The true northerner., 1900-09-07

world. -
II is believed that the first Ameri-
cans who ever succeeded In bluffing
their way into the House of Lords are
DR.. Frederick L. Forker and Ralph ID.
Smith of Binghamton, who has just
returned from a European trip. The
tourists visited the vacant chambers
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 Lon
don week before last and learned
that both Houses were in session they
determined to try to witness the
working OF the most dignified and
august body in the world, the House
of Lords.
Inquiring at their hotel they learn
ed that no tickets are issued for adj
mittance to that House. in fact that
there are no admittances, except to
friends, who are taken in by men,
bers. They learned that the Amert-
can Embassy has two tickets each
day for admission to the House of
Commons. and that il is also much
easier to get admitted TO that body
through some member.
They visited the Embassy, but
learned that all tickets were spoken
for weeks in advance. The attaches
of the Embassy could suggest no way
in which they could secure admittance
unless they knew some member Az
ter a days unsuccessful effort TO place
Member of Parliament on their ac-
quaintance list, they visited the Gun
ard agent who had shown them cour-
tesies when they first landed. He
could suggest nothing, until he re-
membered that he knew 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
admit 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 thing.
On July 10 the tourists were admit
ted TO the gallery of the House Of
Commons, where they listened for
some time to the weighty discussion
on the advisability of permitting the
Irish language TO be taught in the
schools OF Ireland This debate soon
became too tame for the Americans,
and they left the House in quest or
larger game.
They started down the long hall
leading to the assembly chamber of
the upper house. Soon they were
stopped by the uplifted hand of a
guard. "S-s-t You mustn't come here.
The House of Lords is in session"
The Americans were not 10 be stop
ped by such trifles. They engaged
the guard in conversation, and soon
they had secured his graces.
Then they explained the sit
uation 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 perplex-
ity. Finally he suggested:
We'll, I'll 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 | told
you, but go down to the door there
and inquire for Lord Aberdeen, and
see If you can make it,"
The Americans believed that this
was good advice. as ii put them one
guard nearer the goal. They pre-
sented themselves TO the stiff officials, |
who stood at the outer door of the |
House, and Mr.. Smith said:
I'VE would like to see Lord Aber-
deen.'
The guards were inclined to argue |
the question, but the Americans ood |
their ground. emphasized their de-
mands, and convinced the guards that
they were important dignita les.
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 to-
day" replied Mr. Smith.
But the waiting time, my brothers,
was the hardest time of ALL" explains
Dr. Forker, in describing the incid mt
While we stood debating what we
should do next, the guard loudly
Lord Aberdeen Turn
ing we saw behind us pleasant look
Ing, but very dignified, well-dressed
man of middle age, and then we knew
we had got to see the game to the end.
Putting on his best brand of bluff
Mr.. Smith stepped up to his Lokiship
and began:
"Mr. Aberdeen, we owe you an apol-
Ogy, but we wish TO get into the
House of Lords, and swe were referred
10 you to take us in."
"Mr" Aberdeen was too much sur
prised to speak at first, so the young
attorney explained:
1--WE have just come from the House
Of Commons"
How did you get into the House of
inquired Lord Aberdeen.
"On tickets from member"
What MEMBER"
why IL was-ah-it was-what