The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1911-02-08
AN OFFICIAL SNUb
RudeIy Flung at Genial Robert
Louis Stevenson.
A CONSUL WITH A CROUCH.

With Few Words and No Ceremony.
When Robert Louis Stevenson lived
in Samoa he dressed as 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 a 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 Ell. J.
Moors. the author:
One Sunday morning while Steven
o 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 representative. Ev-
cry Britisher of mark should attend to
such a duty at the earliest possible
moment! must introduce him with
out n moments further delay!
"Come along. Moors." said he; LETS
get 1t of our mind!"
Informed him that Colonel De Coet-
logon was himself a new man In the
place-he had been in Apia but a little
wh'le-and | had not yet met him.
People who had met him had mostly
declared him to be an exclusive. crusty
old fellow. full Of pomposity. l was
therefore very loath to 60 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 his 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
gayly: "Come on, Moors! I'll attend
to this case. He'll welcome us all
right" l pointed out his attire and
his lack of shoes, and, with a sigh, he
compromised so far as to put on a
clean shirt and a pair of trousers and
shoes, but my best efforts would not
induce him to wear a coat. In the rig
he wore and under his little yachting
cap he positively looked no more than
twenty or twenty-five years Of age.
He bubbled 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 l
doubted If we would receive anything
like an ELUSIVE welcome, and l took
care to impart my fears to my friend,
but he only laughed. Particularly did
l 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, l following close be-
hind. A tall. soldierly person. with
white mustachios and close cropped
hair, was sitting peacefully on the
veranda. He made no attempt to rise
and welcome us. A whisky and soda
had just then his rapt attention. We
assembled the steps. The statue in the
chair merely regarded us. We might
as well have been a couple Of dis
tressed prisoners coming to pray for
some amelioration.
Stevenson would have embraced this
cold representative Of his country's
greatness. but the chill restrained him.
Good morning. sir"
A grunt. well, what do you want?"
"My name is Stevenson. l am we'll
known in Britain by my works--in
fact. | am a novelist. This is Mr..
Moors."
swell. what do you want?"
No friendly hand was stretched out
as stone. as uncompromising and as
unsympathetic as a brick wall. Steven
son stood there as n petrifed; l was
quite appalled,. My friend had not
counted on such a start. There was no
seam or crevice in which he might
momentarily locate to r%econnoiter be.
fore he should attack again. The con
sul's brow was sad to look upon. He
had not ven risen civilly to hear US.
I'VE have come, sir, to pay our re.
spects."
If you have any business and de.
sire to see me I will listen to you on
week days and in my Office at the prop
er time. Good morning."
Stevenson quite lost the power OF
speech and looked appealingly at me
cannot remember exactly what
said, but I know that I endeavored to
depict to the consul the worth and hon
esty Of my companion.
In return came this: II don't car
who you are-either Of you! If you
have any business at this consulate
come and state it at the proper time
Without 20 than a profound bow
Stevenson turned and made his way
out into the road again. l having pre-
ceded him. by heavens, Moors. yor
we're right! What a beast! What 6