Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-11-30
AN OFFICIAL SNUB
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 MS the others
there did. Up at 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 red sash round the waist.
On one occasion the genial author was
cruelty snubbed by a newly appoint
ed British consul at Apia, one Colonel
De Coetlogon. The story is told in
with Stevenson In Samoa" by III. ].
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 a bounden duty. Here he had
been In Apia for some considerable
time and had not yet called on her
Britannia maJesty's Representatives Ev-
cry Britisher of mark should attend to
such a duty Mt the earliest possible
moment! l must introduce him with
out one moments further delay.
Come along, Moors," said he; lets
get 1t Off our mindv"
informed him that Colonel De Coet-
logon was himself a new man in the
place-he had been in Apia but little
while-and / had not yet met him.
bn had him Ind mostly
declared him to be an exclusive, crusty
old fellow, full of pomposity. 1 was
therefore very loath to go until the new
arrival had simmered down somewhat.
1t was rumored that he had been for
years governor OF some great jail In
Britain, and people remarked that he
treated many OF bis callers as ticket of
leave men who had come in to report.
, But Stevenson, feeling very sure Of
his powers to charm this Gorgon.
would take no warning. but shouted
gayIy: Come on, Moors! I'll attend
, TO this case. He'll welcome us all
right" / pointed out his attire and
, his lack of shoes, and. with a sigh. he
compromised so far as to put on
clean shirt and a pair Of trousers and
, shoes, but my best efforts would not
inducs him to wear a coat In the rig
he wore aud under his little yachting
cap he positively looked no more than
. twenty or twenty-five years OF age.
He dubbed with enthusiasm over ev-
erything new and strange that came
within his view as we passed along
|. the road to Matautu. where De Coet-
" logon lived. From the beginning
: doubted II we would receive anything
like an elusive welcome. and 1 took
9 care to impart my fears to my friend.
: but he only laughed. Particularly did
= 1 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, so,dieriy person. with
white mustachios and close cropped
. hair. was sitting peacefully on the
veranda. He made no attempt TO ris'
U" and welcome us. A whisky and sod'
{ had just then his rapt attention. w
IL assembled the steps. The statue in tn
IL chair merely regarded US. We Nigh
10 as we'll have been a couple OF dis
u. tressed prisoners coming to pray 70
! some ameiioration.
In Stevenson would have embraced thi
cold representative OF his country
VI greatness, but the chill restrained hin
y" Good morning. sir"
'e A grunt well, what do you want:
lis MY name is Stevenson. 1 am we
II known In Britain by my works.
m fact, l am a novelist. This Is NJ
ne Moors."
On "Well, what do you wantT
nj No friendly hand was stretched OF
W to greet us. We noted q face as har
lc' as stone. as uncompromising and
ur unsympashetic as brick wall Steve
~ son stood there as one petritied; W.
OF quite appalled,. My friend had n
h! counted on such start. There was
al seam or crevice in which he mig
of momentarily locate to reconnoiter b
er fore he should attack again. The CO
rs' surs brow was sad TO look upon /
hi had not even risen civilly to hear us.
di 1--WE have come, sir. to pay our I
'cE spects."
Ird "If you have any business and d
nd sire to see me / will listen to you
ha; week days and in my Office at the pre-
Dck or time. Good morning."
CO. Stevenson quite lost the power
he speech and looked appealingly at n
ept I cannot remember exactly what
re- said, but I know that i endeavored
TO depict to the consul the worth and h'
rue ssty of my companion.
In return came this: II don't CT
om who you are-either of you! II y
ver have any business at this consul;