The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-04-13
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No, I reckoned l had rather be ex.

No, reckoned l had rather be ex-
cused.
"Wall," be said, chewing bis cigar so
that 1t assumed rotary motion and its
point described circle over bis face.
Wall, sir, it's custom we hev in our
conntry, and we think 1t rather scaly
manners to refuse. Reckon yon British
ers do not think it scaly TO slight q
friends hospitality In the street We
du.".
As he persisted 10 regarding my refu-
sal almost in the light OF personal in.
suit, and would not listen to any expla.
nation that We DO not regard the declin
ing of "driEks" In a similar light 10 our
own country. l yielded the point
We retraced our steps short distance
and entered q wine store On the city side
OF Temple Bar, very respectable place
where wines are drawn from the wood
Small round marble tables and lighl
chairs are dispersed about the shop fol
the convenience Of customers. Here
my companion compounded drink ol
soda water and gin and lemon and gin.
ger, OF which be wished me to partske
declined the mixture and took glass
Of sherry We might have sat FIVE min
utes when . tall and important looking
personage iounged into the wine.shop
As he entered be cast supsrcilious looh
upon all the occupants Of the tables
then raising his head be removed his ci,
gar and emitted long column Of smoke
from bis lips ss q contemptuoue yerdic,
Of lofty disapproval on the society ht
had Joined. He WAS we'll dressed-irre
proachably, so far as the quality and Gu,
OF his clothes we're concerned; /; but they
seemed to assert that conscious indepen
dence of their wearer that new clothes
will assert over person who has beer
up all night. His black bair and small
mustache were scrupulously we'll arrang.
ed, but his eyes blinked in the day ligh,
seemingly for want Of nights rest.
He ssuntered up to our table aud emit
ted another superior column Of smoke
over our heads.
"Kuow this swell ?" my Yankee friend
whispered.
] Ishook my head.
Thought he might be member oI
yure Congress, or a tailor's advertise.
ment or come other nob."
There was spare chair st our table
and the person thus irreverently alluded
TO, after some time spent in mentally es.
timatipg the relative merits of the other
vacant chairs, appeared to prevail on
himself to take it and sit down.
"Spree last night" be condescended
to say presently. "Champsgne supper
and things till all was blue
Every pretty tipple," said my Ameri
can friend.
"Ya as Then coming home With come
fellahs we saw Hanson waiting outside
q doctors door, and We chained the man's
cab to an iron door,"
"Man cues much:'
"By Jove, yaeas Doctor damnipe
the cahman and swearing he should be
late, cabbv cutting into bis horse lik
forty thousand and couldn't tell what
was ap."
"Will you liquor P inquired my Amer
ican friend.
mo; 'pon m word, you know-you'l
allow me. Waiter, bottle of cham.
paene"
"Wall, reckon I'm not particular, 90
as we du liquor. (Onginal Champagne
the American whispered to
me.
The swell pnt his hand 10 bis breas,
pocket and carelessly drew out roll ol
notes, one of which be changed to pa,
for the champagne.
NV American friend nudged me anG
raised his eyebrows.
you'll excuse me, stranger" be said
but II | was in yure place would TAXI
care OF those notes and not keep 'em ID
q breast pocket nor yet flssh 'em sbout.
"Oh," said the swell, II always carry
them so"
"Then may be you don't live in Lon
don 2"
oh, bay Jove. no. The fact is my
uncle died lately aud left me fine prop
erty down 10 Essex, and Till the lawyer
have settled up l came to have fiuttel
10 town."
"Then you'll excuse me once again
but il was in yure place wouldn'
fulter my notes." and the America ap
pea,ed TO me for justification. ..Ye se,
yeu never know what company yeou msy
be in."
] thought I knew what company va,
In, hut l didn't say so.
Jaw! for that matter" ssid the swell
II know am alwaJ safe in the compa
ny OF gentlemen"
"That's correct; but how do you tel
Q gentleman from q coon2'
swell, 1 think mans gentleman
aw-if he's got money in his pocket"
"Happen you're right. But heow much
money must man have in his pocket Ia
prove himself gentleman ?"
"Nothins Iess than Eve pund," said
the swell.
"Wall,, | dunno. But for my part
shouldn't like yeu to think yeu were tai.
kim With any one but gentleman as far
as Pm concerned" and my American
friend produced his purse.
"Aw," said the swell before be opened
It "bay Jove, I'll bet you new ha. yor
haven't got Eve pund 10 your purse"
"Done with yeu," said nv esteemed
friend; and on exhibiting bis purse hs
showed nearly thirty sovereigns as vel
IS / could Judge.
rAw, then I've lost and / owe you I
hat. Aw, here is my card" He handed
it to rs both. Frederick Church, Esq.
! was i'm pressed with the notion tia
the faces Of both these men we're come
what familiar to me.
The American nudged me again and
bestowed upon me an encouraging wink
"Recfon now yen won't bet nv friend
here he hasn't 60, Eve sovereigns abou
him ?" He nudged me again.
"Ya-as, l WILL" said Mr.. Church Ian
guidly. 81 often do it for a lark. an
generally about right twice out OF thre,
times"
said that didn't bet.
"Aw, we'll. some people don't.
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