The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1896-04-17
THE DICTATOR AND THE YANKEE.
An Amusing Story of Guzman Blanco and
q Hustler From the North.

An amusing STORY OF THURMAN bianCO AuC
Hustler From the North.
A gentleman who went to Venezuela
some years ago to secure contract from
the government tells an interesting story
of his experiences with Guzman Blanco
who was then the autocrat of that coun.
try For three or four months he was
kept dangling around the Casa Amarillo
1.-THE yellow house), in which the presi-
dent resides, ard finally told Guzman
that he wanted final answer. Guzman
turned to him with some impotence
and said:
Come to my country house at Anti
mino at 6 O'Clock tomorrow morning
and we will close this matter up.
ON be on hand, your excellency, "
was the reply.
The next morning he was called at 4,
galloped out to Antimino, and was at
the dictator's residence before the clock
in the parish church struck 6. To his
surprise he found 90 or 30 people wait
ing to be received, and some of them
men of Importance, while the president
sat upon the porch slipping his coffee and
reading the morning paper 1t was con-
sidered dreadful breach of etiquette to
interrupt the great man when he was
reading, and there was ncS person in
the entire company who dared do it.
They simply stood around or sat by
where he could see them and awaited
his summons. But the Yankee marched
boldly up to the porch, and said, GOOD
morning, general.
Guzman Blanche looked up in sur
prise from his paper, but the Yankee,
knowing his temper and peculiarities,
did not wait for him to speak.
''In my country, general, he said,
sit is not the custom for people to get
up SO early, but it is also a point of
honor to meet an engagement promptly,
and you see L am here on time.
Have you had your coffee?" asked
Guzman.
Yes, sir; at the hotel few minutes
ago."
1T must have been miserable stuff.
You ought to taste mine. Iuse none but
what I grow on my own plantation, and
always carry it with me, no matter to
what part Of the world go, and ring
ing the bell he ordered cup of coffee
and a roll for his caller.
But the latter did not propose to
waste time, and Immediately said
"You did me the honor to say yester-
day that you would close up that mat
ter at our interview this morning, and |
/ have come prepared to do So -
II wish my people were as prompt |
as you. Our great fault as a nation is
procrastination. If we were as energetic
as your countrymen, Venezuela would
be a richer and more productive ma
tion," and with that they went into
business.
For an hour the details of the conces-
sion were discussed, and being agreed
upon the president dictated to his ste
nographer the terms of the contract.
Then turning to his guest he said:
My secretary will write this out, and
tomorrow we will sign it. -
II would prefer to have the document =
signed now," was the Yankees reply.
Is You' have just said that the fault Of
your people was procrastination, and I
that we avoid it this morning"
The secretary looked up in amaze
ment. He had seen men sent to the cal
aboose for less, and evidently expected
that the dictator would call police
man to take the Yankee in charge.
Guzman was little angry at first; but,
seeing that his guest was not abashed,
smiled and said:
"That is a neat way Of applying my
philosophy to your own interest. We
will wait until the document is written
and sign it here"
Handing a cigar to the Yankee, he lit
one himself and sat down for a chat
while the secretary was writing. In a
or two the dictator general of
police tapped at the door and said that
he wanted to see the president concern
ing matter that required his instant j
"You will have to wait until l am
through with this Yankee" was the
diotator's reply. "He is teaching me
the way they do business in the United
States. Chicago Record.