walk Conductor Kaggey dis
covered him and at once took in the
situation. Coffman nearly tainted
the next day when Kaggey found
him behind the counter and said:
Say, that was a pretty good
shine you put on the presidents boots
last night
"Coffman saw he was in for it and
set out the cigars, pleading with the
conductor to say nothing Again
and again the conductor returned
and collected interest ON what he
knew and occasionally would ring in
a friend ON the set up, and would set
tie the bill by the remark, That's on
me-
"As time went ON Coffman came
to regard the secret as safe. The
road was finished and the hotel flour
ished as leading summer resort. A
year later party of officials, includ
ing President Wilbur, Superintend
ent j. M. Victor and Treasurer Frank
H. Pattie, came through in a private
car on an inspecting tour. They in
vited the landlord to take run with
them. AS they sat at luncheon that
day the president brought the blood
to Coffman's cheeks
" That shine you put on my boots
was the best ! ever had-it lasted a
week.
after the first burst of merriment
Wilbur continued, And, you will re-
member, / left a dollar for the porter
when | departed.
"'Yes, replied Coffman, who by
this time had got his breath, and
the porter got it.
" Never mind, Coffman, said VIII
bur; that convinced me that you
were all right, and there's not a
house on the Santa Fe read that you
can't have. indianapolis Journal