Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-02
CHAPTER HI.
GUESTS AT THE INN.

Al IhE INN
'Ah, Rob Barnwell, how are your" the
landlord rather brusquely saluted the
newcomer.
The man scowled and spoke in low
voice:
"Damnationi Dick Ryder, I wish you
wouldn't blurt out my name in that fash
ion before crowd. I don't like it"
Maybe you're ashamed of it, sneered
Ryder, without lowering his voice.
mo- Curse your mean spirit you
know I'm not! But the man who has
been what have been, and has come to
be what am now, don't like to have his
name bawled out as If by the town-crier's
mouth, SO that every pumpkin sitting
about may come up and stare at him But
that's neither here nor there. want
lodging for the night. I've got little
money-enough to pay for 1t, and the
speaker slapped his breeches-p pocket,
which returned faint jingle of coin.
will you keep me?"
"Y-e-s--I suppose so, /" was the hesitat-
ing reply.
very we'll. Get me something to eat;
some bread and cheese and q mug of ale
will do. Fetch the tray into the parlor,
there; want to be Alone"
No." returned the landlord, with en-
ergy, Il can't give you the parlor. The
public dining-room on the other side is
good enough for YOU; I'm likely to have
gentlemen come in, who will want the
parlor. Go into the dining-room and
your lunch shall be sent in to you"
Gentlemen, indeed" Robert Barn.
well leaned his elbows on the counter and
put both hands under his chin. Gentle
menP Why, you unmannerly Bardolph,
dye mean to say that I'm not one2 How
many guineas do you suppose I've paid
you for wine and entertainment in that
very parlorP When did cease to be q
gentleman? Was it when / lost my for
tune? Pretty treatment this is for an old
customer! Are you not ashamed of your
self, Dick Ryder?"
AS he proceeded his voice was raised to
high key. All present plainly heard
him.
"For heavens sake, Mr. Barnwell, don't
make a scene here!" the landlord ex-
claimed; you shall be we'll entertained;
but the parlor-"
AYE, the parlor! That or nothingl ]
call you all to witness, and the trouble.
some guest turned about to those sitting
in the tap-room, whom he had not thus
far noticed in the least, "that my legal
rights in this inn are deniedi / am
Richard Barnwell, of Colchester, late 0
barrister- at-law, now an attorneys clerk
Fifty times have enjoyed the seclusior
of that parlor. have money to pay fol
it now. am clean and respectable, if
am poor and don't travel in coach anG
| four. But because am poor and unfor.
tunate, this man behind the counter dom
want my patronage. I'll show him!
know the law, and"
There, there, Mr.. Barnwell, say nc
more" cried the landlord Il don't wisl
to deny you the parlor, if you insist. &C
right in, if you will; the candles are
lighted, and I'll put a fire in the chimney
place if you wish. Your lunch shall be
brought right in to you"
Frowning and muttering, Barnwel
picked up his bundle, entered the parlor
and slammed the door after him. The
landlord tied on his white apron, and dis.
patched the hostler's boy to the kitchen
| with an order for refreshments.
The sailor had sat quietly through this
stormy colloquy, taking silent note of th'
newcomer, but saying nothing. He hae
| put his mug aside, not half drained.
Troublesome customer" he now OBJ
served, after the door slammed.
-Yes-dang his impudence!' replied
Ryder, very red in the face. Il want NJ
fuss nor trouble at the Red Lion, or TX
pitched him out, neck and heels TIL,
reprobate-to talk that way to mel"
Tell us something about him, sale
the sailor. who and what is he?"
| Ryder was about to answer, when th'
boy came in with the lunch on tray
The landlord took it from him and car
ried it into the parlor with his own hands
| Returning after few minutes, he drop
| ped into a chair and gave vent to his vex
alton and irritation in lengthy answe
| to the sailors question.
He's the most impudent varlet in al
| Essex. He don't know his place, and b
won't learn it till somebody takes tn
trouble and the pains to teach it to him
wish the fiend who is always at the ell
bow of such folk as he had sent him any
where but here tonight. H one of you
officers or some county gentleman shoul
come in for two hours entertainment to
night / couldn't get that surly fellow GU
of the parlor.
| The rustics were eagerly listening. TIL
sailor was also rather interested.
HAS seen better days, ! should think
4 by his talk" he observed. And b
seemed to know you and to be used to th
house."
20, yes! don't deny that there was
time when was glad of Rob Barnwelr
custom. And it's true, as he says, tina
he has spent much money here. But he
fallen pretty low in the last two years, an
he's no right to remind me of what b
used to be-"
Give us the story, said the sailor.
Il will, if I can make it short enough
I haven't the patience to waste words o
him. AS he told you, he used to be
barrister. He had power of cases, toe
I've heard him talk grandly to juries O
the subject don't know as I've got th
story right; but understood that hi
aunt, who died in Colchester about tw
years ago, left him five thousand pounds
d They say that turned his head. He qui
his business, or neglected it, and was i
London most of the time, drinking, ca
rousing, and gaming. You might kno'
how all that would end. He ran throug
everything he had; his money went, an
his good name with it; and on account Q
the public scandal that he made, thei
lordships. the judges, threw him over th
bar. All this summer, hear, he's bee
working as clerk for Colchester attol
ney. I suppose he's footing it to Lon
don, now, to get better employment
II bad wreck, the sailor observed, gi,
ing the utterance Of his thoughts a pre-
fessional term. 4The ship on her beal