The sun., 1901-07-07
BIXBY'S BEST HOLD.
First n Was Breakfast, Then Lsschesn. Thsa
Dinner -Bosgs Puzzled.

DinueI-noBBS = Ee400s
BiIby had q famous appetite and he was
proud Of IL. He never seemed to miss q
chance to proclaim his capacity for absorbing
food: no matter how much hard liquor he
had consumed the night beforehand he was
no light drinksr-he was always ready Tor
his breakfast promptly on the moment at
$50 o'clock In the morning. 1t was his con-
slant habit when meeting boon companion
the day after a hard bout with the glasses
to give him detailed account OF the enormous
breakfast he had eaten. The effect produced
by the recital OF these proofs Of the wrought
iron qualities Of BiIby's stomach was not
always ono Of boundless Joy. but Bixby never
seemed to notice that.
Onco Bixby undertook a trip 70 the far
West. He hnd q friend In Chicago whom he
had not seen in years who had often
expressed desire by mail to have BiIby
visit him. So the traveller thought II would
be good idea TO stop over day at the Windy
City and look Boegs up. He wired Bosss
the date Of his arrival. and Bogss was at the
station 70 meet him when the New York
train pulled In at o clock on bright morning
Of juno.
BiIby. OF course. was hungry, Tho drive
through the brsoins morning air shsrpsnsd
his appetite to such an extent that he felt
that he could eat fried horse with relish when
be reached Boggs's house. After he was
introduced to Mrs. Boggs and the children
no began to fldget about and wonder II they
ever ate breakfast In Chicago. There was
a hitch somewhere. that was certain. for Mrs.
Boges was called from the room by q scared
looking servant, and when she returned
shortly thereafter her face was flushed and
her eyes flashed Ere. But she did not reveal
the cause OF her emotion.
After Bixby had suffered an hour from
all the tortures that the panss OF hunger
could infict breakfast was announced. The
guest fell upon the food with Q. yisor that
He ieN Tackled dish after dish with the relish
OF nearly everything on the table. not TO
ns3fSn Whsn his his hSnssr had been pr.t.y.
his host and hostes. might be q pit shocked
would soften the effect Of the display on them.
MY appetite hasn't left me. you see.
'Toye.. 1 hO.iSed thss IT hadn't said
Boggs who was caught Of HI, guard.
Mrs Bosss . nushsd he'd ana S Mied 70 i, swsSh inc
best hod.s he remarked sIrily'
Mr., Bgf cut ss01t the Tnpy sm Ss Scs Ss
Intended 10 entertain his friend,
9h tha. win be all right IT, be ,s.S sssid winsins
The morning was one continuous round
OF handsha king and visits 70 the ornate bars
o. the business district: around ! O'clock
out divers hints "a to luncheon and It's pleas
ures Bogzs grssped the idea at once, They
Boggs suddsnlv remembered he had an i'm
portant en- gn cement at his bank. 80 he posted
OF. promising TO return 10 twenty minutAs,
vas harIpast wd T wth henser sed 70 impn na
Al the restaurant they ordered an elabo-
rate meal the psSe saS Ss o. sboSe
two and half pounds Biyby fell to with
hi4 usual vigor and Boggs watched him eat
TES,' piece the huge steak disappeared down the
Now Workers. throat until there was nothing
ieft but thc bqre 10 bone u,b,iny finally mx6y p,y
leaned hnck in his chsir
Il feel better. now. he said,
Il should think you would said Bosgs
smiling You're a wonder with the knife
"''i Il dc do enjoy a good meal said BlHby
"especially lunch ,-,,
WI SBpcnnse Ca lunch always was my best hold
retnrned Bi,hy calmly. pou .,on.,.,
Tie afternoon proved to be another whirl
Of pleasure. Bogg. got cab and drove HE
aEe 1nf ron S1p and other points Of interest in Rs
city hating frequently. 70 irnotbe high balls
Of scotch II was ] O'CLOCK when they got
tSe steps Bixhy cOnnded to his friend the
fact that he was almost starved.
"Great air here for stimulating the ap-
sa Hstte IN my hS ia before never saw 'ny'n'ns
'H1 n IN siad i i agrees with you so we'll, re-
piled tho host, uSherine him IN 49,,
occurred in the domestic machinery In the
morning had been r,epaired and that tho
whole had been well oiled during the absence
gadIonf In gown Of white silk and no scared
iooGing servant mtruded herself on the happy
chatter which preceded the evening meal
after the men arrived and Blrby's eyes gls-
tened AZ course after course Of perfectly
cooked food was spread ID, oetors ts him I Never
been in such trim or had he 40 thoroughly
enioved the operation Of appsasng It, He
nsyeer YER table and the best hs could do on this
occasion was to answer in .monosyllables
such questions as were fred point blank
al lin The host and hostess glanced oc-
BiXbv da not see them.
Tho Tho battle had lasted nearly two hours
,Ea coree the guest Frightened up conver-
sntionaily and cvgi told funny story about
a New York policeman Ihen he told about
some famous banquets at which he had sat
down
Mrs Boggs i never sothoroughly enjoyed |
a feast az that one ! have Just finished II
vas not only that the food was delicious
hui II was served at exactly tho proper time
I think a mans appetite ia at its best In the
evening -, - .,,
,ton out Of light meal. such as breakfast"
snid Roggl looking at hia wife
"Tbat may be, mid BiNby, but have No
hesitation in saying that dinner Il my best
hold ..,..,., -, .. o..
again Bixby continued 10 SIP his coffee
BSggs's look of amazement soon turned into
'"'oh, saw" he cri-d. how can that be- old
fellow I thought-
Ia IL true that Melba will not sing In New
york neyt year?" broke In the hostess with
a witherinR glance AZ her spouse.
Bixbv confessed he did not go much on
grand opera lie said he liked coon songs
Better and soon Afterwards they LETT the
table.
Tire guests train was to leave at II and
Boyss Insisted on accompanying him TO the
station Boggs seemed greatly preoccupied
on the wav down. After they had had few
drinks IN q saloon near the station bis tongue