Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-01-11
DoDGING THE BILL,

/ VI IA0 OuISS0- 0GaIGS snip - Lle0 IY-
ing in the port of r.. obtained per-
mission Of the first lieutenant to have 8
DAY on shore. 5.@4
The roads we're in good travelling or
der, they determined to hire a,.' team
and run down to B, distance of ten
miles. After donning their best rig, they
went to q livery stable, hired pheton
and span of horses, and were soon of
in high spirits.
Arriving at B, about one O'Clock in
the afternoon. they drove to the City Ho,
tel gave their horses to the hosller with
the injunction to give them good rub.
bing down and plenty of grain, They
then walked into the hotel. and ordered a
private room, with the best dinner the
house could afford.
In the course of half an hour, the SER
want announced their room aud dinner
was ready. They were shown up stairs
to richly furnished apartment, where
the sailors sat down to an entertainment
fit for prince. In fact the poor fellows
had never dreamed Of the like before,
Waiter, bring q couple of bottles Of
champaign-your best"-said ] ack Waters
las good sailor as ever Roated this side
of &" Davy Jones locker"
After finishing their dinner, they went
down to the bar-room, called for cigars,
lit them, and told the landlord they were
going to take a stroll around the city, and
should return about five o'clock.
AS it was near six when they got back.
they determined to set out for RI i'm
mediately, as their word had been given
to be on board by nine O'Clock.
' But shipmates, said Waters, '@you
are not going without your supper, are
you 2"
"of course not, =" answered the land
lord, who had heard Waters remark,
Walk right up stairs. gentlemen. you
shall be provided for Immediately"
But the expense" said Charles Bent
ly. in low tone.
"Oh, never mind that" returned Wa
tiers.
Come let's go up and have some sup,
per. We shall feel better for it,"
The sailors had hardly reached their
room. when waiter broug ght up some hot
mullins, preserves, pies, cakes and other
eatables, very palatable to sailors, who
for the last twelve months had tasted
nothing but junk and hard bread.
"Waiter, fetch US bottle of the oldest
wine you have in the"
The expense" whispered BrentIy.
"D-n the expense-waiter bring the
vine" ordered Waters.
Now said Waters after the waiter
had gone, " our bill will be twenty OF
thirty dollars, which we cannot pay i"
Well what do you propose to do ?''
asked Brently. ready for any emergency.
"That's just the question l was about
to ask you" returned Waters.
Why the ID did you order that
supper and wine, when you knew there
was not a shot in the locker, to pay for
what we had already 2"
d" Thunder and guns. man, you might
as we'll be locked up for large debt a
small one. But stop-L believe have q
plan which. if well managed. may help Us
away from this land shark OF landlord" +"
"What is it 2" asked BrcnIly.
3" 1t is this-I will have the carriage
brought up to the door and order our bill
When the waiter brings it, will Lake it,
put my hand in my pocket as though l
were going to pay it. You, Charley
snatch the bill out Of my hand and say
that you intend to pay the bills. You
Maxwell. claim it your privilege to pay
all expcnses-and you, Frank, do the
same. Then, Brently, throw off your
jacket and threaten to whip the crowd un.
less you are allowed to pay after that
acceed to any proposition | shall make
Follow these Instructions and leave the
rest to me-"
At this moment the waiter entered with
the wine.
"Waiter, have our horses brought tc
the door, and when they are ready, bring
US our BILL"
"Yes, sir"
What do you intend to do, Jack. %
asked BrentIy. KNOCK down the wait
er, seize the bill, rush out. jump into th,
carriage and
"No. nothing of the kind" interrupted
Waters. On the contrary, shall make
the waiter present of half dollar 70
the attention he has paid US. However
all remember your parts and we will sliE
our cables and be off at the rate of lcrty
miles an hour"
When the waiter returned. the compa
ny had just finished their last glass o
wine.
I" All" said Waters, have you tn
bill 2"
Yes, sir" said the waiter. handing il
to him.
" Nineteen dollars and fifty cents. All
right; there is half dollar for you, sir
are our horses at the door 90
Yes. sir, all ready"
Stop !" exclaimed Brently, as Water
thrust his hand into his pocket. eli
pay tie bill" At the same duse snatch
/ ing the bill out os his hand.
. Curse me if you do, though" sai'
Maxwell. {" Tha.'s my privilege"
/ g Look here. shipmates.' said Brently
at the same time throwing off his jaeke
and d lu6Iing up his fists, II don't want Y
sr......l nj ..e.r,. L,.t H. ca ..n.t 2,