The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-12-28
HOTEL CLERKS TRIALS.
How They are Kept on the jump by
the Wants of Gmesis.

the wants OF Guests.
At little after o'clock last night, says
The Philadelphia Times, line of men, each
carrying a handbag, stood in front Of the
marble counter in the Continental Hotel
Office, waiting their turn 10 get to the regis
ter. Most Of the men were actors, theatre
cal managers and advance agents. Clerk
lIewcs, with abroad smile, welcomed each
man as he reached the register. Bell boys
were flying about In every direction and
Clerk lIewcs pressed the big silver gong for
moro bell boys, while he worked treadle
with his feet that communicated with the
porter's quarters.
"Show this gentleman to 29i,n said Clerk
IIewes, handing the bell boy a key to the
room, and to the porter he said
"Trunk to go to 29l, make fire In All
and get baggage out OF III for the S o'clock
train.n
"IIere, boy, show Mr.. Barrett to Mr.. Ray
mond's room and stop on your way back In
"a and sec what's wanted, and stop in the
dining room and tell the head waiter to
serve supper in l2l."
"What is the next train for New York,
pleasey' n guest asked.
"1.20. Parlor cars. Through train from
O'clock and Clerk IIewes trod on the
troadle again and another porter appeared.
"Take baggage to Sil and sec II those
sample trunks in 1903 are ready to come
down stairs.n
"Mr IIewes," said one of the bell-men.
"lady in 40 wants meat for her little dog"
"What," said Mr. Iewcs. "Tcll her
she'll have to send her dog to the porters
room. We don't feed dogs In guests
rOoms.'
Clerk IIewes stepped on the treade again
and told the porter, who popped up in
front Of the counter, to put coal on the fire
in So and to build fire in 30l, to get the
baggage out Of 60 and put II In s2 and to
tell the gas-fitter to see what was the mat
ter with the gas in a.
"Mr. Hewes," said another bell-man,
''gentleman IN 39I wants his room changed.
Don't like the color Of the carpet"
"Nery well; put him in 800, the carpets
black In that room, and take pitcher of
ice water to 300. Tell the chambermaid to
change In 1872 and 1913, and tell Mr.. Mestayer
his advance agent wants to see him at
once"
"What is the best church to go to to-
night ~ asked an elderly man.
"Oh, | don't know, sir. They're all
good Messaros and Mangasarian are
drawing big crowds replied the clerk.
"lIere, Edward, take this telegram to
231 If the gentleman isn't in, hunt for
him till you find him.
Then the big silver call-bel rang again
and the next bell-man was told to waken
the gentleman in 437 and tell him If he
wanted dinner he'd have to hurry up.
81 say" said a young man in loud plaid
suit, with single eye-glass dangling from
his neck. 81 want to see the town, you
know: going away tomorrow, you know
Washington. Where can fellow go, you
know, to-nightg'
"Here's a list of prominent churches
said the clerk. "The theatres are all
closed.n
ooh, blow the theatres and churches;
want to see the town.
"Ah, l sec. Here, bell-boy, call cab.
Tell driver young gentleman wants to see
the town.
'Mr salome," went on the clerk" sos,
wants to be called at six o'clock; pitcher Of
| hot water to go along. All, how are you
Mr.. DuayY Mr. Stokes, charge 81 with a
bottle of Pommery Sec, please
''Gentleman In IS says he's freezing, Mr.
| Hewes," a bell-man announced. Clerk
| Hewes touched the treadle and ordered the
porter to make red-hot fire In 70 and to
take the three big sample trunks marked
| Q. c. j. to 494.
"If mail letter here now, what time
will 1t be delivered in New York city ~
asked guest with gray beard
Eight o'clock tomorrow morning.
StampY Yes, sir; two cents. There's the
letter-box back Of YOU"
"Here, boy, show this gentleman to 1913
and take Ice water to AZ, &c and "a. See II
12S is in his room and tell him his carriage
is ready.n
"Any letters for me ~ asked a man who
had registered few hours before
"What is the name, please? Tompkins
Oh, yes No, sir no letters. Telegrams
No, sir: no kilograms. Next mail arrives
at $50 from New York; Western mail, 1C
O'clock"
''If any kilograms or letters come forme,''
said departing guest, "send them to the
Gilsey House, New York, up to January 9
after that send them to Barnum's, Balt
more. expect package by express, too
same addresses
sis Mr.. Brown, one of the proprietors
- asked man.
"No, sir--in Chicago; back next Wednes
day. Any word you wish to leave? Here
John, take this note to Parlor d and get al
answer
"What time do you have breakfast p
asked big fat man with red face.
''SX to eleven, sir; lunch, twelve to three
dinner, three to seven supper, eight t.
twelve. Supper's ready now, SIR"
"Mr. Hewes,n said a bell man, "No. 40
hdhbo anu NNptNhA
"Mr. Stokes, charge 407 with four two
ID cent stamps and charge 1922 with twenty
seven cents for messenger boy,n
"Lady in ~ wants hair-dresser RICH
away" sang bell man.
"rell the lady waiting in the parlor tina
her husband telegraphs that he will be de
tanned in New York all night" said Clerl
Hewes.
Scent in $50 wants DOCTOR" SAT-
another bell-man.
Scent in 1877 wants his laundry take
down and returned in half an hourn
"What ~ asked Clerk Hewes. "Washed
ironed and returned in half an hour? Can
he done.n
"Lady in ~ wants list Of all trains leay
ing Philadelphia, Mr.. Hewes."
"Take her all the time tables in tn
racks,n said Clerk Hewes.
"Phew," said Clerk Hewes, "I'm tire
out. Questions Why, l answer te
thousand day. Talk about trials and tr
bulations, a big hotels the place where
man has them.n
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