La Junta tribune., 1900-06-20
IN THE HOTEL OFFICE.
A Singular Story of q Man Who Net
One Who Had Known HIM
Years Before,

II was hotel clerk who told me this
II you make friends with a hotel clerk.
you will generally Gnd him ready to
tell you stories. and sometimes the sto-
ries are good.
The hotei is a New York one aud not
one of those particularly gii,led. plate
giassed and veivety piles where every
thing seems to be for splpndor and
nothing for comfort One great at
traction about the house Is its wide,
roomy hall. which is always werm in
winter and always cool In summer.
You will dnd. sitting and sprawling
about the long. broad lounges and the
big chnlrs. dozens of men who are not
registered at the hotel. nor ever have
been. nor have even invested in small
glass Of beer az the bar of the adjoin-
ing cafe.
One day in particular. In the month
of February. was great harvest time
for that hotel hnll. Every seat was oc-
cupied. and the clerk shrewdly guessed
that the fine. driving snow that had
been filling up all the chinks OF the
window frames had much 10 do with
the size OF the gathering about the
heaters. Presently man In some
what wornout overcoat entered and be-
gan kicking snow from his feet md
showering II from every part OF his
person.
The clerk. who had nothing else in
particular TO do just nj that moment,
saw that the large number of idlers
who crowded the benches rather dis
concerted him. In fact. the clerk no
ticed that the last conner was looking 4
decidedly annoyed and guessed that
bis annoyance. proceeded from the pvi-
dent fact that there was no seat for
him. He would have to loaf standing or 4
else go into the cafe and let waiter
come and ask him whaf he would take. \
which would be Inconvenienf in the
absence of the wherewithal to pay. (.
The newcomer locked at him and
seemed to take sudden resolution. rs
II he had made mp his mind that that A
clerk ought TO be satisfied Of his having
some particular business In there d
Having got Ills hat and his discolored
overcoat finally clear OF snow. he walk A
ed up to! the desk boldly and asked. "Is
Mr.. Farquiiarson stopping hercY'
(which Mr. Farquharson. sir? What
is his namey
"Er-um-er-Ronald-Ronald Farqu-
harson." !.
Where does he register from p. the
clerk asked. solemnly looking at the
register.
From-er-Ottawa.''
Ronald Farquhar~on. 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? ! don't know whether. he's
In. Yes:' his key Is here. Will You
send mp your cnrd. sir?~
The clerk had some little difficulty in
keeping his face straight while he
made these routine Inquiries Of the WIS.,
itor. for the VISITORS eyes seemed about.
to pop ont Of hix head. He opened his
mouth once or twice before speaking.
'Weil-er- -xes-that-is"-
Z Ting" the bell sounded. and a por-.
ter came forward to take the visitors
card.
'T-haven't card with me" aid 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 II ..Iohn Henry Robinson"
The bellboy took the card AWAY on q
silver waiter. and John Henry walked
MP and down.. seeming. as the clerk
thought. rather nervous.
Presently n fiorid young man In
brown tweeds came from the passage
on one side of the clerks desk. The
young man was carrying'a card In his
hand and seemed puzzled. 1
where II this person p he said.
showing the card to the clerk.
"Mr. Robinson. sir? There he il.
walking toward the door now. His
hack h turned"
ibid be say he knew meT
sHe asked for Mr.. Ronald Farquhar-
son, Ottawa. Canada"
Got my whole name all rightT'
Yes; be had # NJ pat as You have
II"
THAT'S funny" said Mr. Ronald Far
quharson. Il hare known good many
RobInsons In. my time. but never
knew that any Of them lived in New
York-l beg your pardon, sir." he add
ed, turning to. the visitor. who was
now near the desk. n think this 10
your card. You have the advantage Of
me"
.-Oh, yes," said the man in the frayed
overcoat, laughing Q rather forced
lAngh. You're Mr.. Ronald Farquhar-
spo-erof OttAWA-0ttAwa. Canada
Hsard thaf you were h New York. you
koeW.
s.1haes o0d,r ND the Canadian. II
onlJ ~ tefe Z few hcurs ago.
nes fiGhf. Gcing 10 make lung
= .1sss / ten yes abeue that