Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-05-23
A GOOD DINNER.
Luke Sharp Tells Of His Trip From
Geneva to Chamonix.


One morning, pretty early-that is,
pretty early for mel found myself with
b friend on the diligence at Geneva
bound for Chamonix. ] think the hour
was about half past seven. The guide
gage a seat for the diligence during the
season you must do 1t two or three days
in advance. Tho guide book is very
good book, indeed, to follow. secured
seats in the diligence for that particular
day near three weeks in advance. When
we two got to the place whore tho dill
gcncc started we found that we were the
only persons, except another couple,
going. Two other diligences belonging
to another company were also ready to
start, but thoy had only two or three
persons each
Tho diligence which runs from Geneva
to Chamonix is tremendous affair that
reminded me Of one of those huge
covered in wagons, in which furniture is
removed, il you can imagine upon tho
top of those vans lot OF seats and a
canopy overhead TO get into your
placein Geneva diligence you havo to
climb ladder. and once up there it is
about as much as your life is worth TO
come down. The descent can be made
by getting on the rim of the Wheel and
then on the hub, and from that down to
the ground. But any mountain in
Switzerland is easier climbed than
Chamonix diligence, If there is nc step
ladder handy,
1t is not my purpose in this sketch 10
speak Of the beauties Of the Chamonix
Valley, or the wonders Of the mountains
that line each side of it. About twelve
o'clock the three diligences drove into
small village think the name of the
village is Sallanches. | could not be
sure of that because have only as my
authority an old guide book which
looked up a moment ago, and my re-
membrance of tho names OF the places
is apt to bo little erratic. However,
VIC will call tho place Sallanchos and
take it for granted that that was the
name OF the village. The three diligcnces
stopped here to change horses, in front
Of tavern, and by this time the noun
tain air had made me wildly hungry.
saw every body getting off tho other
diligonccs, and in order not to be too
late, for the guide book says that il you
want dinner you should order itabout as
quickly as you can, sprang down on the
rim OF a wheel and then to the hub and
after that to the pavement, and rushed
into the hotel Office,
II want dinner for two," said, ''and
want it right away"
"Ycs, sir; yes, sir" replied the oblig-
ing host, "two, did you say? You shall
have it. Put your name down here"
And he led mo TO register. Just as
was about to commit myself by sign
ing my name, my comrade camo into the
Office, evidently full OF wrath, and took
hold of me by the ear and led me gently
out to tho pavement
"Look here" he said, "you need a
guardian. Do you know where you are
going? You aro going to Chamonix.
You are not going to stay here. Youarc
under misapprehcnsion.
my dear fellow" said, don't be SO
ofllcicus, I've just ordered dinner for two.
am as hungry as a bear, and so, nc
doubt are YOU"
''Truc," he answered, "truo, my boy.
want dinner just as badly as you do,
and have no objection to your ordering
dinner at every place we stop; but re.
member that we change horses here, and
dinner is three and half miles further
Off"
"You don't tell me-" said.
81 do tell you," he said, land that is
the reason ! got down, in order 10 tel
you. In another moment the diligence
will be off and you will be left hero
standing. Climb on board now, before
the proprietor comes out and makes yor
pay for those two dinners"
In another instant wo were off again.
"Sec here" said to the driver "why
in the world didn't you stop there foI
dinner as the other diligences do? w,
don't want to ramble all day withou
my tnlHR W edl,
Thcdrivershrugged his shoulders. 81
was his instructions" he said; I'VE vii
get good dinner further on. No fear
there will be a good dinner"
"Ics,'I said, "but we would have haC
good dinner here, It's timc for din
ner.",
Again he shrugged his shoulders
lie knew nothing about 1t except tina
that was his order.
We went along for three and hal
miles from the village, then crosse,
over bridge, under which flowed
rapid little river. Then we turned il
whore there was an open gate. Tn,
double wings OF this gate were o
wrought iron, and were fastened to tw,
tremendous gate-posts of stone tina
reared themselves up to great height
and had on top Of them a coat of arms
1t was like the entrance to the estate o
some nobleman. There was no hcte
visible. and the diligence drove along
smooth and winding road in the mids
Of a very beautiful park Every nov
and then VIC Eot giimpscs of tho littl
river, which was very turbulent an
loi>torcux and after ouitc 4 long driV