The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-10-30
FAkIR STIRS Up 4 DARKROOM.
written for Charlotte Observer.)

written for Charlotte ObSerVer.)
Many years ago-in Fay~etteville's
wicked days before the Truly Good had
reformed it from top to toe-a bad, bad
man kept u liquor saloon, with a res
taurant attached, not a hundred mics
from Market square.
This establishment was of the better
class. what would be called a espect-
able bar-room. The food was of ex-
cellent quality, and Well served; tie
wines and liquors We're as good as are
generally found; a man who drank too
much was not allowed to blow off in
noise and %rowdyism on the premises:
a minor could get no liquor If the pro-
pTIetOr knew he was under age; and
there was no Sunday back door. The
owner paid his employees literally, but
was a strict disciplinarian. n au.o-
cratically rule dthe roOst."
TINS tough dispenser of alcohol was
a tall man, with square shoulders and
heavy black mOustache, and was ve.y
neat in his dress; he had a full, PROM
Inent lower jaw, which de-
termination; deep-set eyes under beet
ling eyebrows, which evinced temper,
controlled by his will; a deliberate.
hesItatlng II of speech, which
showed Watchfulness of himself. and
the world arOund him. His bar-keep-
er was q heavy-Set man, much addict
ed TO Waistcoats and cheap jewelry.
but mixing all kinds of drinks to the
queens Cor the king's) taste. The cook
having charge of the was
q bright mulatto, who prepared oys-
tiers n birds in his own way, which.
his patrons said was the best way in
the world, and made his own artichUke
pickles. perhaps the best pickles ever
manufactured.
1t was between 9 and 10 o'clock on
the evening of the last day of the Cum
oerIand county fair early in the month
OF November. Since sunset a slow,
cold rain had been falling, through
which the street lamps shone blurred
and fearful. blinking down despondeI.t-
~ on the puddles at the crossings.
Few pedestrians were about in that
part of town, but up on Hay street the
lobbies of the old Fayetteville Hotel
were ovid with visitors to the
fair, and lights cleaned through the
windows on all the upper floors, where
pretty women and gallant men were
preparing for the grand ball in lne
Williams opera house.
The proprietor of the saloon was
seated oil Il high stool behind the bar.
smoking Il fragrant cigar, and reading
q newspaper. while the bartender was
washing glasses al the sink. or putting
things to rights, for business promised
to be dull until the young bloods, re-
leased from the ball. would crowd in
TO make a night of it" till daybreak.
Just then. around the screen at the
front door. appeared a nan evidently
a stranger in the place, apparently
about 80 years of age, slender. swarthv.
with bright, ShIfty eyes, q slight black
mouStache and dressed as loud" as a
brass ban He advanced to the ba..
called for a whiskey toddy, and made
some remarks about the "beastly
weather" While he slipped his mug.
he expressed 4 wish for an oyster stew
If" he said, the cook knows how
to fix 'em, for you seldom find them
fit to eat this side of New York"
This brought out the proprietor, tact
turn as he generally was, and he III
dulged in a few vigorous cOmmenda-
ions Of the excellence of his cook.
Ordering a bottle Of beer with his
oysters the stranger went back into
the eating Dom and about that time
two old stagerS walked into the saloon,
who were ON their way home; but, like
Gabriel Arden in front of the Maypole
Inn. in Dickens "Barnaby Rudgs,"
they were unable to resist the warmth
and cheer glowing through the window,
contrasting with the gloom without.
They were comfortable elderly bucks
well shod against the mud and water,
with warm wraps who evidently took
good care of themselves. cOlOring their
cheeks and noses slowly and in mod
Grafton. as the smoker colors his meer-
Schaum-the sort of free livers who
never take a drink before Call
Ing for something to keep the cold
out" as they expressed it. they seated
themselves at a table. and were soon
engrossed in a game OF dOminOes.
In a few minutes the strange man
came out from his p and. al
though when he entered the saloon &c
seemed cold sober. his whiskey at the
bar and his beer with oysters had
about "throwed" him. for he stumbled
in the restaurant doorway. and Sway-
ed back and forth As he paid his bill,
and lighted Il cigar at the counter.
Making his way unsteadily to an arm
chair. he settled himself back. IN q
minute or two the lighted cigar fell 10
the floor. he folded his arms aCrlss
his chest. his head Il neck shrank
down into his collar. and he went fast
10 sleep-at least. 1t looked so.
The proprietor smoked out his cigar,
folded the paper. got to his feet.
stretched himself. yawned dismaEy,
gave ON Instructions to his bar-
tender. and went off to bed-for he
was an old bachelor. and lac rooms
on the upper floor back, the ear OF
the building extending up to two SO
ries. though the front. containing the
bar-TOOm. was Of only one story.
Quiet reigned in the saloon for 4
while with only a movement now and