Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-06-25
A BARON IN DISGUISE.
The Florida Hotel Keeper who was Very Badly
Deceived.

The people of Jacksonville, Florida,
are having their fun over one of their
hotel keepers. The storyis told as fol
lows:
A rough>looking man entered the
hotel and wrote his name upon the
register. His face and hands were
sun-burned aud his eyes looked blood
shot. The Waterman thought he de-
tected smell Of whisky about his
clothes. 4 gray flannel shirt, torn
coat, dirty breeches and scaly brogans
were all that the visitor wore. The
Waterman gazed at him few seconds
as If undecided whether to kick him
out or allow him to remain.
''Could have rooms placed at my
service ?" inquired the hard looking
customer.
Watchman hesitated He eyed the
applicant very closely and slnelled of
him. There was faint OF liquor in the
air. "Oh, you wants room, 90 you,
old fellows" the Waterman said. swell,
just step here moment, and keep
your hands in your pocket while I run
up stairs aud see if the landlord will
assign you one.
''There's a man down stairs wants a
room, the Waterman said.
"Who is he?" inquired the Dea-
con.
"a drunken old loafer," was the re-
ply
''What does he look like ?" was the
interrogatory.
'Look like?" repeated the Waterman.
Giles the worst looking rascal that I
ever saw, and he's drunk
'Well, slap him in No. 40. / guess
that's good enough tor him."
81 guess that it's better than he ever
had before" answered the Waterman
as he closed the door"
Down stairs he dashed. The bag
gage was all safe. The customer stood
facing the register with his hands in
his pockets.
"rhis way, old fellow" the watch>
man exclaimed, again mounting the
steps. The old fellow" followed him.
No. 40 was a eramped apartment in
the top Of a wing of the hotel inme-
diately over the kitchen The carpet
was dusty, the nose of the wash pitcher
was broken, and the furniture generally
was not calculated to please a fastidous
taste.
Is this my room7' he asked.
''Yes, this is your room,' replied the
Waterman.
"Well, then,' said he, 81 must tell
you that this wont do. | want ii
larger apartment, one that is we'll fur
nished and sooparier accommodations.
sob, you do, eh? l suppose you
would like the ladies parlos. You
can consider yourself mighty lucky
to get this room. If l was the pro-
prietor would hoist you into the hay
mow."
The old fellow stared at the watch
man in perfect surprise. 1t was some
seconds before he could catch his
breath. I'm greatly obliged to ye
for your inpertirence," he said shut
if | cawn't find accommodations here
| must go where can find them
"That's right, old fellow; you better
go to the Grand National. That's the
place for such slouchy old roosters as
as you.
And the indignant old Celt walked
down three flights of stairs, followed
by the equally indignant Waterman.
AS the old man was about to pass
out the front door he met half dozen
hard listed companions about to eater
"Hold on boys" he said, "this is too
aristocratic for oos The National is
the place for such slouchy roosthers as
COS"
And they went to the other hotel.
Two large express wagons loaded with
trunks travelled in their wake. The
whipporwills laughed at them as they
passed under the water oaks shading
the public square, and the stars shone
brightly as they disappeared under the
portlco
When the sun rose the lanlord came
down stairs with fine appetite.
Good morning, Kingshury," he said
"How is your drunken friend this morn
ing /; is he up YETI
mo, sir, replied the watchnan. "No'
40 wasn't good enough for him. He
wanted the bridal chamber, and / made
him dust"
Here the Deacon stepped to the reg
lister and began to read the list of arri-
vals Suddenly his eyes dilated. A
flush overspread his countenance. Put
ting his foretinger upon the book, he
shouted. ''Here, here, Kingsbury
What's this ? Look here"
The Waterman looked at the finger.
1t pointed to the name Of