Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-10-24
"DOING" A LANDLORD.
by SOLITAIRE,

ON y. H., genius, whose ideas OF
life were on such IA magnificent scale that
they outran his interest, capital and all, was
seated upon the porch of one of our fashion,
able hotels, in large eastern rHiage, one
bright Monday morning, coeialing how, in
the nature Of things, it was possible for him
TO compass dinner. The long score un.
paid, which stood recorded on the books
within, precudcd the idea of getting one
there without the tin, and numerous search.
es through sundry pockets about his person
were unrewarded by single sinner. The
case was desperate, but great minds are al
ways equal to great emergencies, and Tom
was of that order. Ills coat had been reno.
waited by a scourcr, for whom he had written
a love letter, his h I ad been ironed by a
good naured halter, who had enjoyed his
custom in better days, new coat of japan
varnish had be' n l'vshed upon his cane,
his dicky was passabe, and no gentleman
would think of examining the ertrcmitics of
his covering, or pry into the shifts he had
been put to for shirt. Tom thought him.
self passabe, and he resolved 10 pass Off for
n dinner, if possible. A stranger lolIng
easily on setice near him looked vulnerable
and Tom. approaching him in very bland
and friendly manner, remarked:
Excuse me, sir, but You look so much
like an old friend of mine, J. B, who
has resided for yeas in the South, that
can't help addressing you"
81 am from the South, SIR" answered the
stranger conrteously. "but not the person
you speak of-know him however and am
pleased 10 encounter friend of his"
That's it." said Tom to himself, "got
him as easy as rolling ol1'a log !"
An animated conversation ensucd, which
ended by Tom being asked to dine, and
when the gong proclaimed the table spread,
in walked the stranger and Tom, arm in
arm, large as life and twice as natural. He
called the walters with an air OF ease, passed
the strangers wine with friendly freedom,
laughed unsteady, jested with spirit, wiped
his mouth will, grace, and in short, COM
pletely capivated the Southcrner. During
the period Of Toms luxuraling, he was OBJ
served by the landlord, who, indignant, sent
a servant TO order him from the table. Tom
had "come il" over him for so many odd
dinners, without shadow of prospect for
pay, that he would stand it no longer. The
servant approached, whispered in his ear,
and stood of TO give him room to move
Tom clenched the wine bottle, with the in.
tention of hurting it at his head, but altered
his purpose, and poured out another glass,
drank il of, looked daggers at the servant,
and in moment more smiled confidence
upon his friend,
"Would you believe it," said Tom 10 the
Soulherrer. that since my absence from the
city for few days past, rival house of our
shipping firm has whispered the possibility
of our failure, and this rascally landlord hav.
ing heard the calumny has nsuled ne here
al table by sending "A servant to demand the
trifling sum owe him."
The Southerner was burning with indig.
nation.
ut is too humilialng,' added Tom, mot
dreaming Of such an Outrage, am entirely
unprovided al the moment
Here, my dear fellow, promptly prefer.
ed his friend, there is my pocket book,
make use of il without hestalion.'
you're very kind said Tom, very, !
will but borrow this $1,000 bill for mo.
ment-l know the rascal can, change il =
With an air of offended dignity, Tom ap.
preached the Office of the hotel, the landlord,
frowning with anger, stood at the desk, the
as if hiding deep em6Iahi, iii aha ! addissssss.
ing the landlord in grief sirickened voice,
he said -
never dreamed of such an insult from
you sir, at such time, too, Just as nv uncle
in the South has EXPIRED and his agent with
me to deliver up The portion bcHueaihed to
met is-it-sir, | cannot express in Ian.
gnaee my feelings. Take out of that the
pallry sum owe you,'-throwing down the
$1,000 biIl,-'and hencefor,h I never will
enter your door. Just at a time, too he
further added, 'when had intended TO ma q
your house my home, and cndeavor TO max e
some return for your furbearance. Ii stoo
much-my feelings are laccra,ed, and here
lie became almost overpowercd by emotion.
The strip of Grape around his hai-pu,
there TO hide the greasy band-the 81 600
bill, and the renovated coat, which looked
like new on the possrssor of such sum, all
assured the landlord that he had been hastv
lie, therefore, denied the indigniiy straight
said that il was an inpertinencc of his ser.
want, who had twice before offended his best
guests by his icsolence, assured Tom he
would discharge the fellow forhwiih-pusI.
ed back 10 him the ST 900 bill, and begged
he would forget the crcums,ance-indeed,
he felt shocked that such nm outrage had been
perpetratcd upon his oldest friend and GUS
TONER. These warm expressions modified
Toms wrath, and folding up his bill he walk
ed back, resumed his seat, returned the bill
to the Souiberncr, merely remarking tina, he
had drought the landlord 10 his feelings and
rheerfuly slipped little iced champaigne.-
As he left the table arm in arm with his