The Portland daily press., 1881-12-15
Free Cakes and Ale.
A New York oddity.
rchicago TriOune.l

Way. IL Hdu Do6ll SUtut years slllCC hO hd0 iaob
experienced this pleasure, which, he said, was
scarcely equolled in saunter through any of
the thoroughfares Of the great cities OF the Old
World and he desired now to refresh his men,
ory of the old familiar scenes, and make new
comparisons with what he had of late beheli
abroad. We had gotten well down town, not
far from Wall street, when my companion in
vited me to stroll for few moments into one
of the narrow passages called streets which
abound in that neighborhood. Just where the
particular locality is I am not at liberty to
speak, for reasons which will be made clear as
this narrative proceeds; but it is sufficient to
say just here that it is neighborhood whore
great financial transactions are daily enacted
and where the busy wheels of commerce cor-
stantly revolye with an unceasing hum. Pick
Ing our way along the narrow sidewalk, dodg-
ing teams at crossings, and being brushed aside
incsssantly by the hurrying crowds of pedes-
trians who throng the place, We came, in the
course of few moments, to brick edihce, be-
fore which my companion suddenly halted. |
had noticed that he had in the intervals, when
not av oiding collisions, been carefully exam
ming the store fronts we passed along, and
had once or twice stopped, as though brought
face to face with some person whom he knew,
or had discovered some object of which he had
been anxiously in search Now, however, he
paused deliberately, and glancing at the old
fashioned door, and scanning the quaint num-
Der above inquired if would like to make
call. Still believing that it was some mercan-
tile or manufacturing establishment, or quiet
inn where liquid refreshments are dispensed 10
whoever might call-and there are many such
little out-of-the-way public places in the lower
part of the city-I said, of course, that it would
please me much, and asked what particular
brand he was indulging in now. Without re-
plying he mounted the steps, and, raising the
ancient knocker which hung on the door. gave
three sharp knocks. In moment the door
was opened q short distance and a pleasant
faced young lady asked what was wanted. 1--WE
wish some cakes and ale, +" was the reply; and
thereupon the door was swung wide and the
maiden asked us to enter. The interior OF the
house was thoroughly domestic in all its ap-
pointments. and there were no evidences that
my friends request could be complied with,
aud began TO feel that, were he really in quest
of the articles of fefreshment he had named
he had made a serious mistake in selecting the
place at which TO secure them. The young
woman, however, who was well dressed, and
had every evidence of being cultured and re-
finsd led the way to a comfortable sitting-room,
bade us be seated. and, excusing herself, left
the apartment. 1t can be readily under
stood that the situation was novel one, and,
Notwithstanding my efforts to elicit an explana-
ton for the visit, the answer was to keep quiet
and await the outcome. The room in which
we were seated was plainly yet neatly fur
nished, and everything in the appointment and
care betokened the supervising attention OF
tasty housewife. The walls were hung with
pictures whose antique frames and yellow tones
betokened great age, and the subjects of sever
al of which were decked out in garbs OF the
last century. A few books occupied conyen-
lent shelf, and on the mantel were arranged
numerous pieces of ancient china that would
have set fire the enthusiastic spirit Of a
modern bric-a-brac collector. The floor was
covered with an old-fashioned rag-carpet, re-
lieved here-and-there with rugs evidently Of
home make, and the chairs we're stiff-backed
and prim. While we were busy taking in these
surroundings the young woman entered, bear
ing on a tray what proved to be two tobyS OF
ale, and plate on which were four small cakes.
Placing these on the table, she motoned TO us
to partake, and, seating herself near by, quiet
iy watched us drink and eat.
':May ask how you came to call?' at last
she queried.
ut is favorite custom of mine" replied my
friend.
"Then you have been here before?'
mot in seven years, - was the response.
ibid you come alone?n asked the girl
.'No, brought my son, a lad of six, with me
then"
Il thought did not remember you" she
said.
.sNo, you were not the one who welcomed
me then. Do you have many visitors?' he
continued.
mo; you are the first since have been in
the house came five years ago."
"And you are one of the family?"
eyes; Mrs.-is my grandmother; and
came heie to attend to her.
"Can we SEQ the old lady to-days'
"She is old and feeble, and sees no one.
There was q time in confidential mood
when she used to greet the visitors here, and
set out the refreshments; but that time has
gone by, and now no one comes
We had drunk our ale and eaten cur cakes.
Rising, thanking the hostess, and bowing our
way out, We stepped down into the street, and
again found the busy throng that hurried along
the thoroughfare.
"Well?" at last broke in my friend interroga-
lively.
''It was rather queer, was the reply But
you forgot to pay for the entertainment"
sNot at all. There was nothing to pay"
"Yes; it is little peculiar, is it not?"
"Why, right back there where we just came
from is spot that is almost historic, and yet
how few--how very, very few--know anything
of it. Why, were it known TO the public that
refreshments might be had there for the asking
only, how long do you suppose it would be be-
fore the premises would be oyerrun by tramps
dead-oeats, truckmen, ETC.? Why, it would be
O bonanza for them.
.'But the people should peremptorily refuse
them, was suggested.
There is where you make mistake. They
could not do it. That building was erected in
the early part of the century, and the property
owned by an eccentric individual, who was
good deal of a humanitarian in his way. He
was possessed of much reality on this island,
and also had property in adjoining States.
When he died his will disposed of his holdings
in very equitable manner between his widow,
children. and few other relatives. The land
on which that building stands, and lot adioin-
ing, together with the old building itself in
which the old gentleman had lived, was given
to favorite daughter. The express condition
of the beQueSt was that it should be retained
by the legatee and her heirs just so long as she
or they gave, without price, TO every one y no
called for them, a glass of ale and cakes. The
will is on record here in New York county.
Should they ever refuse TO comply with this
request of any stranger who might call, then
the property is to revert to other heirs share and
share alike, from the proceeds of its sale.
hen first called there saw the daughter to
whom the estate was given-then an old lady,
and who must now be very aged. How can
any one discover whether they refuse or not?
Why, am told that the other heirs keep con-
slant watch, and have tested the occupants on
many occasions; and you may rest assured that
when we first went in the girl believed that
we had called for that purpose. OF late years,
however, l am led to believe that the others
have given up all hopes OF ner breaking the
will; for we heard the girl say we were the
first callers in five years. The old lady who
lives there is a widow; but canpot say wheth-
er she has any heirs nearer than the grand
daughter who entertained us. The property is
very valuable, and the rents from the adjoin-
ing building make very handsome income
Ii certainly was very strange freak that took
hold on the old man when he disposed of the
property in the manner in which have set
forth; but have never been there and asked
for cakes and ale that they were not at once
Forthcoming. Ny friend before me used to
visit the place often, and was served just as
we were today. They never give you one
ouired by The will that it should be cakes
But here we are at the hotel! When you want
to explore New York some day come up and
take walk with me-"