Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1910-12-07

Rudely Flung at Genial Robert
Louis Stevenson.
A CONSUL WITH A CROUCH.

Respects and Was Shown the Door
With Few Words and No Ceremony.
When Robert Louis Stevenson lived
In Samoa he dressed as the others
there did Up ut vailima they all went
about In their bare feet. except when
expecting guests.
When stevenson came into Apia he
looked only half dressed. He always
came down with a soft shirt on and
generally white flannel trousers. some
times with a red sash round the waist.
On one occasion the genial author was
ruelly snubbed by a newly appoint
ed British consul at Apia. Que Colonel
DE Coetlogon. The story is told I'm
with Stevenson In Samoa" by IL. ].
Moors. the author:
one Sunday morning while Steven
son and myself. barefoot and in paja-
mas. were discussing the various local
celebrities. my friend suddenly jumped
up and announced that he had ne
elected bounden duty. Here he had
been I'm Apia for some considerable
time and had not yet called on her
Britannia ma testy's representative. Ev-
cry Britisher OF mark should attend to
such duty at the earliest possible
moment, | must introduce him with
out one moments further delayI
Come along. Moors." said he; let's
get II or o5c mindr'
Informed aim that Colonel De Coet-
logon was Itmself new man In the
place-he hz1 been in Apia but a little
while-and ! had not yet met him.
People who had met him had mostly
declared him 10 be an exclusive, crusty
old fellow. tull OF pomposity. / was
therefore very loath TO 70 until the new
arrival had simmered down somewhat
IL was rumored that he had been for
years governor OF some great Jail in
Britain. and people remarked that he
treated many OF his callers as ticket OF
leave men who had come In TO report.
But Stevenson. feeling very sure OF
his powers 10 charm this Gorgon,
would take no warning. but shouted
gayly: Come on Moorsl I'll attend
10 this case. He'll welcome us all
right" l pointed out his attire and
his lack OF shoes. and. with a sigh. he
compromised SO far as 10 put on n
clean shirt and n pair OF trousers and
shoes. but my best efforts would not
induce him TO wear coat. In the rig
he wore and under his little yachting
cap he positively looked no more than
twenty Or twenty-five years OF age.
He dubbed with enthusiasm over ev-
erythlng new and strange that came
within his view as we passed along
81 4
logon lived. From the beginning I
doubted II we would receive anything
Ike an ELUSIVE welcome. and i took
care 20 impart my fears 10 my friend.
but he only laughed. Particularly did
/ point out that this was Sunday and
that we should choose another day for
our visit. He still laughed.
With pride and Joy he threw open
the consular gate and strobe manfully
across the lawn. ! following close be-
hind. A tall. soldierly person. with
white mustachlos and close cropped
hair, was sitting peacefully on the
veranda. He made no attempt 20 rise
and welcome us. A whisky and soda
had just then his rapt attention. We
assembled the steps. The statue in the
chair merely regarded us. We might
as we'll have been a couple OF dis
tressed prisoners coming to pray for
some amelioration.
Stevenson would have embraced this
cold representative OF his country's
greatness. but the chill restrained him.
GOOD morning, sir"
A grunt. "Well. what do you want?"
known In Britain by my works-in
fact, am n novelist This is Mr..
Moors."
"Well. what do you want?"
No friendly hand was stretched out
TO greet us. We noted face as hard
as stone. as uncompromising and as
unsympathetic as brick wall. Steven
son stood there as one petriied; was
quite appalled,. My friend had not
counted on such a start. There was no
seam or crevice in which he might
momentarily locate 70 reconnoiter be-
fore he should attack again. The con-
surs brow was sad TO look upon. He
had not even risen civilly TO hear us.
"We have come, sir, TO pay our re-
spects"
IF you have any business and de-
sire TO see me | will listen to you on
week days and In my office at the prop
er time. Good morning"
Stevenson quite lost the power OF
speech and looked appealingiy at me.
cannot remember exactly what I
said, but know that endeavored to
depict to the consul the worth and hon.
esty OF my companion.
In return came this: 81 don't care
who you are--either of youl II you
have any business at this consulate
come and state 1t at the proper time"
without more than profound bow
Stevenson turned and made his way
out into the road again, having pre-
ceded bin. by heavens. Moors, you
were right What a beastl What a
d-d-weil, suppose he has right
to choose his own Sunday morning
company. had thought that was
one OF the foremost men OF letters OF
. the day, but this fellow differs. WHAT
a situation for a man OF my supposed
eminence to ind himself in! People
will differ In their opinions. won't
II -