The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-02-09
The Old IsOnifnccs.

The last days of the old Pavilion at
Montpelier are fruitful of "reminiscences of
those two famous landlords, Mahlon Cot
trell and Levi Boutwell,, both now dead \
The forwcy. was large, stern, dignifie<
man, witlw1 feady wit an iron will, and hc{
made such virtue of serving the public\
that he would permit no obstacles 10 inter-
vene. 1t is related Of him by the Mont
pelier Waterman that he once sent pair
of nice colts on his stage relay at Water
bury. They were fat, the weather was
very warm, and the next day the driver
was a little late in arriving at Montpelier.
Old Colt. stood on the piazza, watch in
hand, and to the drivers explanation, that
he had favored the colts, blufiiy responded
"Who owns those horses, you or II
want YOU to be on time" The next time
over the road the stage came in with only
four horses. Colt. asked where the colts
were. "You will find one dead at Middle
SEX" was the reply, land the other down
BY the cemetery. The owner had nothing
more to say and simply sent for the car
cases. But we are inclined to think this
story little apocryphal, for if we mistake
not there was no cemetery there at that
time
But while he had great desire to please
the public, he also remembered that he
must look out for Colt. Some guests once
thought their bill was too heavy, and
''Rashe" Palmer, the clerk, stepped to MIR.
Cottrel, who was humming a tune at the
south window, and said: "Mr. Cottrell,
these gentlemen think their bill is high
No answer "Rashe" went back to the
desk but soon returned. 'Mr. COttrell,
these gentlemen think their bill is high and
may not come again" The old mans la
comic and only reply was. "They've been
now, 'aint they" ~.
The argus tells another story Of him,
but does not relate it as we have always
heard it. and we like our tradition better.
1t is of favorite nephew of the old land
lord, whom we will call JONAS, because
we believe that WIS his name. lie had
| spent the winter there and formed many
| agreeable acquaintances. Just before his
| departure a number of his cronies in town
called to have a night with him, and taking
| an upper room they got ''uncO' happy" of
course and their noise resounded through
| the house. Cottrell appeared with his
| night armor on and tremendous terror in
| his tread. There was no escape and the
boys withered under his majestic gaze
Finally one of them, knowing that the old
man loved wit as well as good order, took
a speaking position and said in the most
imperturable manner: "Mr. Cottrell, /
wisf-would like-that is, / would be glad
TO have you go out. Jonas can't act him
self when you are here" The conservator
of peace and order remembered that he
was boy once and forthwith departed.
We once heard how he was put to route
another time, and by no less a person than
Jack Mattocks, who was then or after
wards Governor. We cannot vouch for
the correctness of the story, but there was
probably something OF it, 1t was at the
time OF n Wing convention, and Cottrell
was a Democrat. Late in the night Mattocks
room became the scene of one of those
Capital events, not yet wholly obsolete, we
are sorry to say, known as a parade in light
marching order. The noise brought Cot
trell to the door, for no man was grea,
enough to take liberties with him or his
house, and just as the door opened 10 hi:
imperative knock, Mattocks was IN the aci
of demonstrating to his partners that he
could walk crack. Colt blurted out
"This is a ID pretty Wing convention +
Quick as a flash the Falstaiiian "Jack" re.
sponded, "Mr. Cottrell you are mistaken
this is a awake" over the remains of the
Democratic party" The only "remains'
observable were an empty jug beneath the
table, and the landlord retreated.
Col. Boutwell, was bluff, hearty man,
with a keen wit, pungent sarcasm, a SOME
what fearful command of epithets, but will
a tender heart and generous soul. His
comparatively recent death brought out
flood of anecdote in connection with pub
lie notices of his career and it is not oul
purpose now to repeat But there was q
phase Of his character which casual OBJ
servers never discovered but which wa,
well known to all his friends-we refer tc
his kindness to the orphaned and the poor
As landlord, of course the necessities Of
business compelled him to keep this evel
yelling impulse in constant restraint, bu
many an unfortunate traveller, stranded
upon his beach, could testify how he hat
been dismissed from the Pavilion, afte,
good nights rest and good square meal
by man with wig and large nose