Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-12-13

SOME or The THINGS AMERICAN WIS.,
TORS SOON LEARN.

HNi"Sht hioWtnE ar Cab whistles
P"r<iing at First NO Bootbiack
Stands ia British CapIsaI-won.e.
Cannot Clean Windows.
Americans soJourning IN London ara
often puzzled Ia their first few hours
there to account for the frequent blow
Ing OF mouth whistles in their vicinity.
resembling the blasts OF sound with
which the New York postman accom-
panies the delivery OF mail. A Yankee
who arrived In the British metropolis
pne summer night greatly fatigued by
BIS Journey retired early at his Iodg-
ings. but was kept awake until mid
Night by tie unaccustOmed and con-
tinuous blowing of whistles. which sug-
sested to his drowsy brain that letter
carriers were calling every few min
uteS at the adjoining houses.
At breakfast the next morning he re-
marked that he had often heard OF Lon
IONS frequent mail deliveries. but he
had never supposed there were so many
OF them as he had heard the previous
evening.
"heardf' inquired his seat mate.
Yes; didn't you hear the postmen
blowing their Whistles every few min
utes until after midnightY
lhe English are too polite TO laugh
IN ones face. but suppressed snicker
. went around the table. breaking Into
audible laughter as another New York
er. who had been I'm London twenty
four hours longer than the new arrival
explained glbly:
HfA[nV ffa..e.
heard. Every London house has a cab
whistle. One blast brings a hanson
two four wheeler"
Cabs are essential To London. whore
anuquated stages are the only means
OF going I'm many directions. ana they
serve as express wagons as well as
cohVeyances. Few persons send their
baggage c'luggaEc." IL IS called over
theiel in advance TO railway station or
steamer pier. A cab IS called AT the
last moment, ana the cabman puts
trunk or vase on the roof Of his vehi-
c.c II one parcels are numerous a
fous wheeler or omnibus Is employed.
On arriving with luggage the same
mcleod IS used to carry II 10 ones
home or loigngs.
A the ''ggSS, covered hausom
bowls a.a.c t~1 or three ragged and
dirty men or boys may be seen running
beside it. II any distance is To be tray
crscd. IL viii he noticed that some OF
these drop Lchini one after the other,
while others take their places. They
are runners" usually men on their
''uppers." who earn an occasional shil-
ling by following cabs ID their destina-
lions and carrying the luggage upstairs
Tor the arriving passengers
Ii would not occur 70 the average
Engiishman 90 seek a bootblack out
side his own home for his morning
shine" shoes are generally polished
in the Louse 10y the maidservant. II
one lacks valet or footman. and the
bootblack stand is conSpicuously alb
sent from the British capital. Boot
blacks. often aged men. bearing the
label Licensed Messenger" on their
coat sleeve. have foot boxes at the
chief Intersections OF the principal
thoroughfares and ply their trade for
the benefit OF transientS ana foreign
crs. They are seldom patrOnized by the
London householder.
One OF tue first Inquiries made 10y
Americans who settle in London is FOR
a washcrwoman. But it is soon found
that this useful person is not to be
had. Very little washing Is done al
home or taken out 10y washerwomen
in London. all the sOiled linen being
sent 10 laundry. The result is that
Americans. accustomed TO the weekly
visit OF the family washerwoman at
home, find their laundry bills lot a
small item Of expense en- the other side
OF the ocean.
4 surprise is in store for the new
householder in London who asks the
maidServant TO clean the windows
Indeed, ma am. III be arrested IL ]
did" explains the girl as she refuses
the task. And. sure enough. II is learn
ell that owing TO accidents to women
cleaning windows from the outside the
authorities have ordained that women
must not risk life or limb at window
cleaning. The penalty for disobeyinl
the regulation is fine Of 50. SO mer
employed as pOrters in furniture stores
and similar shops earn many odd six
pences and shillings 10y spending theil
weekly half holidays as window clean
erS 10 hOuseholders lacking men serv
ants.
Most OF the small London shOpkeep
erS and their assistants take 4 half hOl
iday on Thursday instead Of Saturday
rs in New York, the butchers closins
up Tuesday afternoons. This practic,
causes Inconvenience to newcomers I'm
I'll guarded against by early purchases
New York Tribune.