Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1910-09-23
HIS superb NERVE:
II Enabled Him to LcII In Luxury
With Not a Cent OF Cost.
CRUSHING A HOTEL KEEPER.
The oeau Was Elegant In Dress and
Exquisite In His elutfing and Played
His Part WeIl-Never known to
Pay . Bill Under Any Cireurcstanccs.


His Part WeIl-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 c:I
Deau Smith. because Smith wasn't his
real name. Beau Smith was not only
noted for the elegance of his dress. Int
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 ole 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 I'm
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 be would deliberately run
up such large bill il he had no inten-
ton of paying it and he hesitatcd
nnOIf fn Ctis.i q, oil,
tleman about such an inelegant thing
as money, bet after Beau had been Il
guest at the Monumental for more than
a month and had said nothing about
paying his bill AIr. Guyer summoned
up his courage and had Beau's bill
made out and sent up to him. In
few moments Mr. Guyer received Il
polite but urgent message from Beau
asking him to come TO his apartments
at once.
81 sent for you, Mr.. Guyer.' said
the inpecunious beau, to show YOU n
most remarkable document which ha,:
been sent up to me from your Office
don't wish TO complain Of your
clerks. sir, but dislike being annoyed
in this way. Will you kindly look al
that and tell me what it is
THAT is a bill. Mr.. Smith, . ia
Guyer as soon as he recovered his
breath.
$50 l observe responded Dcau.
but. Mr.. Guyer. II Is made out against
me-
Certainly replied the hotel man.
1t is our account against you for
hnQr6 lodi OF
other extras for the last month, and ]
would be glad il you
Why. my dear sir interrupted
Beau, laughing, you surely never ex.
pected me to pay this billT
III most certainly did and do ex.
pect you to pay it, answered Mr. Guy.
er firmly.
But, dear SIR said Bean gently.
you knew who was when / came 10
your house
Mr.. Guyer admitted that he did.
Then, you know continued Beau,
that i have never been known TO pay
bill to any one. and no one i'm his
senses ever expected that l 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
notT demanded the hotel proprietor
sternly.
~ do not replied the Beau quietly.
Very well. then. i Will sue you.
sir
THAT is your privilege, sir
AND I will get Judgment. too
said Guyer angrily.
You will get more than that. Mr..
Guyer,' responded Beau calmly. You
will get yourself laughed Mt by the on
tire country for being so foolish as to
Imagine that you could collect a bill
from Beau Smith. Pray do not sub
5ect yourself to such ridicule'
"Guyer hesitated; he knew he would
be laughed at numerically by every
one. and, then. too. he could not helm
but admire the colossal cheek of
Smith, so he sat down again and lit a
fresh cigar
Mr.. Smith, said he, I'll tell you
what will do If you will move over
10 the City hotel and play this same
game on old man Barnum I'll give
you a receipt in full for all that Won
owe me and say no more about it,
Receipt the bill. Mr.. Guyer.' an
swered Smith coolly. 4 had been stop |
ping with Mr.. Barnum for month |
prior to coming to your house. and he |
also promised to give me receipt in |
tuii Tor what ! owed him if j would |
move over here and play the same
trick on YOU "-Phiiadelphia Ledger