Mistaken Nationality.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 218, 15 September 1888, Page 3 (Supplement)

Mistaken Nationality.

«Yes, as a rule, the Englishman is a grum companion,' said an Arkansas man who had just returned. from a European tour.,: -I boarded a train in^Lpndpn bqund for Edinburgh, Scotland, Shortly after entering the compartment I saw that I was to have a travelling companion, for a tall heavy msn entered and' took a seat opposite to me. He seemed to be nervously afraid that I would speak to him-r-aeemed tp rggopjae my nationality, and to dread my questions. 'You needn't be anxious, thought I as the train sped- along, *- for I would see you jn Jericho before I would speak to you..; Confound an Englishman, ahy_way. Whenever I ventured to look at hiia, he \vould look away, and then, bless hioj, whenever he?d looked at me I'd look away. , I was teaching him an American could hold his' topgue. Noon came, '•:■ *»d we took pur Juncheon baskets: and; ate< in silence. The scenery was beautiful, the grassy slopes, graceful hills, and majestic wees Planned me, and I was almost dying to say somethfi g, but>, as an old tjegro mammy would express it, I let my yidduls |$ge mouth; I became nervous. I wanteoT to fight somebody, and that somebody was a hateful 'Engliehmani * Oh, if I only had you off sojine place whe,re no one could see us I would make you speakj' I mused. -At last, late inithe evening, the train reached Edinburgh. I felt reiieved whefl I left th's train and got into the cab. 'What are you waiting for?' I aslced the driver. • Nuthergentleman/ The confounded Englishman, unable, ;t seoined,' to get another conveyance, was 'forced' $o , rij|e with me. TJiis amused mci for I knew it nearly killed him.- :' We Ml^d alpfag the street without glancing'at each pther. ' Well, I'll sweai-,' I mused. .: The sullen fellov/ and I .were going to stop at thfe same hotel. We sat near each other at supper, and after the meal we.Tiappeped,, to sit ftear each other on the verandah, I looked at him with a frown:: ' You needn't be scared jhe remarked; ' I am not going to ipeak to you.' ' And I ani not goipg to speak to you either.' ' You infernal Englishmen,' said he," are so particular, .1 thought I'd Show you that an American can ride all day. with ypu and not talk.' 'Who's an Englishman?' I exclaimed. 'You are,'-'said he.: t Not by a jugful. I am from Arkansav^;'. 'You are?' he eprihgirig, |p his feet. ' I'm from Texas. ■■' ' Shake,' 6aid I. We shook arid laughed^ and laughed and shook. ; ' I've got sometWng,' said I, 'that you can't get here.' 'What is it'? 'A bottle of cocktail. >; .♦'l>yie>: got ,bne and some plug tobacco. Come on and let's paint the town.'—'Arnold Hotts.'s' ...;.;••'.".