San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-11-30
A WEALTHY BACHELOR.
PLEASURES OF EXISTENCE IN A
RICH MANS LODGING HOUSE.
Getting Home After q Night Out-The
watchman's T1p-An Elegant Interior.
In the Observation-Disclosures for
Months Rent.


potation of stale beer and was groaning and
tossing and incidentally cursing and growl
ing on his narrow strip of canvas as he
breathed over again for the hundredth time
the heavy, fetid air. another man got out OF
a cab on cross street few steps from the
corner of Broadway, babe the driver gruf
good night, and crossed the walk to the tall
entrance of q big building that lowered
far above him in the darkness, a
gloomy mass over the ornate architecture
and gay shop windows Of the lower
stories, which the electric lights reached
high enough to illuminate He touched an
electric button and moment later the door
swung open and sleepy Waterman admitted
the late conner, who said good morning"
tried to whistle a snatch Of song, couldn't do
it and hummed IL instead, and then sat down
with suddenness and severity that seemed
unnecessary upon tho cushioned bench in the
elevator. Whatever this man may have been
drinking its effect had not been Supplying,
and the swift upward rush Of the elevator
seemed to make his spirit even more cordial
and pleasant, for ut the top he fumbled
through all his pockets for a quarter, and not
finding it took a dollar instead and tossed it
to the Waterman as he left the elevator.
bOWu lux, uuSul pCeou SoaituoAS VAIL
many doors on either side, his step was
jaunty and light, with the least trihe of I'M
steadiness. His key, fitted into it's lock after
a not unreasonable amount Of fumbling,
turned with a soft click, and the door opened.
A gas Jet burning low filled the room with
vague light, except where the bright glow
from the fire in the CRATE illuminated a semi;
circular space in frors of the mantel The
night wind through d partly open window
stirred the curtains witch a gentle rustic.
The draft was unpleasaAtly fresh, in spite of
the fire, so he closed the window before he
threw Off his overcoat on the nearest chair.
Then he turned up the gas and sat down in a
huge, softly upholstered armchair that faced
tho CRATE, stretching himself out with a COM
Portable sense of ease and warmth.
AN ELEGANT ROOM
The light brought out the size and furnish
ings of the room distinctly. 1t was corner
room, with one window on Broadway and
another on the side street. 1t was small,
about fifteen feet square, and made still
smaller and more cozy by the furnishing and
decorations, which were of a dark tone with
plenty of red and gold touches to punctuate
its richness. The walls were papered in a
dark figure of greens and browns, nearly
covering gilt ground. The curtains were
brighter than the walls, but of material,
color, and figures that blended with them
well. On two sides portieres of heavier and
richer material hung in archways leading to
adjoining rooms. One large painting of u
subject suited to the apartments of bachelor
and with well known artists initials in the
corner, hung In the only broad space on the
wall that was left after the windows, arch
ings, and mantel were taken out. Several
smaller paintings of less merit hung about,
and large and beautiful tinted etching of
Venus floating on cloud stood upon an easel
at one side the mantel.
After a time he glanced at his watch and
pushed aside the portiere leading into another
room on the Broadway side, 1t was smaller
than the first room, but held q handsome
bookcase an ornamental desk, long, COM
Portable lounge, small table covered with a
cloth of embroidered felt, besides few chairs
and some other triheS and a number of pic
lures on the wall The evening papers lev
neatly folded on the table. He picked up one,
glanced it over, smiling occasionally, and
then laying it down, pugaed aside a portiCrc
cOncealing door, which slid back easily into
the wall. His heels struck harShly against
the tile floor Of the bathroom, and ecalled 10
him his slippers He went tack to the fire,
toasting beside which they lay, and, after
putting them on, set his shoes in their place
and returned to the bathroom. 1t was small,
but finely appointed, and baautifod with
pleasing evidences Of the painters skill, such
as the old Pompeiians might have enjoyed
Steam heat rendered it comfortable, even 70
his shppered feet. and when he turned Z
faucet the warm water gushed out and
cloud Of steam arose. He breathed its damp
ness gratefully for moment, and then mod
Grating its temperature by turn OF another
faucet until it suited his touch, left it run
ming and returned across the TWO rooms and
through the portiereS into the third, end on
the street side of tho building. a bed, with
a covering Of lace over red daintily laid upon
the quilts, was its most conspicuous furniture
This and the other furniture of the room be
fitted such suite. The general effect OF its
decorations was Lighter than that of either Of
the other rooms, but not SO much so as TO
offer contrast.
ENJOYING HIS BATH.
Here he quickly prepared for the bath, and
before his tub was filed he walked in an en-
broidered dressing gown back to the bath
room. 1t was warm and bright, with no
chill about the marble, and thick rug for
saving any shock to the bare feet. He en-
joyed his bath lazily and luxuriantly, as
man will after a night of pleasure, and then,
resuming his dressing gown, chose book as
he passed through the library, and, seated
again in the chair before the fire, toasted
himself comfortably and read for an hour
At the end of a chapter he tossed the book
upon the nearest table, yawned and medi-
tated, gazing into the fire, yawned again and
then went into the bedroom, where he was