The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-06
PROvERBiAL PHILOSOPHY
As Exemp,ifed in the Genial Customs of
West Virginia Hotel.

From the New York Sun.
"A burnt child breads the fire. "a
soused child breads water; once burn
ed, twice shy these are three proven
bal ways of saying that one finger is
enough to lose in leraning that buzz
saw may be moving, though it seems
to be standing still. There are more
ways than there are proverbs of eX-
employing the inherent truth of these
proverbs; and each way is interesting
if not Immediately. yet in the long run
and the run is not necessarily so long.
Down at H, w. Va" said the
man who knew about proverbs, there
is hotel. This is not strange to you;
but probably you haven't been in H.
/ have been there. BY way of digres-
sion. let me remark that in all these
small country towns of Virginia and
it's coparoener states, it is astonishing
how easy il is to arrive and
whatever hour you may have
arrived, you are certain to take the
train after midnight and before &
o'clock. This arrangement effectually
spells the night for sleeping purposes
or for amusement. But then, there is
no amusement.
ITO resume, | reach H at some
seasonable hour and put up at the ho-
tel. did what | had to do, and as | had
been up most Of the preceding night
turned in about 8 o'clock, leaving word
at the office to be called at l o'clock, as
the train left shortly before .
In time | was called, so l dressed
quickly. paid my bill, seized my bag,
and hurried to the depot about a
block away, Half along the block |
happened to look at the hotel, and saw
that every lamp in 1t was out, and the
house was as dark as pitch
AT the station l found policeman,
who seemed pleased to see me.
"'How soon is the train due? | ask
ed. by way of opening a short CONVEX
sation.
-. Bout hour and half he said
pleasantly.
WHAT / yelled. Then l looked at
my watch. 1t was just 1890.
The policeman watched with judicial
amusement while | made certain re-
marks about the hotel people When
| ended took my time-he said:
We'll. now, things strike people diff
ferently. don't they? Bout month
ago there was a Teller down I the hotel
had two bags, a regular drummer He
left word, same's you, to be called for
the train. an then turned in. But they
forgot him-didn't call him till after 2;
train on time that night, too.
'We-ell when they remembered,
they was in a feeze. First of all the
clerk-smart chap, that clerk; guess no.
tel clerks hez to be smart-the clerk he
set the clocks back; made 'em seem TO
be about | o'clock instead of after 2.
Then he called the drummer. The
drummer he dressed quick, paid his
bill, same's you grabbed his two grips,
one in each hand and hurried over here.
l was here-just as | am tonight, and
carefully, SOS not to excite him too
much too quick, l let him know that
he was an hour behind the train, an
tibet he'd hev to wait another II hours
or So Jest as l let you know-on'y for
a difference o time.
'We-ell, What'd that drummer do
but pick up his grips-one n each
hand, walk back to the hotel and goin'
up to the window OF the office pitch
them two grips right through the glass
smash, The first one hit the clerk.
knocked him down: second one hit him
on tn head as he lay there. Guess I'm
even on the game" said the drummer.
Since then-'bout month ago
they've called ev-ry one a hour ahead
o. the train, and then put the lights out,
soon's a fellow leaves the hotel-mat-
ter o preeaution, you know
That's why ! started with a pro-
verb +"