Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1861-04-13
A PRIVATE ROOM.


A PRIVATE ROOM.
One particularly dark, damp. dull driz
zly, disagreeabIe day in the latter part of
November, tall, gaunt, queer-looking
customer, dressed in blue coat with brass
buttons, with yellow striped pantaloons,
and calfskin terminations, sat solitary and
alone in little room, situated in GER
tain little restaurant in this city
Before him was little round table on
whose marble top was mot little" pitch
er of smoking punch, screeching hot, and
wine glass. The solitary individual was
lork-nothing else-and that was his
second pitchertul-nigh his second empty.
One minute after you couldn't-tact you
see-have squeezed drop out of either
pitcher Or glass by a hydraulic press.
York rang the bell. The negro waiter
popped his head in at the door.
Ring, sa?
"Df course did. Is it clearing of?"
"No, sa; damp sa; fog SO thick YOU
could ladle 1t out with a spoon, sa. Have
anything sa?'
More punch, and strong"
eyes, sa-immediatelv
The waiter withdrew. and in a few sec
onds returned with the third pitcher Of
punch, and York was beginning to feel
glorious, when on raising his eyes he saw
his own figure in the pier-glass opposite.
he rubbed his eyes again.
by thunder r. said he, "here's some
fellow sitting right before me. I'll swear
there 5 impudence for you This is a pri.
vate room, Sir, for my sole accommodate
ton"
lie waited q minute exDncting an an
swer, but his reflection only starred ut
him. and held its peace.
Il was saying, sir, that this is my pri-
vate room-nine, sir cried York, fetch
ing his voice an octave higher than it was
before.
No answer, and he rang curiously. The
waiter made his appearance again.
'Ring, sa ?"
"Yes, did ring. Didn't l ask for
private room r
"Ges, sa; this is private room"
1T is? Why, there's "a fellow sitting
right opposite to me now, on the other
side OF the table. Rot his impudence."
Table, sa--fellow sa ~
"Ges, there is, Well Just never mind
Bring in some more punch and couple
Of glasses
In a very short time the fourth pitcher.
with two glasses made their appearance.
York filled one of the glasses, and then
showed it over to the other side OF the ta-
bic.
"Will you drink ?" said he, addressing
the figure in the glass.
"Oh, You won't eh ? Well, II will"
And SO he did
"better drink, old fellow continued
York, your liquor is getting cold, and
you look Us if YOU was fond OF the thing
No answer being returned, York rang
the bell again.
In popped the waiter.
King, sa :?
40 be sure did. Didn't you hear the
bb-bell?' ?'
Il did, sa.'
Didn't | order a p.p>prvate room
Eh?"
"les, sa; this is private room, sa
"a pretty private room this, with fell
low sitting right opposite, that went take
a glass OF punch with you when it's Offer
ed--and red dnosed man at that Oh.
well, never mind; bring some tumblers
and punch. I'll try him again"
Pitcher number five was accordingly
brought in witEuue state.
B-be'ter try some, old boy said he,
coaxingly. to his double.
The reflex merely looked good natured,
but said nothing
"Well,' continued York, with sigh,
''if this isn't most Infamous Never mind,
I'll drink the punch
And SO he did, every bit of it. About
five minutes sutliced to end the pitcher
York rang the bell uperiluously
Waiter came.
"Rng, SAP"
"Cer,ainly. Why shouldn't I? Where's
the man who k-keeps the place p
"Boss, sa III send him, sa."
Shortly after, the host, a quiet little
man, with a mottsd, calico pattern face,
and shining bald head, made his appear
ance.
"W.what's to pay?" demanded York,
rising and assuming an air Of dignity
"Five punches-ive lcvies, SIR
There's the money, sir" said York,
torking over the coin. "And now want
to know why, when | c.call for a private
room, you put me in here with somebody
else p
There's nobody here but you and -
Nobody! Do you think can't see
Dye think Pm drunk There, lock there
Two of EN-, by jingo r
"Well, sir, must confess, don't see
but us two
"1ou can't eh? p And York dragged
the landlord to the table "Look, there,
then there the rascals still, now. One
OF 'em is enough like you to be your
brother-and tn the other is the most God
forsaken, mean looking.whte man tina,
ever saw"
The ground South Carolina wishes to |