The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-11
Eli Perkins.
NEW YEARS CALLS.

FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL, l a. m. Jan. p
1 don't feel like writing to-day, my head
aches. 1 made calls yesterday-made 125
calls. finished them about twelve O clock
an hour ago.
had my call list written off, and commen-
ced at Sixtieth street, and came down. My
idea was to make 125 calls of five minutes
each. This would take 625 minutes, or ten
hours. think I did it. worked hard. /
was an intermittent perpetual motion. did
all that anybody could do If any fellow says
he made 126 calls, he-well, he is guilty of
libel. tried it. made my 125th call with
my eyes closed, and at my 126th, / swooned
on the hall stairs. Nature was exhausted.
Oh! but wasn't it fun! 1t is nothing to make
calls after you have been at it a spell. The
last twenty calls were made with one eye
closed. l was actually taking mental nap
at the time. My tongue talked right straight
ahead, from force of habit. Talking came as
easy as ordinary respiration. Ali had to
do was to open my mouth, and the same
words tumbled out:
"Hap-new year Miss Smittep'
"Ah Mr. Perkins! Pm delighted-,'
May you have man hap returns-bye-
byp'
''But arn't you going to drink to-
'sThank-speasure (drank) may you live
thousand yeas. By-by'' (sliding into the
hall and down front steps,.
l started at noon. Made first call on young
lady.
She said, "you have many calls to make.
Won't you fortify yourself with little
sherryp'
said would, and drank small glass.
Called next on married lady on Fifth
avenue.
She said, ''Let's drink to William''-you
know Will is off making calls on the girls
GAN right, Mrs. Mason;'' then we drank
some nice old port to absent William.
On FOrty-ninth street met sainted Vir-
ginia mother, who had some real old Virginia
egg-nog.
Very nice Southern egg-nog. Abused the
Yankees, and drank two glasses with Virgin
la mother.
On Forty-sixth street met lady who had
some nice California wine Tried it. Then
went across the street with Democratic friend
to say New Years, and get some of old Skin
ner's 1886 brandy. Got it. Mrs. Skinner
wanted us to drink to Skinner. Drank to
Skinner, and ate lobster salad.
Met friend, who said:
''Lets run in and see Coe, the temperance
man."
Coe said:
"Ah! happy time! Let's drink to my
wife"
!. Drank bottle of champagne to Mrs. Coo
then drank to children.
Drove round to Miss Thompson's on Fifth
avenue. The Thompson's are famous for
rum punch. Tried two glasses with Miss
Thompson. Very happy. House looks love
| ly. Ate brandy peaches. Good many lights.
Pretty girls quite numerous. Drank their
health. Drank claret. Then drank Roman
punch. Went out, leaving Dunlap hat for
a Knox, and a twelve-dollar umbrella in the
hat-rack.
Happy thought took Charley Brown in
the carriage. Charley said, Lets drop in
on the Madison avenue Masons." "All right
Dropped in. Miss Mason says, Have some
nice old Madeira ?' Said eyes, Miss Mas'n,
will have some, my hearie.' Drank to Mrs.
Mason, and ate boned turkey to young ladies'
Young ladies dressed beautifully-hair,c court
train, and shoes q la Pompddolr Left ov-
ercoat and changed high hat for fur cap.
Saw a spau ofhorses in carriage drawn by
Charley King. Charley was tightually slight.
Said he had been in to Lees eating boned
sherry, and drinking pale turkey.
Now all called on the Lambs on Thirty
fourth avenue. Old Lamb was round. 'Lam's
schaump's very good" says Charley.
Also drank brandy peaches here, and ate
more pony brandy. Young ladies beau'f full
high heeled dress and shoes cut decoilete.
Great many of them. Nice Roman punch
with monogram on it. Had fried sandwich
with brandy on it. Presented large bouquet
in corner to Mrs. Lamb. Exchanged hat for
hall card basket, and slid down front banis-
ters.
Called on Vanderbilt Hang Vanderbilt |!
Vanderbilt didn't rec'v calls. Carried off
card basket and hung Charley's hat on bell
knob. Used Vans cards to make other calls
with. Kept calling. Called steady. Called
between calls. Drank more, Drank every
where. Young ladies more beautiful. Want