The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-29
FIVE WEEKS ABROAD.

At Plymouth trains of the Great
Western railway were in waiting to
take the steamers passengers to Lon
don Upon entering the waiting room
a very gentlemanly. roseate-faced Eng
lishman. with note book in his hand.
came I'D to US and asked how many
were in our party. Upon saying six.
he said that he would set aside two
adjoining compartments in the train.
although the rules really required
eight for such a reservation.
did not ascertain the name of his
position. but he performed duties sim
liar to those of Depot Master Sherman
at Topeka for the Santa Fe, and by
his uniform courtesy toward making us
comfortable. and his ready replies to
numerous questions. well reminded us
of our own Pat.
We were directed into what in Amer
lea would be termed the baggage room.
but which over there was called a place
for luggage. There was considerable
hustle here and a skurrying to and fro
of porters. We had our grips in our
hands and were looking for the trunk.
which before leaving the steamer had
been marked with a big initial letter.
One of the porters took our valises. in
division marked IN" Here the trunk
and grips were opened for the inspec-
ton of one of the officers who took
survey of the articles of apparel living
on top and reached his hand down I'M
der the tray carefully as if he thought
might be ''boot-legger," no
ticing the suspicious word Kansas
on the trunks end. He asked
question about the contents being
wearing apparel and receiving a IA
vorable answer, put chalk marks on
the trunk and bundles. when the por-
ter quickly wheeled the former to the
luggage van. that is. the baggage car,
and we followed along to the carriages
or coaches. declared" two boxes of
cigars, fifty each, but there was no
duty. In fact, the whole proceeding
was simple and quick and quite differ
ent from the examination of the GUS
toms officers at the New York dock on
our return.
gave the young man, who had steer
ed our luggage through the customs,
sixpence, twelve cents in cur money. AS
he thanked me I presumed that was
about the right tip.
The affabIe gentleman who engaged
our compartments seemed to have 50
much authority and was so exceedingly
gentlemanly that I was afraid to give
him anything for fear he would be Of
Tended. This is one of the few instances
I ever knew where politeness did not
pay. Whether I made a mistake here
or not never knew because the gentle
man never showed by mien or manner
that he had missed anything.
In the matter of tipping I found ex-
periments extremely interesting, al
though at times embarrassing and at
others gratifying. When I dropped an
English penny into the hands OF a bar
Der, who is not that but hair dress
err" in one of the best shops in London,
and he said nothing, but looked at the
piece as if it were a spurious coin, al
though it was entirely good. concluded
that 1 was too low in my estimates. On
another occasion when I doubled the
tip by handing him a tuppence, which
is four cents. and he thanked me, say
ing good morning. 1 knew had reached
the proper figure.
Again when the recipient of a tip was
extremely courteous. shook hands with
me, inviting me to call again and wish
ing a pleasant day. I had the feeling
that 1 was easy and had given him
about twice as much as he usually re-
ceived. However the extra service he
gave me at parting made me realize 1
had found an old friend in a, distant
land.
On the platform we found the polite
attendant. who touched his hand to his
cap and directed us to our comDart-
ments.
The three additional ones of our party
were United States Senator Willard, of
Nebraska, and his daughter. and Mr..
George H. Williams. st. Louis attor-
ney. They had asked me to get our
seats together while they looked after
their luggage. This is such good word
that 7 like to ring it in.
From two glass doors opening on the
side of the tram or car noticed two
paper slips with the word engaged" in
large black type with my name attach
ed Similar notices appeared all along
the car. The passengers were readily
and comfortably located. The notices
appeared somewhat matter of fact
especially the one in front of the COM
partment occupied by several ladies and
gentlemen, including a charming young
lady and a young man who had met
upon the steamer. The rather startling
announcement at their window seemed to
have occasioned some embarrassment
and the young man I think would have
preferred the American way of reserva-
ton instead of the English one of en-
gagement.
Mr.. williams. who had Joined our
party. is a brother of Mrs. E. G. Smith,
of Topeka and has another sister who
has Just come from ST. Louis to attend
Washburn college.