Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-08-15
SOMETHING TO DRINK.

| countries, such demands sting you like gnats.
| On journey let the traveller put faith in his
purse, and without it let no man look for the
| tender mercies of hospitality, or the grateful
smile of kindly farewell. Allow me to set
| forth the state of things which the aborigines
| of the Rhine have created as regards the fee
or pour boire. AS you enter the gates of a
| town you are asked TO what hotel you intend
! to go; they next require your passport, which
| they take into their keeping. The carriage
pulls up in the courtyard of the post house;
the conductor, who has not addressed word
TO you during the whole journey, opens the
door and thrusts in his filthy hand-ssSome-
thing to drinh.'' A moment afterwards comes
the position, who, though prohibited by the
regulations, looks hare at you, as much as to
say, ssSomething 10 drink, 90 They now
load the diligence, and some vagabond mounts
the roof and throws down your portmanteau
and carpet-b bag-'sSomething TO drink! ~
Another puts your things into a barrow, and
inquring the name of your hotel, away he
goes, pushing his barrow. Arrived at the ho
tel, the host insinuatingly inquiries your wish
es, and the following dialogue takes place,
which ought to be written in all languages on
all the doors of all the rooms.
''Good day, SIR
.sSir, L want ROOM"
s'Good, Sir: (ba,ris out) No. for this gen
tIeman.'
ssSr, wish to dine
'sDirectly, Sir,'' &c.
You ascend to your room, No. 4, your bag
gentleman appears.
ssYo our luggage, Sir-Something 10 drink"
Another now appears, stating that he car
ried your baggage UP stairs.
"GOod, - say you, 81 will not forget you
with the other servants when L leave the
house,
.sSir,'' replies the man, 81 do not belong to
the understanding TO drink
You now set out to walk, and fine church
presents itself Eager to enter, you look
around, but the doors are shut ..CompeHe
iafrare,'' says holy writ, according to which
the priests ought to keep the doors open. The
beadles shut them, however, in order to gain
sssomething 10 drink An old woman, per-
ceiving your dilemma, points to the bell-han-
die by the side of low door; you ring, the
beadle appears, and on your asking to see the
church, he takes up bundle of keys and pro-
ceeds towards the principal entrance, when,
just as you are about to enter, you feel tug
at your sleeve, with renewed demand for
sssomething 10 driak."
You are now in the church ssWhy is that
picture covered with green clotha" is your
first exclamation.
e.Because it is the finest We possess,'' re-
plies the beadle.
$50 much the worse,'' is your reflection
esIn other places they exhibit their best pain
tings, here they conceal their chefd' d'eurres."
esBy whom is the picture 20
sBy Rubens."
81 wish to see it,
The beadle leaves you moment, and re-
turns with a grave-looking parsonage, who,
| pressing a spring, the picture is exposed to
view; but upon the curtain reclosing, the usu-
| al significant sign is made for ssson,ething TO
drink, - and your hand returns to the pocket
.Resuming your progress in the church, still
conducted by the beadlc, you approach the
grating of the choir, before which stands a
magnificently attired individual, no less than
the Suisse, waiting your arrival. The choir is
| his particular department., which, after having
viewed, your superb cicerone makes you a
pompous bow, meaning, as plain as bow can
speak, sssomething TO drink"
You now arrive at the vestry, and wonderful
to say, it is open; you enter, when 10! there
| stands another verger, and the beadle respect
fully withdraws, for the verger must enjoy his
| T.; Xo,, of
sacramental cups, bishops mitres, and in
some glass case, lined with dirty satin, the
| bones of some saint dressed out like an opera
dancer. Having seen all this, tho usual GER
emony of sSsomething to drink'' is repeated,
and the beade resumes his functions.
You find yourself at the foot of the belfry.
and desire to see the view from the summit
The beadle- gently pushes open door, and
having ascended about thirty steps, your pro-
gress is intercepted by closed door. The
beadle having again departed, you knock, and
the bell-ringer makes his appearance, who
begs you to walk up-ssSoniething TO drink.''-
1t is some relief to your feelings that this mar
does not attempt to follow you as you make
your way upwards to the top of the steeple.
Having attained the object of your wishes
you are rewarded by superb landscape, al
immense horizon, and a noble blue sky; whel
your enthusiasm becomes suddenly chilled b.
the approach of an individual who haunts you
. buzzing unintelligible words into your ears
till at last you find out that he is especiall
charged to point out to strangers all that ]