The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-09-16

George Atherton, an American, visit
ed London, and, being without letters
OF introduction and the English people
not being prone to make friends of
strangers, he had a lonely time of it.
One spring morning he was sitting on
a bench In Hyde park looking at some
budding plants when a well dressed
man sat down on the other end of the
bench. Anterior had failed so often
at scrap1ng an acquaintance with Eng
llshmen that he determined not to
speak to the man, who sat idly tap
ping his boot with his cane But good
Fellowship or the natural animal trait
Of segregation or whatever it might be
called was too strong in him, and he at
last remarked:
Fine morning, sir"
every; just the morning for the flow.
ers," replied the stranger genially.
II have garden at home across the
big pond. I wonder whether nj man
is giving it the proper attention"
"Our tastes agree. I'm devoted to
my garden"
all love England. And what is Eng
land but one big garden?"
"That's what makes America look
unfinished to us here. We're used to
seeing every bit Of ground made beau.
tiful."
"Have you been in America. sir?"
Never, but have met several Eng
lishmen who have. and 1 once knew
an American quite we'll. Introduced
him to a life entirely new to him." =
Indeed? He doubtless found you
more obliglng than l have found your
countrymen. I've now been in Eng
land month and have found no one
inclined to introduce me-"
"Have you been presented at court?'
II have not"
"Then am sorry to say can do
nothing for YOU"
"You Englishmen are welded to
your presidents"
"Why should we not be? Our con-
st1tution is made up of them. For
and subservient people. A man in
my position then could introduce the
lowest subject into life entirely
strange to him simply at a word from
the king. Today the king has only to
perform his part Of form. The man
Is presented at court and may then be
at once launched into social circle
from which the sovereign has no pow
er to recall him.
"But what entities him to be pre-
sented?"
"Oh, there are various things. He
must be known-in fact, well known
that Is, if I have anything to do with
his case. He must have done some
thing to warrant my taking him up"
Does wealth have anything to do
with ones securing your good offices?"
Nothing whatever l make no in
quiries as to the size of ones pocket
book. But there is feeling among
Englishmen that rich people are less
liable to be turned over to me to be
introduced than those who are poor"
"How could you advise me to pro-
coed In order to be presented at court
and then turned over to you to be in
PRODUCED into society?"
"You must become notable for some
thing But must bid you good morn
ing. sir. have an engagement to
make an introduction within a couple
of hours. must leave you" .
Hope l may meet you again." said
Anterior. --...
The man raised his hat politely as he
walked away. but made no reply.
That's an Englishman all over"
muttered Anterior. He'll take no re-
sponsibility in vouching for stranger.
All must go through the proper form"
At that moment who should come
sailing down the way but Tredegar, an
American resident of London whom
Anterior had known years agone.
''Hello, Athertonw said Tredegar aft
er looking at the departing stranger
with apparent interest. you over
here?"
Eyes; I've been here some time Note
that man who has just left me. l
wish to ask you about him. He says
that stranger here. after having been
presented at court, is turned over to
him for Introduction into society,""
"Oh. he did, did he? To what kind
OF society did he say he introduced
people"
THE highest circles"
What else did he say?
He said. for one thing. that to be
presented at court one must be nota-
ble-at least he never takes up any but
notable people. He says one doesn't
need to be wealthy to secure his good
Offices"
He told you all this, did he? Now,
hear what l have to say about him.
To secure his attention you would
have to be presented at court, but It
would be the criminal court, and to do
this you would need to become notable
BY committing a murder. The higher