The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1895-02-07
ENGLISH HOSPITALITY.
The NeasEiness OF re 10 Apt to Surprise nm
American Guest.

Tho Hcassiness OF re 10 Apt to Surprise an
p American Guest.
There has been some dispute as 10
whether the English are as warm
hearted as Americans I am an Amer
lean, and think that Americans can {
be beaten in that line, but have seen
some little freaks Of hospitality over
here that eclipse anything in the way
of hospitality ever saw.
A,mar / had never met called at my
lodgings was out, but he lefta note
saving he was very anxious to meet
me To talk over matter Of business In
which we were both interested, and
that he was obliged to leave for Egypt
the next morning. did not wait for
him to call again, but went to his
house that afternoon. His butler met
me at the door in white skirt front
and evening dress and informed me
that the head of the house was out
He was so profuse with his regrets
that I half fancied he must be the
brother of my caller, but I dismissed
the thought. A mans brother never
leaves off his his or puts on an evening
dress before six o'clock. / stemmed the
tide of his cockney dialect and asked
him when Mr.. Walthrop would be in.
"E's hinvited some friends to dine
with i'm hat seven, sir" he replied,
.:hand ell be hin hall hevening." Then
he begged me to come in and have a
cup of tea. did not fancy taking tea
with q butler. was afraid the master
might come in suddenly and think
had sneaked in the back way, so re-
fused.
"perhaps might see him just mo-
ment during the evening" | said.
''Tell him shall call about nine thirty
o'clock"
"'E would be glad to ave you come
to dinner, sir, e would" said the
lackey. -
It is an awful humiliating thing to
blush before a man who opens cab
doors and has bowed the legs of him
self and his future generations by
drawing corks, but did. The truth
was, was not equal to the occasion
the compliment was the greatest l had
ever received. My pessimistic friend,
Iaddon, says the man thought l had
called to pay debt, and thought from
nv face that the account was shaky.
NO" ventured to say to the but
Ter after pause, simply tell him I'll
call for a minute at nine thirty
o'clock"
A sad, defeated look crossed his face.
Then he said, appealingly:
"Mr. Walthrop would be glad to aye
YOU come, sir; 'ewoull, hindeed."
''No, I'll be round at nine thirty
o'clock" repeated. 81 hope shall
not interfere with his engagement. l
would wait till some other day, but he
wants to see me before going away
''Thcn you will come to dinner" ne
said. as looked down the street for a
cab
said no again as firmly as could
with his great despa;ring orbs on me-
lie reluctantly opened The cab door for
me and sighed as he closed it. His 81
lencc was an eloquent tribute to Eng
lish hospitality.
But while the English are hospi-
table themselves they go about with
their noses in the air smelling for hos
pitality in other people, and when they
accept an invitation they dose with an
ideal conception Of hospitality before
them. For years after dinner they
will carefully recount the names OF
those who were present; tell the exact
orders in which they went down to the
table; itemize Whit was eaten and
drunk, and name their children after
their host. I have never known of an
Englishman having previous engage
mcnt or declining an invitation. II
you invite him anywhere he catches
his breath, pinches himself to see if he
is dreaming, trenbles VITA excitement
and then accepts with elaborate thanks
and dozens of awe-inspircd questions
about your plans. Atlanta Constitu-
ton.
EMRROjDERED CARRIERS.