Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-06-19
A Private Room or the effects Of Punch Drink

One particular dark, damp, dull, dfiZzley
and disagTeeable days in the latter part OF No
yembeT, tall, gaunt, queer looking customer
dressed in blue coal with yellow buttons,
with 'yalIar' striped pantaloons, and call-skin
termina,ions, sat "solitary and alone" in a
little room, siuni0d in a certain little tavern,
in--Slreel, Philadelphia.
Before him was little round table on whose
marble top was mi lille pitcher OF smO.
king punch, 'screchen hot and a wine glass.
The solitary Individual was York-noIhlng
else dear chid--and that was his sc cond
pitcher full-nigh his second empty. One
minute after, and you couldnl-fact yJu see
have squeezed drop out Of either the pitch
er or glass, by forty three pounder hydrauI-
ic press.
York rang the bell. T waiter popped his
head in at the door.
"King, sa3"
"of course did. Il il clearing Off"
"No sa-damp, sa--fog so thick, So, you
could ladle it ourth spoon, Sr Have any
thing saY"
"More punch, and strong"
ayes sa-immedately, sa." '.
The waiter withdrew, and in few seconds
returned with a third pitcher OF punch, and
Yo:k was be inning 10 feel glorious, when, on
raising up his eyes, he saw his own figure in
pier glass, dilectly opposite. He rubbed his
eyes again.
"By thunderP' said he, "here's some fellow
sitting right be fore me, ri swear there's i'm
pudence for you! This is private room, sir,
for my sole accommodation"
He waited n minute, expecting an answer,
but his reflection oaly stared a. him and held
its place.
al was saying, sir, tina. this is my private
room--mine, sir!" cried, York fetching his
voice an actavo higher than i; was before--
No answer was made, and he rang The be fu-
rioasIy. The waiter made his appearance
again.
"Ring, sa 2"
eyes did ring. Didn'tI ask for private
room?"
eyes ca, this is private room, sa."
at isl Why there's Eel Ow sitting right
opposite me now, on the other side Of The ia
Bile. Rot his impudence."
"Tabe ,sa- fellow, sa?"
ayes, there is. Well, just never mind--
Bring on some more punch and couple o.
glasses"
In a very short time The fourth pitcher, with
two glasses made its appearance. f
YoIk filled one fthe glasses, land then shoy
ed it overthe table:
"Will YOU drink?" said he addressing The
figure IN The glass.
"Oh, you won't, eh9 Well, IL will"
And so he die.
'Better drink, CID fellow" continued he
"Your liquor is getting cold, and you look al
is you were fond of the thing"
No answer being returned, York finished tn
pitcher and rang The bell again. In poppet
The waiter.
"Ring, sa ?"
"To b. sure did. Didn't you hear The b
b.bellW
al dill"
"Ddn't order p-private room Eh p
eyes So, this is a private loom, sa."
"a pretty private room this is, with a f-fel
low sitting right opposite that won't take
glass Of punch when il Is offered him, and
Fred nosed man at that. o well, never mind
bring more punch and t-tumbeIs. I'll try hin
again"
Presently pitcher number FIVE with glasse
to match, was BONE in with due stale.
"Beler try some, old boy," said York coax
ingly 10 his double. The reflex merely look
ed good natured hut said nothing.
:, SWELL" continued York with sigh, "i
this isn't most in famous. Never mind, will
drink the punch"
; And so lie did every bit OF it. About fv,
m inutes suficed 10 end the pitcher. Yorl
rang the bell supe.furiously. The waiter cam
again.
"Ring sal"
"Why certain. Why shouldn't 1? Where
the man-who keeps the-placel"
"Boss, So? I'll see i'm sa.
Shortly after mine host, quiet looking Ut
tie man, with a mnttled, calico pattern fac
and shining bald head, made lis appearance
"W-whars TO payl demanded York, riS
ing and assuming an air Of dignity.
"Five puncheS--fve levles, sir."
"There's the money, sir" said York, fork
ing over the coin. "And nowI want 10 know
why, when call for private room you shoul
, put me in here, with somebody else?'
"1here is nobody here bat you and !, SirY'
2 "Nobody! Do you s-spose can't sect d.
you think I'm drunk There, look there! tw
: Of 'em, By iiugo !"
, "Wen, sir, must confess, can't see but u
two.
e "You can't, ehF" And York dragged tn
E landlord to The table. "Look there" contin
ued he, pointing 10 the glass. "Ph-there'
0 the rascals now. One OF ems enough like yo
to be your brother, and the other is the mos
Lord forsaken, meanest looking white man
ever saw.D