The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-08-31

T., had been running trains for
two years, and invalids of the east
Il were just beginning to learn that
this metropolis OF the southwestern
desert land, with its dry air and abundant
sunshine, afforded the finest winter climate
on the continent. At the time write the
one train a dav on the little branch railroad
connecting with the main line of the South
ern Pacific was well loaded every day, and
the hotels and boarding houses were striv-
ing in every way to accommodate the influx
of winter visitors.
AS is usual in most new western towns,
especially of the intermountain region,
hotel accommodations We're only mediocre,
while the best restaurants were those con-
nected with the big gambling houses,
For several days | had rotced new
c>mer about the hotels and principal resorts
of the town. His face mad strangely
familiar look to me, yet could not recall
that had ever seen it before. He was
faultlessly dressed in clothes of the latest
pattern, had a blonde mustache, and but for
has peculiar little gray eyes should have
pronounced him a very handsome man.
He seemed to be total stranger, and as
| would see him of an afternoon around the
Commercial House, or in the evening
watching the games in ",rhc Capitol or
"'l'he Palace and never talking any one,
mentally set him down as the son and heir
of some wealthy family who had sought
winter home in the desert that he might
return in the spring new man
l suppose had noticed him for about a
week Or ten days before either he Or had
the temerity to address the other. don't
know now which of us spoke first, but any
way it came about in that free, open
handed way of addressing a stranger which
prevails in the south and west had been
quail shooting that day, and returning
rather late in the evening went down to The
Palace restaurant for my dinner in my
hunting suit rather than disturb the folks
at home with getting me late meal.
An old California conirade had been with
me all day, and after ordering our dinner
we went out to the bar to try one of
Franks cocktails. Frank, by the way or
Francois, | should call him, as he was
French, was comparative newcomer from
New Orleans, and as mixologist exceeded
anything ever before seen in Arizona. At
least so all the boys about town said, and
the old Hassayampas re-echoed their senti-
ments with hearty chats what"
My comrade and | had disposed of the
first concoction and were discussing the
question of another of its same splendid
quality when the stranger spoke of the
superior excellence of Franks mixtures.
| don't know how it came about, but
presently one or the other of us said in the
most brotherly fashion, wont you Join
us ?' to which the reply came 'The pleas
ure is minen and of course it wound up
by the pleasure belonging to both of us
before we again repaired to the dining
room.
Our newly found acquaintance had
ordered his dinner about the same time as
my comrade and myself, so we all sat down
to the same table. felt rather honored at
this attention of the stranger, for in all my
observation Of him l had never before
noticed him talking with any other Phene-
clan. He had voice as soft and smooth
as woman's, and as he talked his Ian
guage indicated the polished graduate of
Yale or Harvard, with a finish of Euro
pean travel
Now, thought |, will learn something
of this man, where he is from and who he
is
AS the meal progressed had occasion to
ask him to hand me the pepper. AS he
did so be commented upon the fact that
most Of the black pepper served on restau-
rant tables was not pepper at all, but a
conglomeration Of dried leaves and drugs,
much cheaper than the genuine article.
His talk was learned, even classical, using
medical terms and formulas with the famil.