Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-02-13
IN THE HOTEL OFFICE.
Asingular Story of a Man Who Met
One Who Had Known Him
Years Before.

i + : +
1t was hotel clerk who told me this.
If you make friends with hotel clerk,
you will generally find him ready to
tell you stories, and sometimes the sto-
ries are good.
The hotel is a New York one and not
one of those particularly gilded, plate
glassed and velvety piles where every
thing seems to be for splendor and
nothing for comfort. One great at
traction about the house is it's wide,
roomy hall. which is always warm in
winter and always cool in summer.
You will find, sitting and sprawling
about the long. broad lounges and the
big chairs. dozens of men who are not
registered at the hotel. nor ever have
been. nor have even invested in small
glass of beer at the bar of the adjoin-
ing cafe.
one Gay in particular. in the month
of February. was great harvest time
for that hotel hall. Every seat was oc-
cupied. and TIE clerk shrewdly guessed
that the Gnc. driving snow that had
been filling UP all the chinks of the
window frames had much to do with
the size of the gathering about the
heaters. Presently man in some
what wornout oveTcoat entered and be-
gan kicking snow from his feet and
showering it from every part of his
person.
The clerk, who had nothing else in
particular to do just at that moment,
who crowded the benches rather dis
concerted him. In fact, the clerk no
ticed that the last conner was looking
decidedly annoyed and guessed that
his annoyance proceeded from the evil
dent fact that there was no seat for
him. He would have to loaf standing or
else go into the cafe and let a waiter
come and ask him what he would take
which would be inconvenient in the
absence of the wherewithal to pay.
The newcomer looked at him and
seemed to take n sudden resolution, as
If he had made up his mind that that
clerk ought to be satisfied of his having
some particular business in there
Having got his hat and his discolored
overcoat finally clear of snow, lie walk
ed up to the desk boldly and asked, els
Mr.. Farquharson stopping here?"
(Which Mr.. Farquharson, sir? What
is his name?"
er-Ronald-Ronald Farqu-
harson."
"where does he register from?" the
clerk asked, solemnly looking at the
register.
From-er-Ottawa.
Ronald Farquharson, Ottawa. Can
ada" the clerk repeated, keeping his
finger on one spot on the page of the
register. do you wish to see Mr. Far
quharson? l don't know whether he's
In. Yes; his key is here. VIII you
send up your card, sir?"T
The clerk had some little difficulty in
keeping his face straight while he
made these routine inquiries of the vis-
itor, for the visitors eyes seemed about
to pop out of his head. He opened his
mouth once or twice before speaking.
''Well-er-yes-tha
"Tingr the bell sounded. and a por-
ter came forward to take the visitors
card
"I-haven't card with me-" said the
man who had come through the snow
storm to see Mr.. Ronald Farquharson
OF Ottawa. Canada.
A blank card was produced. and the
visitor. with some evident hesitation,
wrote on it 'Iohn Henry Robinson"
The bellboy took the card away on n
silver waiter, ard John Henry walked
up and down, seeming. as the clerk
thought, rather nervous.
Presently n forid young man in
brown tweeds came from the passage
on one side of the clerks desk The
young man was carrying n card in his
hand and seemed puzzled.
"Where is this personT' he said,
showing the card to the clerk.
"Mr. Robinson. sir? There he is,
walking toward the door now. His
back is turned"
Did he say he knew me?"
"He asked for Mr.. Ronald Farquhar-
son. Ottawa. Canada"
Got my whole name all rightY'
Yes: he had it rs pat as you have
it."
That's funny" said Mr. Ronald Far
quharson. Il have known Il good many
Robinsons in my time. but never
knew that any of them lived in New
York; beg your pardon, sir" he add
S''' 'ui LILLE |" me NlsIiOL' HHo "d9
now near the desk. 81 think this is
your card. You have the advantage Of
me-"
"oh. yes" said the man in the frayed
overcoat, laughing a rather forced
laugh. You're Mr.. Ronald Farquhar-
son-er-of Ottawa-Ottawa. Canada.
Heard that you were in New York. you
know"
That's odd" said the Canadian. Il
only oot born n Payv hours ooO