Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1896-03-21
THE DICTATOR .ANu lie YAstKeE.
an Amusing Story OF Gu5,nan Blsnco and
n Hustler From the North.

THE DICTATOR AND 1iiG YAAKEE.
AN Amusing Story OF Guz,nan Blanco and
n Hustler From the North.
A gentleman who went to Venezuela
some years ago to secure q contract from
the government tells an interesting story
of his experiences with Guzman Blanco,
who was then tho autocrat of that coun-
try. For three or four months he was
kept dangling around the Casa Amarillo
(tho yellow house,, in which the presi-
dent resides, and finally told Guzman
that ho wanted final answer. Guzman
turned to him with some impotence
and said:
Come to my country house at Anti
mino at O'Clock tomorrow morning
and we will close this matter up
LII be on hand, your excellency, "
was the reply.
The next morning he was called at 4,
galloped ont to Antimino, and was at
the dictator's residence before tho clock
in the parish church struck 6. To his
surprise no found 20 or so people wait
ing TO be received, and some of them
men of Importance, while the president
sat upon the perch slipping his coffee and
reading the morning paper It was con-
sidered Il dreadful breach of etiquette to
Interrupt the great man when he was
reading, and there was not person III
the entire company who dared do 1T.
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. "
GuZmau Blanche looked up III sur
prise from his paper, but the Yankee,
knowing his temper and peculiarities,
did not wait for him to speak.
lin my country. general, F" he said,
cit 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 sec an here Gu time. "
''Haye you had your ccfee?' asked
Gu2man.
Yes, sir; at tho hotel a few minutes
ago"
lit must have been miserable stuff.
You ought to taste mine. Iuse none but
what I grow on my own plantation, and
always carry il with me, no matter to
what part of the world so, and ring
ing tho bell he ordered Z cup of coffee
and u roll for his caller.
But the latter did not propose to
waste time, and Immediately said:
"You did me tho honor to say yestcr-
day that you would close up that mat
ter at orr interview this morning, and
have come prepared TO do SO. y
II wish my people were as prompt
as you. Our great fault MS nation IS
procras,ina;ion. II we were rs energetic
as your countrymen. Venezuela would
be richer and more productive ma
ton" AID with that they Went into
business.
For al hour the details Of the conces-
sion were discussed, and boing agreed
upon the president dictated TO his ste
nograpner the terlus Of the contract
Then turning TO lis guest he said:
Ny secretary 7;ill write this out, and
tomorrow We VIII sign it. -
"Iwould prefer to have the document
signed now, WAS the Yankees reply.
'FYou have just said that the fault of
your people was prccrastination, and l
propose that We avoid it this morning. "
The secretary looked up in amaze
ment. Eo had seen men sent to the cal
aboose for less, and evidently expected
that the dictator wo1id call a police
man TO take the Yankee in charge
Guzman was IL little angry at first; but,
seeing that his guest was Lot abashed,
smiled a..d said:
"Thas IS & reat way Of applying my
philosophy 10 your own interest. We
will wair lltil the document is written
and sign it here.
Handing { cigar TO the Yankee, he lit
ono himself and sat down for 4 chat
Wills tho secretary was writing. In u
moment or two the dictator general Of
police tapped at the door and said that
he wanted to zee the president concern
ing a matter that required his instant
attention.
"You viii have to wait until I am
through with this Yankee" was the
dictator's reply. Gle is teaching he
the way they do business in the United
States. "-Ch;cago Record.