Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-09-21
HIS SUPERB NERVE
II Enabled Him to LoII In Luxury
With Not a Cent of Cost.
CRUSHING A HOTEL KEEPER.
Tho Beau Was Elegant In Dress and
Exquisite In His BIuffins 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 u great
deal Of truth In that old saying.
Some forty or fifty years ago there
was n celebrated Virginia character.
well known In Washington. Baltimore
and Philadelphia. whom l 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 one Of the best suits Of rooms
In the house, for be 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
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.. GuyeC,
bad 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 il, and he hesitated
about speaking to such an elegant gen.
tleman about such an inelegant thing
as money. but after Beau had been
/ guest at the Monumental for more than
IA 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
few moments Mr. Guyer received a
polite but urgent message from Beau.
asking him to come 10 his apartments
at once.
"'I sent FOR you, Mr.. Guyer.' said
the inpecuniOus beau, to show you
most remarkable document which has
been sent up TO me from your office
don't wish to complain OF your
clerks, sir, but I dislike being annoyed
In this way. VIII you kindly look At
that and tell me what it is?'
THAT is n bill. Mr.. Smith, said
Guyer as soon as he recovered his
breath.
$50 observe responded Beau,
but. Mr. Guyer. It 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
would be glad If you
why, my dear sir interrupted
Beau, laughing, you surely never ex
pected me TO pay this btllT
"'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 Il
= your house
a mfr. Guyer admitted that he did.
Then, you know continued Beau
that i have never been known to pa.
~ a bill to any one, and no one in hi
senses ever expected that 1 would
Now, my dear sir, beg of you TO de
stroy this ridiculous document and Sc
that l am not annoyed again wit
such foolishness.'
J. do you intend TO pay this bill o
q not?' demanded the hotel proprieto
e sternly
>. al do not replied the Beau quietly
livery well. then. l will sue yol
sir
THAT is your privilege. sir
ed land l will get a Judgment. too
said Guyer angrily.
You will get more than that, NJ
Guyer.' responded Beau calmly. 70
will get yourself laughed at by the el
tire country for being so foolish as
imagine that you could collect a bi
from Beau Smith. Pray do not SUI
ject yourself TO such ridicule.'
r "Guyer hesitated; he knew he wou
e be laughed at numerically by evel
one. and. then. too. he could not he
but admire the colossal cheek
Smith. so he sat down again and lit
fresh cigar.
ny "'Mr. Smith,. said he. I'm tell "
ut what I will do. If you will move ov
to the City hotel and play this san
he game on old man Barnum I'll 81
~ you receipt in full for all that y,
owe me and say no more about IT,
Receipt the bill. Mr.. Guyer' a
III swered Smith coolly. ! had been ste
Gil ping with Mr.. Barnum for a mon
MT prior TO coming to your house. and
ny also promised to give me a receipt
full for what l owed him If I Voc
move over here and play the sal
trick on you "-Philadelphia Ledge
err
Dry Cleaned Them.
III "XVhv 10 your prandDa'S foca hs