Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-09
"FLOWERPOT" INN.

Theodore Hook, wishing to visit Sun
bury, was recommended to the Flower
pot inn. Now there resided, it seems
at Sunbury in a large house an elderly
| gentleman, bachelor of somewhat &c
centric disposition, whose ruling passion
was for his garden.
| This was kept in admirable order and
decorated with a profusion of ornaments
in the very height of suburban fashion
leaden Cupids, slate sundials, grottoes OF
oyster shells and looking glass, heaps Of
fiints and overturned bricks denominat-
ed rockwork and, beyond all and above
all, with a magnificent vase filed with
flaming cluster of fuchsias, geraniums
and number of plants with brilliant
blossoms and unutterable names which
faced the entrance.
Here one fine afternoon when the
| flowers had reached their acme of reful-
gence Mr.. Theodore pulled up his den
net. A powerful pull at the bell brought
sort of half groom, half gardener, to
the gate.
Take the mare round to the stable.
| put her in loose box and rub her down
well. I'll come and see her fed myself
in q few minutes. None of you rascals
| is to be trusted"
So saying the young gentleman threw
the reins to the domestic, marched
leisurely along the broad, brown, sugar
like looking walk, dexterously cutting
off here and there an overgrown carna-
ton with his whip and entered tine hail.
Giving another tremendous jerk to the
bell wire in passing, be walked into the
dining room, the door of which hap
IN ha 81
and threw himself at full length upon the
sofa. A tidily dressed maidservant ap-
peared at his summons.
Bring me a glass of brandy and wa
ter, my dear. and send Boots"
Boots, brandy and water" exclaimed
the astonished girl.
You may fetch me a pair of slippers
yourself, if you like; so make haste and
you shall have kiss when you come
back"
Duped by the authoritative air assum-
ed by the visitor lit would be indecorous
to suppose another motive), the at
tendant disappeared and speedily re-
turned with the slippers, observing, IF
you please, sir, l have brought you a
pair, but they are masters, and he is
rather particular"
Nonsense! Where's the brandy and
water?"
HE never leaves out the spirits, sir;
he always keeps the key in his pocket"
"He must be a deuced odd sort of
fellow then. Send him here"
master is dressing, sir; he will be
down directly" and accordingly, after
a few minutes, Mr.. 49, made his ap-
pearance in full evening dress.
''My good friend" commenced Hook,
without raising his eyes from the paper,
"allow me to observe that the rules of
your establishment are a little incon-
venient to travellers. have been here
above quarter of an hour and have
not been able to get so much Us a glass
of brandy and water. Bring me one i'm
mediately, and let me know what you
have for dinner"
Il really beg your pardon" said old
Mr.. - as soon as he could find words, !
"but am quite at a loss
$50 am !, my good mane-for glass Of
brandy and water. Bring. that and an
other for yourself. and then shall be |
happy to hear whatever you have to |
say"
"But, sir. you must permit me to
state
Il was never in sucki detestable
house in my life," exclaimed Hook,
starting up. "What do you stand there |
for, instead of attending to my orders?
Am to be kept here starving all night? p?
Bring the brandy and water, dye hear?"
The old gentleman 9was struck pos
itively speechless, his, face purpled, he
seemed in imminent peril of choking
with the sudden confux or ire, indigna-
tion and astonishment.
"Why, the fellows drunk" pursued
Theodore; "disgracefully drunk at this
time of day, and in his own parlor, too!
l shall feel it my duty, sir, to lay
statement of this inexcusable conduct
before the bench"
Mr.. - sprang to the bell. "John!
Turn this impudent scoundrel
out of the house"
The arrival of the servants led to an
explanation. Nothing could exceed Mr..
Hooks regret. What apology could be
made? He was a perfect stranger to
Sunbury; had been directed to the
''Flowerpot" as the inn affording the
best accommodation, and, on seeing what
he imagined to be gigantic representa-
ton of the sign in question at the gar
den gate, he had naturally entered and
acted upon this erroneous impression.
This was the unkindest cut of all. To
ind a stranger reclining in full posses
sion of his sofa and slippers was bad
but to hear the highest achieve
nent of art he possessed-the admira-
ion of himself and friends and the envy
If all Sunbury, his darling vase-to hear
this likened to an alehouse sign was
/ humiliation which dwarfed into insig-
aifcance all preceding insults.-London
Nou-c