The Republican journal., 1874-06-04
A Blue-Blooded Rooster.

The Grand National and the St. James
are the names of rival hotels in this city
The former is kept by Colonel George Nc
Ginly, a jolly-faced Georgian. and the lat
ter by Deacon J. R. Campbell, a glib
tongued Yankee from Massachusetts,
Their struggles tor public patronage ex-
cite universal comment The citizens take
sides in the fight, and guests dispute with
each other as to the relative merits of the
hotels, even acting as runners on the vari
Gus railroad and steamboat lines Last
January the Yankee Deacon was saddened
TO hear that a live English nobleman was
stopping with the Georgia Colonel. The
Deacon ate nothing and never smiled until
the noblemen had left the city.
THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR.
About three weeks ago Deacon Camp
bell sat behind his desk awaiting the ar
rival of the train from Savannah and Cedar
Keys. The night was balmy. and the
whippoorwills were twittering in the foil
age of the budding magnolia trees. The
train was late. Finally, however, the
omnibus rumbled to the door and deposit
ed dozen guests The Deacon, all smiles
and suavity, selected fine rooms for his
patrons. and congratulated them on their
safe arrival. This done he stretched and
yawned, and went to bed, leaving the
hotel in charge OF kingsbury the night
Waterman. kingsbury is squint-eyed
Yankee, with unique intellectual faculties
lie turned down the gas and lighted a
pipe. Soon atterward a rough-looking
man entered the hotel and wrote his name
upon the register His face and hands
were sun-burned, and his eyes looked
blood-shot The Waterman thought that
he detected a smell of whisky about his
clothes. A gray flannel shirt, torn coat,
dirty breeches and scaly brogans were all
that the visitor wore. Kingsbury gazed
at him few seconds, as if undecided
whether to kick him out or allow him to
remain.
Could | have rooms placed at me sar-
Weep asked the hard-looking customer.
kingsbury hesitated. He eyed the APP
plcant very closely and smelled OF him
There was a faint of liquor in the air.
oh, Youwant room, do you, old fellow?n
the Waterman said "Well, Just stop here
moment. and keep your hands in your
pockets while run up stairs to Deacon
Campbell and sec if he viii assign YOU
one"
NUMBER FORTY.
The red-faced man nodded assent.
kingsbury sprang up stairs He was anx-
ious to return before the stranger could
take advantage of his opportunity and
make off with other peoples baggage.
Deacon Campbell had Just stripped, and
was sitting on the edge of the bed listening
to the music OF the whipporwills
There's man down stairs wants
rOOm,n the Waterman said
"Who is hep inquired the Deacon.
"a drunken old Irishman,n was the
reply.
What does he look like ~ was the
interrogatory.
look like ?" repeated the Waterman.
He looks like a mighty rough old Gus
toner. He's the worst locking Irishman
that l ever saw, and he's as drunk as a
niger fiddler
well, slap him in No 49," the Deacon
responded. Il guess that's good enough
for him.
II guess that it's better than he ever had
before" answered the Waterman, as he
closed the door
Down stairs he dashed The baggage
was all safe The Irishman stood facing
the register with his hands in his pockets
This way, old fellow" the Waterman
exclaimed, again mounting the steps.
The old Celt followed him No. 40 was a
cramped apartment in the top Of wing
of the hotel Immediately over the kitchen
The carpet was dusty, the nose of the
wash pitcher was broken, and the fllrni-
ture generally was not calculated to please
a fastidious taste.
THE OLD ROOSTER SHOWED OUT.
SIS this my room?n the Irishman asked
eyes, this is your room," replied the
Waterman.
"Well, then," said the Celt, 81 must
tell you that this won't do. | want a
larger apartment, one that is well fur
nished and with sooparier accommoda-
tons"
"Oh, you do, eh?n exclaimed Kingsbury,
gianclng at him in derision. Il suppose
you would like the ladies' parlor? You
can consider yourself mighty lucky to
get this room. If | was the proprietor |
would hoist you into the hay-mow.'
The old Irishman stared at the watch
man in perfect surprise. 1t was some Sec
onds before he could catch his breath
'I'm greatly obliged to We for your inn
pertinence," he said, "but if l cawn't find
accommodations here must go where I
can find them"
"Thats right, old fellow, the Waterman
responded. "You better 60 to the Grand
National That's the place for such
slouchy old ROSTERS as YOU
And the indignant old Celt walked down