Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-17
LOUISVILLE.
Reminiscence OF n Tifp-A Missing
Carpet-Bax and the CONSEQUENCES
Thc Gait House BaII-Person-aIs--
Model Newspaper House.

Model Newspaper House.
LouIsvILLE HOTEL.
LOUISVILLE. MAY is. 1881
Special Cores pondence PUBLIC LEDGER
AL ABOARD" W
A small party of Memphis people lei
for this city Wednesday afternoon, oster
sibly to attend the great Gait House bal
Thursday night The road was kim
enough to pass all persons invited free
both going and returning. Hence tn
invitations were generally accepted, ant
the ball was more q pretext for the tril
with some of us than the real cause
Among those on board were Dr. Pau
Otey, Mr.. David Hadden, Mr.. Ed. Topp
Mrs. Colonel Topp and her younges
daughter, Miss Bette Vance and hel
sister, Mrs. Martin; Mr.. James Speed
and his sister, Miss Speed Mr.. E. Whit
more, of the LEDGER, Colonel Gus Sig
naigo,, of the Grenada Sentinel Mr.
Higbee, en- route to Philadelphia, Cap
tain William Anderson, your CORES.
pendent and some others whose names
Just now escape me. A number oil
persons had started the previous
day. They were in earnest pleasure
seekers, and had time to recruit their
strength and to dream they dwelt in
marble halls two nights at the Gait House
before the well-advertised inauguration
of this imposing pile. Major Waldran,
the whole-souled whole-hearted, ubiqui-
tous conductor, was in charge of the
train Thursday, and probably on that
account every body seemed in good
humor. What difference there is in
conductors. We know some who come
along with an imperative air and scan
each passengers face and ticket as if he
owned the train and was looking for a
few victims to put off at the first steep
embankment. But there are some
notable exceptions, such as we met on
this trip-conductors who are courtiers
in manners, and seem to confer an actual
favor in taking up the tickets and an
swering all sorts Of original questions
ROMANCE OF clRPET-BAG.
The trip was marked by one or two
incidents that cannot fail to be instruc.
tive to travellers, especially those who
are young and sentimental. A
handsome young man, who had been
looking forward to the ball with
great expectations" for some weeks, dis
covered shortly after the train left that
his carpet bag was wanting. 1t con-
tanned new pigeon tailed. brass but.
toned, silver lined coat, with pants and
vest to match. The style had lately
been imported by cable from Paris, or
the other side of Paris, for this particu-
lar occasion; while others rode to Louis
vile that young man walked. He walked
the train, alternately kueadiug his hair
with his fingers, and telegraphed back
from each station for his clothes. There
are nineteen stations in all, and he tele-
graphed from each one where an opera.
tor could be found awake. Finally, at
louisville be reoaiyed a oonsoling dis
patch as follows: Four clothes are safe
in the ticket Office al 2794 Main street."
After much tribulation our friend sue.
ceeded In borrowing very fac suit
from a gentleman just one foot taller
than himself. 1t is unnecessary to say
that he made fne figure, and by dint
of standing on his tip-toes and keeping
his cheeks puffed out with air, he filled
the clothes well until supper time, when
be took in something more substantial
than air.
THE NEW HOTEL.
The Gait House is the finest hotel
structure on the continent, and with two
exceptions is the largest. Everything |
about it is complete and elegant 1t cost
about one million dollars, or five thou
sand dollars per room, The rooms,
was surprised to find, are rather small,
but are elegantly furnished. Mr., Maine,
late OF the overtoa Hotel In Memphis, is
one of The principal clerks. The build |
ing is located on the CT rner of First and
Main streets, two squares above the site
Of the old Gait House. This is entirely
TOO high up town 10 become a popular
locality. Some of the principal stock
holders own great deal Of town pro-
perry in this vicinity, hence the site
chosen. Property may go pp little, but
The city will not, for it ia moving in the |
other direction-toward the grand bridge !
now building across the Ohio river.
INAUGURAL BALL.
The ball was attended by about one
thousand persons, representing the chiv
airy and beauty and intellect of Ken
iucky. Several other States and the
cities of the country we're also
represented, The management was ad.
mirable, the arrangements we're perfect,
and nothing could be criticised save, per-
haps, the supper, which was rather light
and scarcely satisfactory. Wine flowed
freely at five dollars per bottle. Among
The distinguished persons present / no.
iiced General Beauregard, George d.