Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-04-27
THAT TAVERN.

Several years ago there resided in a town
not q 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 hattering.
He was called "the DOCTOR for reasons
best known to those who attached to his
name this honorary cognoInen." He re-
sided in a 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 tho
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 seven" 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 tayern?" asked the traveller.
"Why, up there. Don't you seer"
"On the hill?"
are. Fust rate tavern t~here-only the
landlords a crusty old Teller, eccentric
like, and he mayn't want no company
"Never mind that. It's a tavern, you
say, and that's enough. I shan't 60 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 a public house, and he can't shut his
door ag'in a be%nighted traveller, though
he'll bluff you off if he can"
"Waal, I'd like to see the tavern keeper
that can bluff me such a night as this ere
is" said the stranger, and away he went
toward the elegant mansion of the doctor.
go right into the front door, " said the
farmer to his visitor. Don't mind any
thing he says-for, between ourselves, we
think the old scamp's a little crazy some
times-but tell him it's a public house
and you're bound to stay overnight.
"Well, I 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 well nigh tore it off.
Hello, / say-house! Wot in thunder
are ye all deads" and the m was
instantly answered by a 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 t. find such capital
quarters.
"Ah, this is very well. 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 DOCTOR
parlor without further ceremony.
For fully five minutes the doctor had nc
words for utterance, but at last his fury
burst forth.
"Who are your" he shouted. "Where
<Jll voy, oo,,,o fro,oS What Jooe <hio ,,ooopt
It's my house-this is-minel You've
spoiled my carpets. You're a scoundrel
that I don't''-
SSH Hush, ole fellerl"
"Whatp' exclaimed the doctor.
"Hush-keep quiet. Pm a-goin to stay
here all night, l am" And the unbidden
guest proceeded at once to divest himself
of his muddy, cumbrous boots.
"All nightS' screamed the doctor, as
founded.
"Nothin else. Capital house you've
got"
"Housep"
"Yes-excellent tavern. 1 didn't
KNOW
"Tavern? This Ism t a tavern"
Cant oome In, old boss. Won't do.
They told me all about you. I'm here,
and here I 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, still-quiet
IS no use," which CALCULATIONS grew
fainter and fainter until at last the doctor
gazed at the face Of the traveller and found
he 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 IL
impossible to move him. At daylight the
old fellow voluntarily concluded to bulge,
and the doctor actually refused any pay
from his strange visitor, but as he depart.
ed just intimated to him to say nothing
to any of his friends about that tavern
on the hill. Exchange.
Burmese Medical Skill.
The Burmese pharmacopnia AZ a whole