The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-09-21
Measuring a Man,s Purse.

measuring the purse oil each guest whom
they receive, and Of bestowing their civili-
ties according to the estimate Of the indi-
v duaPs means. Whoever registers his
name a, hotel, making the least preten-
sions TO style and gentility, viii find an in
ventory OF his possessions taken in the ac-
tive brain Of Boniiace in less time than it
requires TO write bis address. Let per-
son make his appearance, whose pompous
and aldermanic air and sleek appearance
pronounce him Solid and whole regi-
ment Of menials, from landlord to boots,
wait on his steps, to do him service. Or
gentleman, whose fashionable dress and
dashing demeanor bespeak him fast and
rocky is speedily followed by the whole
household troop, from clerk 10 cham
bermaid, all anxious to propitiate his favor
land do him kindness But let a man Of
coarse and humble externaIs, and unassum-
ing demeanor, enter bimselfas plain John
Smith, from the kedntry, and when he calls
for room, he win hardly fail to hear the
order. Show this gentleman to 64o"-al-
ways up seven pairs Of stairs, and on the
back side, overlooking the stable and pig
gerry.
! In the city Of M, in New Hamp-
shire, one ofthe leading hotels-and a good
hotel it is, too, as we willingly testify-is
kept by, he wouldn't ike to see his
name in print, and we win call him Mr..
Surface. Like most other men Of his pro-
fesSion, he measures the purse of each
stranger who comes to his house, and a
wards him entertainment in keeping with
the imagined extent Of his pile. The
portly rich man sits at the head Of the ta-
ble. The rusty poor man sits at the foot.
The man of fashion sleeps in No. !, at the
head of the first fight. The man of bust
ness or labor in the attic. And so, with
out acknowledging partialiiy, he yet tmakes
wide distinction among his patrons in be-
slowing of the politenesss and hospitality to
which all were equally entitled.
Not long since there stoppedatthis house
a strange, whose dress and manners be-
spoke him from the rural districts, ap-
parently man of intelligence and some
knowledge OF city.life and the world, but
of the rudest and most questionable garb
To conceal no part of the story, he wore a
farmers frock This garment denoted TO
the observing eye of the host the insignif-
cance Of his worldly position, and he was
accordingly treated with great Indifference
and lack of attention. SO dispiriting was
the GOODNESS on all sides manifested toward
him, that as the evening wore away he
thought TO enlivcn his mind with glass of
brandy and water. There is no law for
bidding such consultations under such cir
cumstances. And waiting his opportunity,
as group Of factory agents and men of
capital retired from the bar, where they
had been lounging, he stepped up and or
dered drink. Just as he had reached out
his hand to receive the 'snifter' from the
bartender, the landlord approached him
hastily, and with an air of menace exclaim-
ed:
You can't have any liquor in this house,
sir. We don't keep it for such as you
There's a cellar across the street. Go over
there and get your brandy
The man in the frock took the rebuff
meekly; relinquished his dram, and went
out. But if he had need of 'sooiher' be-
fore, he had now double necessity. Sc
down he went into the cellar, which was
kept as an oyster saloon, and demanded
of the dealer in bivalyes brandy and wa
Iter'
The wary oysterman, eyeing his custo-
mer moment, asked rudely,
Where do you stop?'
'Overto the M-House, replied the
unsuspecting countryman.
Then go over there and get your liquor
Old Surface sends his guests over here tc
drink, and then has us prosecuted for sci
ling. We don't thank him for his custom
You can't have anything here, sir
The discounted stranger went out il
wrath.
That night the poor man went to bed
dreadful dry and not little sour. MOI
was his anger the least appeased by being
able to look from his elevated situation
through the windows of the roof 10 til,
peaceful heavens near him. He even init
mated to the waiterwho lighted him to he'd
that he thought the advantage of a cham
Der in such aposition didn't repay the toi
: of getting up to it.
His slumbers were by no means refresh
ling, and he arose the next morning very
cross. His sensibilities had been sorely
wounded. All other affronts he coulC
have borne with patient endurance; but t.
deny man his 'barks' was the sum of al
indignities, and an extreme of injustice
which irritated his temper and provoked
him to unforgiveness
He descended the first flight of stair
just as the gong was sounding for break
fast. Laying aside his hat he stepped in
} to the dining groom, and seated himself nea
the head of the table. Scarcely had h
placed himself in the chair, when the land
: lord touched him on the shoulder, and di
rected him to seat at the extreme foot o
| the table, and at some distance from tn
: other guests. He quietly removed to th
: place pointed out and sat down in silence
. Not until all others had been served, dix
the waters give the slightest attention t.
his wants, and he was justly apprebensiv
: of wholly losing his breakfast. 1t was for
tunate that his usual excellent appetite ha'
l been suddenly lost, else he might have sui
fered for lack of the qualification.
After breakfast he remained few me
ments in the Office, awaiting the entranc
of the landlord; and when the room ha
been filed with boarders and transfer
guests the house. he walked to the des
. and demanded his BILL Without waitin
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