Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-05-27
Two Travellers.
THE HOST OF THE RED LION.

THE HOST OF THE RED LION.
If one were to seek the site of the
Red Lion that stood on the Harlem
Road over century ago, he could
no more discover it than he could
the snow that fell at the date of
which we write.
The Red Lion was an inn kept by
jolly old Hollander, named Peter
Steen, and directly opposite was the
only grocery store on that part of the
island, and this was presided over
by Peters brother, Helst. The
brothers were very dissimilar in tenn
perment and appearance. Peter
weighed over two hundred pounds,
was hard drinker, inveterate
smoker and great talker. HelSi
was of small statue, weighing only
one hundred and some odd pounds,
and he never drank spirituous liz.
uors nor used tobacco in any form
Neither was he of a loquacious turn.
Silent and meditative, he weighed
out his sugar and tea to his custom
ers, took their hard money, put il
safely away and grew richer each
year than his laughing, rollicking
brother Peter.
Every evening, after the store was
closed, Helst invariably went across
the way and the brothers, taking
chairs, would, when the season per-
mitted, sit in front of the tavern un.
der the trees and converse, while Pc.
ter's son, Dyke, attended the bar.
1t was the latter part Of the sum
mer when the brothers were seated
in their accustomed places, that a
couple of strangers were driven to
the inn and, alighting, requested ac.
commOdations. Peter slowly took
his pipe from his mouth and shouted
for Dyke.
"Go YOURSELF" said Helst, in an
uDdertone. Tou'll never become
rich if you turn these matters over
to others. You must mend your
ways, brother, and not put the care
of the house on Dyke. Come, be
stirring," and he gave Peter a gentle
shake.
The latter laughed, and, arising,
went forward to attend to the wants
y "A
two shot-guns was the only baggage
the travellers possessed, and these
were carried to the inn and the
strangers assigned a room, and while
their supper was being prepared Pc.
ter resumed his seat by his brother
Do they seem like persons OF
means ?" inquired Helst.
" How can tell ?" replied Peter
"They went to their chamber with.
out taking drink"
{: 1T ] had examined their faces .
continued Helst, q" | think l should
be able to determine their quality
Your business is not the kind to ena
BILE you to discover the depths Of your
customers pockets. Ah, Peter!
fear you will never accumulate ,
large fortune"
"Well, Dyke may if 1 DON'T" re-
Piled the brother. Hes like you
Hoist; he turns penny over twic,
before taking it to see if it is good.'
" Dyke is a prudent lad," sait
Helst. " He may turn out we'll If h,
continues to be so cautious. Brother
we have to he wary in this world"
Thank Heaven, there'll be n,
occasion for it in the next" replied
Peter, and he laughed and blew grea
clouds of smoke i'm Helst's face.
"It's a nasty practice" cried tn
brother, coughing and moving lit
Tie apart, so as to be out Of the reacl
of PETERS pipe.
It's great consolation some
times" replied Peter.
It's a great waste of money. -
How much do you spend in tobacco?'
How should / know 2" replied
Peter, in surprise. 81 never kep
account
TRY it," remarked Hoist, dryly
Just then couple of shots mad
, Helst Steen bounce in his seat.
&" It's only the travellers dischars
ing their guns" said Peter.
- must CO." replied Helst.-
"Good.night," and the brother
separated.
: Peter Steen found his guests to b
quiet but eccentric Englishmen, VIII
: seemed to take the world easy an
paid literally for all they ordered.
"What in the world can they war
here ?" inquired Helst. E" Why don
they go to the city ?"
"I'm sure don't know" reptile
> Peter, land as they pay in hone,
money, care not how long the
tarry."
"They may be robbers" suggeste
the timid Helst.
) $50 they may" responded Peter
"but they haven't robbed me, an
, as they are not sharp enough for yol
l don't see why we should con
plain"
Fall deepened into winter, and tn
strangers still sojourned at the Re
, Lion. They went out cunning frt
quently, and when they RENAME
!, indoors they read necessarily tn
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