The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-12-30
HIS SUPERB NERVE
Il Enabled Him to LoII In Luxury
With Not a Cent of Cost.
CRUSHING A HOTEL KEEPER.

The Beau Was Elegant In Dress and
Exquisite in His 6lufins and Played
His Part Well--Never Known to
Pay Bill Under Any Circumstances.
Misery loves company" quoted
Mr.. Tabb, an old time Virginia gentle
man, the other night. There's great
deal of truth In that old saying.
Some forty or fifty years ago there
was celebrated Virginia character,
well known in Washington. Baltimore
and Philadelphia, whom ! shall call
Beau Smith, because Smith wasn't his
real name. Beau Smith was not only
noted for the elegance Of his dress, but
also for his absolute disregard Of all
financial obligations. He was never
known to pay a bill under any circum-
stances.
Beau entered the Office Of the old
Monumental hotel, in Baltimore, one
night, registered, and upon being as
signed to enc of the best suits Of rooms
in the house. for he would be satisfied
only with the best, he proceeded to
make himself thoroughly at home and
settled down for long stay. He or
dered champagne by the case and CT
gars by the box for the entertainment
Of such friends as might visit him In
his apartments and, in short, lived as
though he had millions behind him.
The proprietor Of the hotel, Mr.. Guyer,
had heard of Beau, but he could not
believe that he would deliberately run
up such large bill If he had no inten-
ton Of paying it, and he hesitated
about speaking to such an elegant gem
tleman about such an inelegant thing
as money, but after Beau had been s
guest at the Monumental for more than
I q month and had said nothing about
paying his bill Mr.. Guyer summoned
up his courage and had Beau's bill
made out and sent up to him. In a
few moments Mr.. Guyer received
polite but urgent message from Beau,
asking him to come to his apartments
dit once.
II sent for you, Mr.. Guyer,' said
the inpecunious beau, to show you a
most remarkable document which has
been sent up to me from your Office.
l don't wish to complain Of your
clerks, sir, but dislike being annoyed
in this way. VIII you kindly look at
that and tell me what it isT
sseThat is bill, Mr.. Smith, said
Guyer as soon as he recovered his
breath.
SO ] observe responded Beau,
but, Mr.. Guyer, It is made out against
me- 81
Certainly replied the hotel man.
1T is our account against you for
board and lodging, wines. cigars and
other extras for the last month, and +,
would be glad If you
Why. my dear SIR interrupted
Beau, laughing. you surely never ex-
pected me to pay this billY
I most certainly did and do ex-
pect you to pay it, answered Mr.. Guy
er firmly.
But. dear SIR said Beau gently,
you knew who was when came to
your house.
Mr.. Guyer admitted that he did.
Then, you know continued Beau,
that I have never been known to pay
q bill to any one. and no one in his
senses ever expected that would.
Now, my dear sir, beg of you to de-
stroy this ridiculous document and see
that l am not annoyed again with
such foolishness.'
DO you intend to pay this bill or
notr demanded the hotel proprietor
sternly.
\. Il do not replied the Beau quietly.
Very well, then. l win sue you,
sir
That is your privilege, sir,
"sAnd ! win get Judgment, too
said Guyer angrily.
You will get more than that, Mr..
Guyer.' responded Beau calmly. You
win get yourself laughed at by the en-
tire country for being so foolish as to
imagine that you could collect bill
from Beau Smith. Pray do not sub.
ject yourself to such ridicule.'
"Guyer hesitated: he knew he would
be laughed at numerically by every
one. and, then, too, he could not help
but admire the colossal cheek of
Smith, SO he sat down again and Lit
fresh cigar.
"'Mr. Smith, said he, I'll tell you
what I win do. If you win move over
to the City hotel and play this same
zame on old man Barnum I'll give
2 receipt in full for all that you
he me- and say NO more ahouf -
Receipt the bill, Mr.. Guyer,' an
wered Smith coolly. i had been stop
ping with Mr. Barnum for a month
prior to coming to your house. and he
also promised to give me a receipt in
1uLi Tor what ! owed him If 1 would
move over here and play the same
trick on you "-P Philadelphia Ledger.
Dry Cleaned Them.