The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-07-23
BY JOHN w. RAPER

WIN OuI ancestors, cousins ana
Such, in Great Britain
" LASGOW, Scotland: Here am,
II hick in a strange land And
foreigner. The Scotch aboard
the ship told US Americans we would
not he foreigners in Great Britain;
that we would be Americans, much
different form being foreigners. But
official Britain reminds us pleasantly
enough that we are aliens.
An immigration officer came on
board down the Clyde. five or six
hours before we reached our Glasgow
dock, and all passengers were instruct.
ed to pass before him in line, that he
might examine our passports.
AS we formed in line, ship steward
sang out, British subjects will be ex-
amined first" and when we half dozen
Americans dropped out, two or three
Scots, who were returning from a tour
of the North. gave US the well-known
American 'razzberry."
TO the rear, you aliensl Foreign
ers last!' they called out. The Scotch
learned on the boat, have a way in
theis razzing that enables you to
laugh with them. But 1t was a re-
minder. We are foreigners.
The immigration officer read nv
passport two or three times as care.
fully as though 1t was the first he had
ever seen. Then he asked: How
long do you expect to be here?"
i told him about two months. where
upon he gave me card. upon which
were instructions regarding register.
ing with the police in case 1 remained
more than two months, and handed
me a debarkatiou ticket. remarking
pleasantly, II hope you have an
enjoyable visit in Great Britain"
Tells All His Secrets
AT the hotel l was reminded again
that was a foreigner. 1 signed a
printed form. wrote down information
as to my citizenship. birthplace. age
residence, street and number, profes-
sion, reason for being In Great Britain
my destination and address by which I
could be reached while in the country
But American or foreigner. l am
doubly a hick. I have been in Scot
land only an hour half of which
nave spent walking through down
town streets Of Glasgow ana standing
on the corner watching the parade.
! am a hick I wear a soft hat IN.
stead ola cap or sIT hat. as the ma.
uves dc. My trousers are creased
not any too we'll creased for CIeve
land-but here they are conspicuous
the only creased pair in sight. Ths
cloth is smooth. instead Of being a
shaggy tweed and absurdly light in
weight compared to the summer
clothes that I see now and then on
Scot. though mine Is winter weight
at home.
My shoes are winter shoes at home
heavy ones, you would say. but IN
Glasgow they are light Bctn If
them together viii weigh no more
than one Scotch shoe Of the same
size. And their style is wrong. The
prevailing style IS a square toe. some.
thing like the box-toed boot or shoe
that was popular In the United States
in the early eighties.
Wear Tight Collars
My collar is too tight II is not
tight at home, but should be three
sizes larger. perhaps four. There
should be room enough between nv
collar and the neckband Of my SHIRT
to drop golf ball
Then. too. I am wearing a heavy
overcoat, and incidentally shivernr
all over. A few Scotchmen are wear
ing light raincoats. but only a Few
A few have sweaters under their coats,
but more walk along with under
coats open, and no vests
Scores Of boys wear short pants
nos much longer than trunks, and
short socks. IS far below the knees
as the pants are above.
Girls Of or years are dressed
In French socks and skirts of sum-
mer material, not more than IL
inches long. for all the world like a
little American girl on a July day
But notice that mother, who is
with daughter, wears a coat. furs
and wooden stockings
Keep to Left
Traffic keeps TO the left. 1 have
known that rule for years but al
ways look to the right. I expect to
be bumped in the eye sooner or later
by a taxi
l keep staring at the chimneys and
the chimney tiles on these three and
fouNstory Glasgow skysorapers,
when I am not staring-not too i'm
politely I hope-at pedestrians
While am rubbering at the
chimneys l hear the roar of some
thing over the stone block pave
ment. There is a rattle of machin-
cry. Turning away from the chin
neys, l see a strange choo-choo car
coming up the street. 1t choo-choos
past me and I watch 1t, open
mouthed, until 1t is out of sight
Anybody would know l am a hick.
Verify, l am a hick, and in
strange land.
NEXT-Oddities of Scotch ITEM
perance hotel attract Mr.. Raper's
comment in his next article, the tiny
"hft," and the mammoth room KEY.
and bright Glasgow girl clerk who