The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-19

great gilded dining rooms and formality
and grandeur and invisible landlords aud
supercilious walters who criticise youl
manners and expect exorbitant tips for do
ing it, but no comfort like that of the Hound
and Stag. That evening the entertain.
ment was SO princely that long ere the sup
per was over half my fellow travellers were
uproariously hilarious, and the host took
no offense.
Being in no mood for revelry, i stole out
through the town and down by the green.
leafy banks OF the Tay When returned
some of the company had prudently gont
to bed. others. less mindful of appearances.
were snoring serenely in their chairs in
every variety Of posture that the inconti
nent human frame can assume, and one OF
two, whom i took TO be kirk elders on fur
Tough, were discussing the doctrine of pre-
destination and eternal punishment in
perfectly amiable and fatuous manner over
well plenished tumblers of toddy.
But the chief thing to be noted is that
during my absence another guest had ar
rived. That be was a man Of consequence
was evident no less from his own lofty and
imperious mien than from the servile at
tentions of mine host. He was booted and
spurred as though be had just alighted
from the saddle. A silver mounted riding
whip and pair of riding gloves lay beside
him on table, and he wore the loose brown
velvet coat affected by the better class OF
horsemen. High about his neck was o
huge stiff collar that held his head defiant
ly in the air and kept his ears vigorously at
attention. An imposing bunch of seals
dangled from bis fob, and his rosy gills and
portly waist proclaimed that when he was
at home he knew how TO dine His head
was bald on the crown, and ragged wart
marred the symmetry of his nose, which,
however, was flung in tho air with a sempi
ternal snort of contempt. His air told ht
was perfectly well aware that when he
stood his two legs supported the very pink
of creation.
When j entered, be did me the honor OF
staring hard at me, but almost immediate
ly he brought the tips of his fingers super
cliously together and turned his eyes tt
the ceiling in a manner which said plainly
he regretted demeaning himself with an at
terly insignificant aud casual stranger, and
that he would certainly not do it again. As
hs was delivering himself silently but i'm
pressively of these sentiments aud resolu
tions the landlord hustled into the room
with bowl Of steaming fragrant toddy, q
glass and ladle. all of which be set down
with becoming ceremony on a small tabl,
specially placed at the right hand Of tn,
great man. The great man thereupon took
his eyes from the ceiling aud his eloquent
finger tips apart and condescended 20 Civ,
n grunt of approval Thus encouraged the
landlord became adventurous.
II have taken the liberty, sir" be said In
his suavest manner, with an inclination OF
the body toward his patron. Ito put tn.
heel of lemon in 1t. l aye think lemon
adds to the flavor Of the best Glenlivat
Let me Ill your glass, sir. There, 1 think
you'll find that worth drinking. had Sh
Thomas Gordon Of The Elms here the Other
day. Something In India or China, I didnns
weel ken which or what-a fine fellow IL b,
was ma just so yellow, but that's the liver
sir. Ny word. bad liver's"--
"An ugly compahion," said the great
man. taking a sip; "but, to say the truth
I'm not interested in Sir Thomas hillary
organs"
Faith, nae mair am I, SIR" promptly re
sponded The host. "A man has troubles
enough of his own In this world without
fashin wi other folks livers But, "a l was
saying, Sir Thomas happened TO be in''-
"Unspeakably gracious on his part, to be
sure" interrupted the great man. "Yet
the fact does not interest me"