The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-11-16
BILL.

Arist0cratic noses were turned up in
disgust. The broad piazza OF the hotel
in the village of b. had perhaps never
before held such weight OF annoyed
humanity. The proprietor had just in
formed his guests that the members of
circus company who were to perform in
the neighb0rhoOd had telegraphed their
intention of "putting up at our tavern"
Within five minutes OF the receipt of
this intelligence almost every guest had
received it as a personal insult. This of
course was not to be wondered at; In
deed it was perfectly natural result,
and one which our host should have
been prepared for. The only surprise I
felt was that in this goodly company
there were to be found few individuals
whose noses remained level, and who,
Notwithstanding their distinguished
descent" did not appear to be in the
least disturbed by the unusual news.
We were sometimes compelled to look
this fact squarely in the face. The acci-
dent of aristocratic birth does not al
ways insure against plebeian procliyi-
ties. The minority in this case, l OBJ
served, kept very quiet. A wise course
for minorities on all occasions.
One little woman, who had charmed us
all, even the folks with the sensitive OIL
factories, came dancing up to me after
the party had dispersed, evidently i'm
agining that she had found congenial
spirit.
II am SO glad," she said; "won't it be
ljollyp
"Hushl / answered, waIningly.
ssDonit talk so loud"
"Ohl they are all gone" she went on.
her pleasant eyes sparkling: sand do
believe / should just like TO shock 'em."
kept to myself the fact that she had
already done SO. Twice to my knowl-
edge she had threatened Mrs. Grundy
| with vertigo. Once she had been seen
tying up finger on the head waiter.
The poor fellow had given himself bad
cut, and naturally enough, perhaps, for
one who didn't know any better, had
rushed to the person whose sympathy
and assistance he was surest of. On
another occasion she had bounded into
the dining-room fresh from ramble in
the woods, her hands full of wild fow-
ers for her table. After arranging them
nicely in vase she actually selected
some OF the freshest of the blossoms, and
making a tasteful buttonhole bouquet
fastened Git to the lapel of our walters
coat.
.sThere, Frank, ,"she said, "this is what
call a proper regard for the fitness of
things. Give me some soup quick, please!
am famished."
Itwas little singular, perhaps, but
that colored man wore those flowers till
they withered and wasted, carefully
putting them in water every night.
But ihust hurry on to "Bill." The
circus company arrived, and OF course
there was great hustle. Most of the
guests kept their own rooms. i thought
it would be pleasant to get glimpe OF
the horses and hear the music, SO did
not vacate my rocking chair on the
piazza, as perhaps, under the circum-
stances, it was eminently proper L should
do. My only lady companion was the
sweet and incorrigible little Mrs. Van
Arness, the lady above mentioned.
Trunks, portmanteaus and baggage OF
all description found its way to the
rooms set apart for our new guests.
Then followed the human freight;
by the way, not half SO frightful
or SO coarse as our supei-sen-
sitiveness had imagined. A man and
woman looking very much like other
lolks walked into the house, the woman
with young baby in her arms, the man
leading little boy apparently about
three years OF age. The child's gait and
manner gave evidence OF training for the
ring, even at that early age. Five min
| utes after looked up from my book to
see Mrs. Van Arness short distance
away from me, talking very busily with
the same little fellow. His parents were
busy in their own room, and had not
probably noticed the child's absence.
"Come out here," said she at last, act
| ualfy taking her companion by the hand
and leading hlm toward me; "and see
this lady. She likes little boys. have
| heard her say So"
"Oh, everybody likes little boys. he
1 ai
me-" and then after moment added:
s.but Bill likes me better than any body ?n
| "Who is Billr asked.
| "What does Bill dop inquired my
| friend, with keener intuition. The lit
| Tie one stopped moment, and then, as
| II possessed by an original idea, bound
| ed on to the iron chains which fenced
the grounds in front OF the hotel. One e
mere he stopped to assure himself that
we were looking, and then said; ''this is
| what Bin does.@
In an instant he had turned two or
three suHmersauits around the chain,
and landed gracefully OH his feet in the
middle OF the grass plot.
s.Thaps no place TO do it," he added
scornfuIiy, as he returned to our side.
"Isll makes all the people clap their
hands and holler 'hl! hip Oh! you ought
to see Bill"
Just then q gray-coated, keen-faced,
and good natured looking young man
came quickly up the path. La an instant
the boy was off, saying joyfuliy:
son, there's Bill7" aud in less time
than II takes me TO write IL Bill had him
tight In his arms.
Ibid you see that rough fellow kiss
that chiId?" said Mrs. Van Arness, as
the couple disappeared. just then the
most pompous OF our boaEders saunl-
cred out, cigar between his fingers, and
with shrug of his fat shoulders re-
marked:
II wonder at you, ladies. have in.
sisted upon my wite's keeping her
ROOM"
"Wellw said my companion, striking
an attitude, and tor the first time since
my acquaintance with her evidently los
ing her temper, shat means that you
think your wife would be contaminated
by contact with these circus peoples
SYeu are correct, as nsual, Mrs. Van
Arness," he answered with impressive
ness.
"WeA, ] like circus riders" she re-
piled, With mischievous crease in the
corners OF her pretty mouth; "that Is, ii
they have hearts. / saw an IrishEan,
sir, a day Iaborer, the other day, dig.
ging In the streets, and declare to YOU
4 4 4Al y q.