North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-06-08

BY sOLITAIR z.

seated upon the porch of one of our old
fashionable hotels, in large eastern village,
one bright Monday morning, cogitating how
in the nature Of things, it was possible for
him to compass dinner. The lonfi score
unpaid, which stood recorded on the books
within, precludsd the idea of getting one
there without the tin. and numerous search.
es through sundFy pockets about his person
were unrcwarded by single sinner. The
case was desperate, but great minds are al
ways equal to great emergencies, and Ton
was Of that order. His coat had been reno
waited by scourer, for whom he had written
q love letter, his hat had been ironed by q
good na:urad hatter who had enjoyed his
custom in better days. new coat of japan
varaish had been laVi>had upon his cane, his
dicky was passabIe, and no gentleman would
thnk Of examining the eXtremities of his
covering, or pry into the shifts he had been
pnt TO for a shirt. Tom thought himself
passable, and he resolved to pass off for a
dinner, ifpossible. A stranger Ioiling easily
on a eettce Before him lonked vulnerable,
and Tom, approaching him in very bland
and friendly manner, remarked
"Exausc me, ST., bnt you loos so much
like an old friend of mine, J. B, who
has resided for wears in the South, that
can't help addressing you"
/" | an from the South, sir" answered the
Stranger courteousIv, bat not the person
| va Il, Of I u nd
am pleased to encounter friend of his"
That's It," SAID Tom to himself, "got
him as easy as rolling off a log"
An animated conversation ensned, which
ended by Toms being asked to dine, and
when the gong proclaimed The table spread,
in walked the stranger and Tom, arm in
arm. large as life AMI twice as natural lie
called The waiter. with an air Of ease, passed
the strangers wine with friendly freedom
laughed rnu>'csl|y, jested with spirit, wiped
his mouth with grace, AMI l.. short, Com
pletely captivaled the southerner. During
the pe od of Toms luXuriaing, he was OBJ
served by the landlord, who, indignant, sent
a servant to order him from the table Tom
had come II over him So many odd din
ncrs, without shadow Of prospect Of pay,
that he would stand it no longer. The ser
want approached. whispered in his ear, and
| stood Off to give hlm room to move. Tom
clutchc;i the wine bottle, with the intention
! Of hurting it at his head, but altered his pur.
pos, and poured ont another glass, drank i.
off looked dagsers at the servant, and in
moment more smiled cJnfi lentaliy upon his
! friend. ...... -.
FOUL you believe it, said Tom to the
Souiherner, that slDce my absence from
the city fer few days past, rival house of
| ., shipping firm has whispered the possi
bility Of our failure and this rascally land
lord having heard the ca!umny, has insulted
me ne re at the table by sending servant to
| demand the trltling sum owe him.
The Southerner was burning with indigna,
tion.
1t is too humi liating," ADDED Tom, " not
dreaming OF such an outrage, | am entirely
unprovided at the moment"
Here my dear fellow" promptly replied
!
use of it without hesitation"
You're very kind" said Tom. very-I
will but borrow this 81 900 bill for a mo-
ment-I know the rascal can't change it !"
With an air of offended dignity. Tom ap-
preached the Office of the hotel, the landlord,
| frowning with anger, stood at the desk, the
offender q dinner OUT" put his hand to his
eyes, as if hiding deep emotion, and then ad-
| dressing, the landlord, in grief-strieken
voice, he said -
| 81 never dreamed of such an insult from
! you sir, at such time, too just as my uncle
| in the South has expired-aud his agent
with me to deliver up the portion bcqucath-
ed to met iT-it sir, cannot express in
language my feelings. Take, out of that the
paltry sum owe Won, ,"-throwing down the
$1,000 biIl-and henceforth never will dark
en- your door. Just at time, too,'' he fur
ther added, " when iniemie6 to make your
house my home, and endeavor to make some
return for your iorbearancc. II is too mich
- my feelings are leceratetl," and here he
became almost uyerpowered by emotion.
The strip Of Grape around his hat-put
there to hide the greasy band-the $1,000
bill, and the renovated coat, which looked
like new on the ppssessor of such sum, all
assured the landlord that he had been hasty.
He therefor denied the iRdignity straight,
said 1t was an impertinance of his sersanf,
! who had twice be fore offended his best
guests by his nsoience, Gfsnred Tom he
would discharge the fellow .forthwith-pGsh-
back the ST. 900 b,ll, and begged he would
forget the clrcumstance-indeed, he felt
shocked that such an outrage had been per-
petrated upon his Oldest friend and custo-
mer. These warm expressiaps modified