El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-12-31
THAT TAVERN.

Several years ago there resided in a towr
not a score of miles distant from Boston
an old settler who had accumulated a very
handsome fortune by driving sheep bar.
gains and whose reputation abroad was
none of the most flattering
He was called 1.-THE DOCTOR for reasons
best known to those who attached to his
name this honorary cognomen." He re-
sided in large and splendid house, locat
ed at the top of a hill near the main road
from Boston to Worcester, and If there
was any one thing the doctor prided him
self on more than another it was cleanli-
ness about his mansion.
The white colonnade and steps leading
to his house were constantly kept as pure
from soiling as were the rich carpets which
covered his parlor floors. His servants
were continually busy in polishing the
platform in front of his mansion, and the
doctor could see his face reflected in the
bright surface which had been brought
out upon the carefully rubbed stairs. And
some of his vicious neighbors-one espe
cially, who had been overreached by the
sharp doctor-became acquainted with the
old fellows hobby, and he determined to
embrace the first opportunity for revenge.
One terribly dark and stormy night in
early spring there came along a strange
traveller, who halted at the door of the
man who had sworn to be "even'' with
the doctor.
The stranger was looking for lodgings,
for his horse had fallen lame, the path
was knee deep with mud, the roads had
been in a dreadful condition for a week
and he was yet some miles from town.
He told his pitiful story, and the farmer
instantly bethought him of a plan for
satisfaction.
"Been to the tavern yonder?''
what tavern?" asked the traveller.
"Why, up there. Don't you see?''
"On the hill?''
"Yis. The big house where the lights
are. Fust rate tavern there-only the
landlords a crusty old Teller, eccentric
like, and he mayn't want no company
Never mind that. It's tavern, you
say, and that's enough. I shan't 90 no
furder tonight
"You see,' continued the Informant,
"the old ouss has got rich a-keepin a tav-
ern, and he's got to be mighty nice about
his customers. But you needn't be afeard.
It's public house, and he can't shut his
door ag'in a benighted traveller. though
he'll bluff you off if he can
''Waal, I'd like to see the tavern keeper
that can bluff me such night as this 'ero
is" said the stranger, and away he went
toward the elegant mansion of the doctor.
$50 right into the front door," said tho
farmer to his visitor. Don't mind any
thing he says-for, between ourselves, we
think the old scamp's little crazy some
times-but tell him it's a public house
and you re bound to stay overnight -
''Well, 1 am, !" continued the other, and
he was very soon at the front door of the
doctors house.
Hello, there!' he bawled, and selling
upon the bell pull, he we'll nigh tore it off.
''Hello, say-house! Wot in thunder
are We all dead?'' and the summons was
instantly answered by brace of servants
accompanied by the doctor himself.
The door was quickly opened, and in
marched the traveller, covered with mud,
drenched to the skin, whip in hand and
evidently delighted to find such capital
quarters.
"Ah, this is very we'll. Hoss at the
door; look after him, you fellow there
rub his off hind leg we'll and give him
four quarts of chopped feed when he's
done wheezin, for he's got the heaves
dre'ful tonight, and as he got off his Or
der he stalked straight into the DOCTORS
parlor without further ceremony.
For fully five minutes the doctor had no
words for utteranoe, but at last his fury
burst forth.
"Who are you?'' he shouted. "where
did you come fromp What does this meanp
It's my house-this is-minel You've
spoiled my carpets. You're a ecoundrel
that don't''-
"Shl Hush, ole feller!"
"What!' exclaimed the doctor.
"Hush-keep quiet. I'm a-goin to stay
here all night, am" And the unbidden
guest proceeded at once to divest himself
of his muddy, cumbrous boots.
can nighti" screamed the doctor, as
founded
"Nothin else Capital house you've
got.'
'House?"
yes excellent tavern. didn't
know
"TavernP This ism It a tavern"
Cant come in, old boss. Won'u do
They told me all about you. I'm here
and here stay tonight, sure"
And he very leisurely stood his wet
cowhide boots against the side Of the ele-
CANT ohimneypiece.
The victimiZed doctor raved and vented
all manner of curses on the stranger re-
peatedly ordering him to quit his house,
In reply to which he heard only the words,
BE still, ole feller-be still, stili-uuiet |
IS no use," which CALCULATIONS grew
fainter and fainter until at last the doctor |
gazed at the face of the traveller and found |
be had fallen asleep before the fire.
After exhausting the entire vocabulary |
Of his wrath he left the intruder in peace |
able possession of the premises, finding it |
impossible to move him. At daylighe the |
old fellow voluntarily concluded to bulge,
and the doctor actually refused any pay |
from his strange visitor, but as he depart
I'D just intimated to him to say nothing |
TO any of his friends about that tavern
)n the hill. "-Exchange
Nv ". ". w. NJ. NJ. A. ~. AZ. ~, Al, Al,