Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1910-09-17
HIS SUPERB NERVE
1t Enabled Him to LolI In Luxury
With Not a Cent of Cost.
CRUSHING A HOTEL KEEPER.
The Beau Was Elegant In Dress and
Exquisite In His 6luffins and Played
His Part Well--Never Known to
Pay Bill Under Any Circumstances.

Exquisite In His 6luffins and Played
His Part WelI-Nevsr Known to
Pay n 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 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 one 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 a long stay. He or
dered champagne by the case and CT
CARS 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 gen.
tleman about such an inelegant thing
as money, but after Beau had been a
guest at the Monumental for more than
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 a
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 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 1t is?'
"'That is a bill. Mr.. Smith, said
Guyer as soon as he recovered his
breath.
$50 1 observe responded Beau,
but, Mr.. Guyer, 1t is made out against
me-
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 1
would be glad IL you
why, my dear SIR interrupted
Beau, laughing, you surely never ex-
pected me to pay this billT
"'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 1 came to
your house.
"Mr Guyer admitted that he did.
Then, you know continued Beau,
that l have never been known to pay
a 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
notT demanded the hotel proprietor
sternly
"T do not replied the Beau quietly.
Every well, then, will sue you,
sir
"That is your privilege, SIR
And l will get Judgment, too
said Guyer angrily.
"'You will get more than that, Mr..
Guyer,' responded Beau calmly. You
will get yourself laughed at by the en-
tire country for being so foolish as to
imagine that you could collect a 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 will do. If you will move over
to the City hotel and play this same
game ON old man Barnum I'll give
you a receipt In full for all that you
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
full for what owed him IL would
move over here and play the same
N,..a
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