Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-03
gE[ilstellantol1s,
From the Now Orleans Crescent.

A man may be first rate fellow, as Matt
Peel used to say, and yet not know how to
keep hotel. If ability in hotel keeping be
test of good fellow, there is one man for
whom we can certainl vouch as all sorts of a
good fellow. He keeps hotel, or country
tavern, if you will, away up in the interior OF
Arkansas, somewhere. The way We happen
ed to hear of him was this:
Several weeks ago two we'll known gentle.
men of this city went travelling, for the benefit
of their health, and concluded to try the ia.
nous Hot Springs of old "Rackensack." ."
There being neither river, railroad, nor canal
to take body to the Springs, our travellers
hired horses at their point of debarkalion, to
ride in that manner to their destination. They
unluckily did not follow the right road, or else
there was no right road to follow; at any rate
they got lost, and after fatiguing days ride
through barren and nhospitable wilderness,
they came to neat little building, standing
alone in the woods, with farming appendages
around. Our travellers halted and hallooed.
A great, tall, raw-bonsd giant Of q fellow step
ped out.
'Can we get lodgings here tonight" asked
one of the horsemen. :,
"Well, gentlemen, ! reckon ye KIM, saia
the big one, and welkim to boot. Ihis Is q
hotel" =,
The travellers, although they did not like
the cut of the landlords jib, dismounted, we're
relieved of their horses, and were soon regallns
themselves over gord country supper OF corn
dodgers, bacon, milk, fried chickens, and
coffee. 1t was regular country supper, but
with their whetted appe,ites our invalids en-
joyed it amazingly.
After supper the gigantic landlord sat on
the porch with them talking, laughing, crack
Ing Jokes, and treating occasionally to some
good old rye, of which he appeared to have-a
pleutifu! stock. The inralids set him down
for q regular "brick," and were still better
pleased when lighted at last to nice soft teath'
or beds. with the whtest and sweetest OF sheets.
81 tell you what it is, BILL" said Tom, as
thew were sinking gently into the embrace OF
Somnus, "this fellow keeps nice place, ii 1t
/, out here in the woods"
"Thats fact" replied Bill, sand sup,
pose its cheap place, too; but like 1t, ana d
I'm willing to pay the full city figure on 1t.
Next morning our travellers were aroused
BY their ugly but affabIe landlord, and regaled
with a breakfast, if possible, still more appeti'
zing than the last nights supper had been
The horses were brought round and it was
evident that they too bad been well cared for.
One of the travellers pulled out his wallet, and
said to the big entertainer:
"Well, landlord, you keep first-rate little
hotel out here; better than we expected to
find. We are much pleased with it, and now
want to know what the damage is"
Tba landlord drew himself up, and putting
., yerv solemn look, said, "Gentlemen, I'm
pleased to hear yer satisfied. The bill IS two
HUNDRED and seventy.fve dollars
nHow much did you say, sir? p asked the
travellers, both startled. ,.,,
The big one, drawing himself up l,tte
higher, and looking still more solemn, rePleai
distinctly and emphatically, "Two hundred
and seventy-6ve dollars, gentlemen"
"Do hear you right, sir? do you really
mean to charge us two hundred and seventy,
five dollars for two meals, and lodging, and
horsefeed2" Gentlemen" said the land,