East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-04-12
Guests at the Red Lion.

1t is now nigh on for ten years since
The Red Lion and i parted company
The Red Lion was once the best house in
Imstonc, but the railway knocked up
the coaches, and that knocked mp the bus
mess, and was giad to get away whnne
had anything to get away with.
My wife (God bless her y | shall never
see again in this world. She was very
lame, and couldn't getabout without help;
50 she sat for the most part in the little
snnggcry behind the bar, which had fit
ted up for her as nice as money could
make it. Her bird cage hung from the
ceiling, and iii warm corner near the
fire there was hassock which was the
special property of her tabby. Opposite
to where my wife sat was little mahog-
any cupboard let into the wall, the door
OF which was generally half open, so that
when she looked up from her sewing or
knitting, she could see ranged on the
shelves the famous old china, which her
grandmother gave her for wedding
present; and above it, the silver tea pot,
the gilt caudle-cup, &C. and at the top
of all, the great punch-bowl, which was
used only on our grand occasions; all OF
which articles she used to take much
pleasure in looking at. Her room was
divided from the bar by a glass door,
which she could open and shut at pleas
urc; so that when any friend or acquaint-
auce dropped in, she could if so minded,
have a chat with them; and though she
sat there day after day and month after
month, it's my opinion that she knew
more about the Tuustone people and
their private affairs, than any other per-
son IN the town, except, perhaps, my
head waiter, Jim Topping. y very de-
cent sort Of fellow he was-middle
aged, brown, lean, with stoop of the
shoulders, and only one eye; but tlla, one
as sharp a. a gimlct, and equal to tho
two eyes of most people. Poor fellow
he has been dead these seven years and
lies in TunStone church-yard, with the
finest double daisy growing on his grave
that could be had for love or money. 1t
was flower he was always fond of, so |
had one planted over him out of compli-
ment to his memory.
1t was one December afternoon, the
very winter we had that long black frost,
when | heard Jim talking to my wife.
give put them into number nine, "
says he, "and a very nice couple they
seem to be. Outlets and chicken for
dinner, Mn"
Where do they come from, Jim?"
says I.
"From the railway station" says Jim ;
"furthcr than that | can't say; name on
the luggage is Oldwink."
1t was not long before went up stairs
to pay my respects. When l entered the
room the gentleman was standing with
his hands under his coat-tails, looking
very earnestly through his spectacles at
print over the chimney piece.
"Aiter Gainsborough, eh?" he was say
ing. "Great painter, Gainsborongh.-
This is in his best style. Background
well filed in; side lights skillfully intro
duccd pyramidal grouping strictly OBJ
served. Full of merit, my dear. A won
derful painting. The original is in the
gallery of my friend Lord Papyrus.-
All, landlord, is that you?"
The speaker was portly, well-built,
middle-agcd gentleman. His checks and
chin were we'll filed out, and hc had a
hearty color in his face; he had hearty
voice too--rich and full, that sounded as
If he had a sugar plum always in his
mouth. lie had not great deal of hair
left, but what he had was brushed and
frizzled and made the most OF. A large
old-fashioned brooch held his white cravat
in It's place; and his feet were incased in
shoes and CATERS. He had we'll fed,
comfortable look, such as a landlord likes
to see; and | set him down ut first sight
either for retired doctor, Clergyman
out for holiday, or gentleman living
on his private means.
The lady was considerably younger
than her husband. She was rather sharp
featured, rnd rather hard of hearing. /
think, too, that she painted little; but
many ladies do that, and are thought
none the worse for it.
ave think of staying a few days
with you, Jobson, if we are suited. We