The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-09-05
AMERICAN NERVE IN LONDON.
Two Americans Who Bluffed Their
Way Into House of Lords.


believed that the first Americans who
ever succeeded in bluffing their way in
to the House of Lords are Dr. Freder-
lex l.. Forker and Ralph D. Smith of
this city, who have just returned from
a European trip. The tourists visited
the vacant chambers in the Parliament
building when they first went to Eu-
rope two months ago, but at that time
neither House was in session. When
they returned to London week before
last and learned that both housesj were
in session they determined to try to
witness the working of the most digni-
fed and august body in the world, the
House OF Lords.
Inquiring at their hotel they learned
that no tickets are issued for admit
lance to the House, in fact that there
are no admittances. except to friends,
who are taken in by members. They
learned that the American Embassy
has two tickets each day for admis-
sion TO the House of Commons, and
that it is also much easier to get adj
mitted to that body through some
member.
They visited the Embassy, but learn
ed that all tickets were spoken for
weeks in advance. The attaches of the
Embassy could suggest no way in
which they could secure admitttance
unless they knew some member. After
a days unsuccessful effort to place
Member of Parliament on their ac-
quaintance list, they visited the Cunard
agent. who had shown them courtesies
when they first landed. He could sug
gest nothing until he remembered that
ne knew a member of the lower house.
He promised TO see what he could do
for the tourists.
That night he came to their hotel
bringing them two tickets from his
member acquaintance which would ad-
NIT them to the House of Commons.
When they suggested their desire to
visit the House of Lords to several
Englishmen. the Britishers simply
gaped in wonder at the men whose
nerve would prompt them to think of
such a thing.
on July 10 the tourists were admit
ted to the gallery of the House of Com
mons, where they listened for some
time to the weighty discussion on the
ACCESSIBILITY of permitting the Irish
language be taught in the schools of
Ireland. This debate soon became too
tame for the Americans, and they left
the House in quest of larger game.
They started down the long hall lead
ing To the assembly chamber of the
upper house. Soon they were stopped
by the uplifted hand of guard ''Ss't.
You mustn't come here. The House Of
Lords is in session.
The Americans were not to be stop
ped by such trifies. They engaged the
guard in conversation, and soon work
ed themselves into his good graces
Then they explained the situation and
asked him to help them get into the
House.
Don't you know some Lord?" in
quired the good-natured fellow.
The Americans admitted that they
had no lords on their calling list. The
guard scratched his head in perplexity.
Finally he suggested:
/ We'll, I'll tell you. Just bide d bit,
han per'aps some lord will come out"
4 The tourists "bided several bits" but
none came. More scratching Of his
head brought another idea to the guard,
who suggested:
Now, don't tell no one that told
you, but go down to the door there and
/ inquire for Lord Aberdeen, and see II
tyou can make it." he 1.
\ The Americans believed that this was
good advice, as il put them one guard
nearer the goal. They presented them
selves to the stiff officials who stood al
the outer door Of the House, and Mr..
Smith said:
1--WE would like to see Lord Aber-
deem"
The guards were inclined TO argue
the question, but the Americans stood
their ground. emphasized their de-
mands, and convinced the guards that
they We're important dignitaries. Their
cards were carried in to the former
Governor General of Canada.
Does His Lordship expect you?" in
lquired one of the guards
II don't know as he expects us to-
day" replied Mr.. Smith.
But the waiting time, my brothers
was the hardest time Of ALL" explain:
DR.. Forker in describing the incident
las we stood there We had time Il
think Of the sublime nerve of the thing
and the perspiration stood out on ou
faces. We wondered how we Were go
ing to know his Iordship should n
come out. But we were too far gon
into the game to throw up our hands
While we stood debating what w
should do next. the guard loudly an
nOunced. Lord Aberdeen. Turning
we saw behind Us "a pleasant-lookini
but very dignified. well-dressed man o
middle age. and then we knew we ha'
got TO see the game TO the limit.
Putting on his best brand of bluff Nj
Smith stepped up To his lordship AM
began:
mir. Aberdeen, we owe you an apol
ogy. but We wish to get into the Hous
OF Lords, and we were referred to yo
, to take US in"
MIR" Aberdeen was too much sur
prised To speak at first, so the youn
attorney explained:
We have just come from the Hous
/, OF Commons"
How did you get into the House q
! Commons?' inquired Lord Aberdeen.
Q ION tickets from a member"
D What MEMBER
! why IL was-ah-it was-what mem
Der was it Doc?" inquired the non
plussed attorney. ending his sentenc
In an aside to his companion.
e 'Damfino." whispered back the ply
5 stefan. II never thought to look at tn
ticket"
Q We'll, really, Mr.. Aberdeen, we'v
n forgotten the members name" ex
: planned Mr.. Smith. but we just cam
: from the lower house and we were re
ferred TO you to take US into the Hous
OF Lords"
n "A very wise adventure. gentlemen,
q suggested his lordship with a trace c
s sarcasm. But his twinkling eyes show
: ed that he appreciated the humor c
a the situation. Come with me-" an
he led the way to the anterooms, open
: ing in To the assembly chamber.
When the stairs leading to the ga
Il lery were reached he reflected a minut
n a "a saly T