Evening star., 1900-08-18
AMERICAN NERVE IN LONDON.
Two Americans Who Bluned Thei,
Way Into the House of Lords.

Two Americans Who BluHed Their
Way Into the House of Lords.
From the New York Sun.
1t is believed that the first Americans who
ever succeeded in bluffing their way into
the house of lords are DR.. Frederick L.
Forker and Ralph D. Smith of this city.
who have just returned from a European
trip. The tourists visited the vacant cham
bers in parliament building when they first
went to Europe two months ago, but at
that time neither house was in session.
When they returned to London week before
last and learned that both houses were in
session they determined to try to witness
the working of the most dignified and au-
gust body in the world, the house of lords.
Inquirng at their hotel they learned that
no tickets are issued for admittance to that
house, in fact, that there are admit
tances except to friends, who are taken in
by members. They learned that the Ameri-
can embassy has two tickets each day for
admission to the house of commons, and
that it is also much easier to get admitted
to that body through some member.
They visited the embassy. but learned
that all tickets We're spoken for weeks in
advance. The attaches of the embassy could
suggest no way in which they could secure
admittance unless they knew some mem
Der. After a days unsuccessful effort to
place member Of parliament on their
quaintance list, they visited the Cunard
agent who had shown them courtesies when
lTeS uTSl ldllteu ne cDulu suggest noun
ing until he remembered that he 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 bring
ing them two tickets from his member
quaintance which would admit them to the
house of commons. When they suggested
their desire to visit the house of lords to
several Engl!shmer, 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 We're admitted to
the gallery Of the house Of commons. where
they listened for some time to the weighty
discussion on the advisabiIity of permitting
the Irish language to be taught in the
schools of Ireland This debate soon be-
came too tame for the Americans and they
left the house in quest of larger game.
They started down the long hall leading
to the assembly chamber of the upper
house. Soon they were stopped by the up
lifted hand of guard. S-s-t. You
mustn't come here. The house of lords IS
in session"
The Americans were not to be stopped by
such trifies. They engaged the guard in
conversation. and soon worked 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?' inquired 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
well, Til tell you. Just bide bit, han
per'aps some lord will come OUT
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 l told you.
but go down to the door there and inquire
for Lord Aberdeen, and If you can
make it,
The Americans believed that this was
good advice as it put them one guard
selves to the stiff officials who stood at the
outer door of the house. and Mr. Smith
said:
We would like to see Lord Aberdeen"
The guards were inclined to argue the
question, but the Americans stood their
ground, emphasized their demands. and con-
vinced the guards that they were important
dignltarieS. Their cards were carried in to
the former governor general of Canada
Does his lordship expect you?" inquired
one Of the guards.
Il don't know as he expects us TODAY" re-
piled Mr.. Smith
But the waiting time, my brothers. was
the hardest time of ALL" explains DIR. Fork
er, in describing the incident. "As we stood
there we had time to think of the sublime
nerve of the thing and the perspiration
stood out on our faces. We wondered how
we were going to know his lordship should
he come out But we were too far into the
game to throw up our hands. While we
stood debating what we should do next the
guard loudly announced Lord Aberdeen
Turning, we saw behind US pleasant-look-
iIS, pul very ulSnlneO, Well-QfeSSeO man OF
middle age, and then we knew we had got
to see the game to the limit"
Putting on his. best brand OF bluff, Mr..
Smith stepped up to his lordship and began:
Mr.. Aberdeen, we owe you an apology,
but we wish to get into the house of lords.
and we were referred to you to take us In
Mr.. Aberdeen was too much surprised
to speak at first, SO the young attorney ex-
planned
I'VE have just come from the house of
commons"
How did you get into the house of COM
mons? inquired Lord Aberdeen.
On tickets from a member"
What member"
Why, 1t WaS-ah-it Was-what member
was II. Doc?' inquired the nonplussed at
torney. ending his sentence in an aside to
his comDe Mon.
'Damfino." whispered back the physician,
i never thought to look at the ticket"
Ven, really. Mr.. Aberdeen, we've forgot
zen the members name" explained Mr..
smith, but we just came from the lower
mouse. and we were referred to you to take
US into the house of lords"
A very wise adventure, gentlemen" sug-
gesteo MS iordshfp.' with7a trace Of sarcasm
BUT MS tWlnkling eyes showed that he ap-
preciated the humor of the situation. Come
with me-. and he led the way through the
chamber
When the stairs leading to the gallery
said: Il think won't send you into the gal
lery: come this way" and he led them on
to the floor of the house,.
His lordship conducted the Americans IN
to the bar of the house, stood with them for
short time. pointing cut Lord Salisbury
and other prominent members and then
found seats for them.
The Americans listened to the debate for
some time, having an opportunity to hear
Lord Salisbury speak briefly. A few min
utes later Lord Aberdeen, on leaving the
house. came up to the tourists, explained a
1ew points about the debate and cordially
shook hands with them as he went out.
ihey followed him shortly, rejecting on
what can be Accomplished BY bluff and Yam
kee nerve.
Left on His Hands.
From Puck