Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-05-16
THE GATEWAY OF THE SUN
And a Few Pointers Regarding Hoo
tel Charges In Spain.

| ana ~ CIV Atp-
tel Charges In Spain.
"This." said mine host of the Hotel
de Paris us he led us into a suit Of
rooms on the noble foor-"this," said
he as he shot the heavy iron bolts and
bars which fastened the prisonlike
Spanish windows-'this," said he as he
! flung open the ponderous shutters with
rattle and clash and clang-"this is the
Puerta del Sol"
1t was indeed the Gateway Of the
Sun. AS gazed upon it gasped. An
other illusion gone.
Our host looked scrutinizingly into
our faces that he might note the effect
upon us of this imposing sight BY the
way, the relations between our host
and ourselves were slightly strained.
We had insisted on leaving our lug
gage on top of the coach until we had
found rooms to our liking. Leaving
ones luggage in that way usually has
an excellent moral effect on continental
hotel keepers They always begin by
showing you their highest priced
rooms, including magnificent and
funeral salon." then, If your lug
gage has been brought up. they insist
there are no other rooms. Therefore it
is well to leave your luggage on the
coach and if the rooms are not to your
liking go TO another hotel.
But we had struck naughty Castil-
ian host with the soul Of a hidalgo.
He did not like the caution shown by
our failure to bring in our luggage,
and he plainly showed it by his man
ner. So he attempted to crush us by
the magniiicence Of the Puerta del Sol.
l gazed out upon the Gateway Of the
Sun. | saw before me shabby square
surrounded by dingy buildings. In
front of these dingy buildings there
lolled, lounged, lay and sat dingy idlers
and shabby beggars. Upon the surface
of the square one saw no tree, nor
shrub, nor patch Of green, only large
expanse of dingy pavement. 1t was
strewn with old newspapers, cigarette
stumps and orange skins. Over the
shabby bosom Of the square glided
dingy, shabby tram cars. And this
was the Gateway Of the Sun.
How much?' said l to our host.
"How much day, senor for these
roOms-the whole business-everything |
included - TODD compreso - tout COM
priS?'
Our host rubbed his hands together
and replied slowly. Thirty pesetas." i
For two personsY
mo" replied the host in an explana-
tory tone, per person"
"Then that makes 90 pesetas," re-
marked.
Eyes, 80 pesetas-tout compris-ev.
included"
"DOes it include service?"
"N-O-o-o," replied our host. Service
IS extra-it will be ~ pesetas,"
'For both?
'N-o-O-O-per person"
THAT makes 3 pesetas more. Does
It include light"
Yes" said the host brlskly, eight
included"
Candles or electric light"
II meant candles" admitted the host
'Then the electric light is extraY"
Eyes, but it is only half peseta per
lay"
For two persOnsW
"N-o-o-o," admitted the host, 81 pc
eta for two persons"
THAT makes Go pesetas instead Of
TO-" said l. as there anything else to
re added in this tout compris? Do you
harge anything for the view of the
'uerta del Sol?'
The hosts blue blood rose. "Evi.
lently, senor," he said stifly, you do
lot desire these rooms will there
ore withdraw them from your consid-
ration" And he stalked away in
udgeon.
We subsequently inflicted on our
aughty host the pain Of seeing the
rass bound menials of his rival across
be square bear our belongings away
} the Hotel de la PaZ, where we soon ;
'ere very comfortably housed.-Jer-
me Hart in Argonaut. |