The morning call., 1893-05-18
THE ROMAN BANQUET.
1t Was Served, but Payment Was
Refused by the Schroeders.

On the closing night of the Circus Maxi
mus Tortonrs four front private dining
rooms were thrown into one and decorated
with profusion of flowers and numerous
candelabra in a style worthy of the high
dignitaries who b0uored the place that
night with their patronage.
The Empress Livia Schroeder, accom-
panied by Cesar Augustus himself. had a
few days previous appeared at Tortonfs
and arranged with NJ. Pierre. one of the
proprietors. for banquet, to be served to
a few select Romans in true regal style.
The Empress smiled sweetly and con-
descendlngly, and before NJ. Pierre knew
what he was about he had promised to ap-
pease the appetitcs of forty-two noble
Romans for the small sum of So each.
Nothing was said about wine. So charmed
was he that he promised to have his wait
ers wear cheesecloth togas, and when the
Romans gathered for the feast he became
SO carried away with their magnifcence
that he allowed them to persuade him
to adorn himself in one of the airy gar
ments and a sweet vestal virgin tied a
dainty lavender ribbon around hi. plebeian
brow. But Pierre Is not faithful subject
He enjov-d watching the great Romans
slowing away his hot birds and the pop
ping of fOrty-fve champagne corks was
real music to his ears, for in antict pa tinu
he gathered in 372 big shining dollars. He
hasn't gathered them in yet however, and
thereby hangs n tale"
few days ago NJ. Pierre sent the fol-
lowing bill to the ex-Empress and ex-
Caesar Mr.. and Mrs. Schroeder:
AS bottles champagne e.................s225 90
cigars. IL 50
AZ suppefs "a So
1922 90
Old account. Observation-Disclosures. 81 so
He was pletely aStounded to receive
word from the Empress that she would not
pay the bill; that he had promised to sup
ply the feast for SS4. and she considered
herself indebted to him only for that
amount. She furthermore summoned him
to her august presence. NJ. Pierre fatty
refused to go. He was becoming weary Of
unlucrative antiquity. and after waiting
dav or two senta common, ordinary, every
day collector to the Empress. But Caesar
and his spouse had retired to their country
home at Redwood, and this morning man
will leave here on the early train for that
city. who will endeavor TO serve papers on
Mr.. or Mrs. Schroeder. Suit will be
brought against them in San Francisco, j.
j. Lemen appearing for NJ. Pierre unless
the man who goes down there brings
S373 50 back 10 Iort0nrS.
1t is said that the forty-twO Romans and
"Romanesses" who partook of the ban
quet seemed TO realize that this was their
last opportunity for real Roman enjoy
man. Caesar Augustus Insisted on having
two or three bottles of the sparkling stuff
continually at his elbow, casting the dead
sold ers aside with disdain and loudly
calling TO the cheesecloth attired walters
To see that everybody's glass was full.
Over dozen handsome cut glasses were
broken. The ladies inhaled cigal cite smoke
and drank champagne till several of them
complained Of not feeling well and were
taken from the banQuet-room by gallant
senators and prRtors and dosed with car
Donate of soda and seltzer.
At half past in the morning the
Romans were mostly able to tear them
selves away. Two ladies were still feel
ing faint and had 20 be carried. Before
o'clock there was nothing in the Maison
Tortini to tell Of the Circus Maximus but
a few sleepy toga-attlred walters. n heap
of empty bottles, several stray sandals.
dozens of hatpins and lot Of loose hair
pins.
Easton & EIdridge, real estate agents,
have issued circulars announcing sale of
the Schroeder property at San Mate0 next
Saturday. Nj. Pierre declares he will at
tach the property and prevent the sale. A
CALI. reporter called at the Office of Eas.
ton & Eldridge yesterday to see what they
thought about it. They smiled at the idea
of 1913 bill interfering with sale that
will bring the Schroeders thousands of
dollars, and suggested that even should
they feel disinclined to settle the biz till
compelled to do so they could file bonds
for the disputed amount.