Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-03-03
of speeches

Delayed on his journey, Henry Westwick only reached Venice in'time to join the guests over their coffee and cigars Observing the splendor of the reception rooms and taking note especially of the artful mixture of com fort and luxury in the bed chambers, he be- gan to share the old nurses views of the future, and to contemplate seriously the con- ing dividend of 10 per cent. The hotel was beginning we'll, at all events. So much inter- est in the enterprise had been aroused at home and abroad by profuse advertising that the whole accommodation of the building had been secured by travellers of all nations for the opening night. Henry only obtained one of the small rooms on the upper floor by a lucky accident, the absence of the gentleman who had written to engage it. He was quite satisfied, and was on his way to led when another accident altered his prospects for the night and moved him into another and a better room.
 Ascending on his way to the higher regions as far as the first floor of the hotel, Henry 8 attention was attracted by an angry voice protesting, in strong New England accent, against one of the greatest hardships that can be inflicted on a citizen of the United States the hardship of sending him to bed without gas in his room.
 The Americans are not only the most hos
 
 earth-they are (under certain conditions) the most patient and good tempered people as well. But they are human; and the limit of American endurance is found in the obsolete institution of bedroom candle The Ameri- can traveller, in the present case, declined to believe that his bedroom was in completely finished state without a gas burner. The manager pointed to the fine antique decora- tions-renewed and regilt-on the walls and ceiling, and explained that the emanations of burning gas light would certainly spoil them in the course of few months. To this the traveller replied that it was possible, but that he did not understand decorations. A bed room with gas ill 1t was what he was used to, was what he wanted and was what he was determined to have. The compliant manager volunteered to ask some other gentleman, housed on the inferior upper story-which was lit throughout with gas-to change rooms Hearing this, and being quite willing to exchange small bed chamber for large one, Henry volunteered to be the other gen. tleman. The excellent American shook hands with him on the spot "You are a cultured person, sir," he said, land you will no doubt understand the decorations.' 1 Henry looked at the number of the room on the door as he opened it. The number was Fourteen. .--~
 Tired and sleepy, he naturally anticipated good nights rest. In the thoroughly healthy state of his nervous system, he slept as we'll in bed abroad as ill bed at home. Without the slightest assignable reason, how ever, his just expectations were disappointed. The luxurious bed, the we'll ventilated room. the delicious tranquility of Venice by night all were in favor of his sleeping well. He never slept at all An indescrlbable sense of depression and discomfort kept him waking through darkness and daylight alike. He went down to the coffee room as soon as the hotel was astir, and ordered some breakfast Another unaccountable change in himself appeared with the appearance of the meal He was absolutely without appetite. An ex. cellent omelet and outlets cooked to perfec tion he sent away untasted-he, whose appe. tite never failed him, whose digestion wa. i still equal to any demands on itl
 TO BE CONTIN0E SEQ.