Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-05-15
The GATEWAY OF THE SUN
And a Few Pointers Regarding Ho-
tel Charges la Spain.

AnC a Few Pointers Regarding IIo-
tel Charges la Spsia.
This" said mine host of the Hotel
&c Paris as he led US into n suit OF
rooms On the noble hoor-"this." said
he as he shot the heavy iron bolts and
bars which fastened the prisonlil<e
Spanish windows-"this," said he as he
flung open the ponderous shutters with
rattle and clash and clang-"tbis is the
Puerta del Sol"
1t was indeed the Gateway Of the
Sun. AS l g0zed 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
on excellent moral effect on continental
hotel keepers. They always begin by
showing you their highest priced
rooms, including magnificent and
funeral salon." then, il your lug
gage has been brought up, they insist
there are no other rooms. Therefore il
Is well TO leave your luggage on the
coach and IL the rooms are not TO your
liking 90 to another hotel.
But we had struck naughty Castil-
ian host with the soul of 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 magnificence of the Puerta del Sol.
L gazed out upon the Gateway of the
Sun. i saw before me a 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 n 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 q day, senior, for these
rooms-the whole business-everythin
included - TODD compreso - tout COM
pris?'
Our host rubbed his hands together
and replied slowly, Thirty pesetas."
"For two personsT'
"No," replied the host in an explana-
tory tone, per person."
''Then that makes 60 pesetas," / re-
marked.
Eyes, GO pesetas-tout compris-ev-
erything included
Docs it include servicer
"N-o-o-o,' replied our host Service
is extra-it Will be u pesetas"
"For both?"
N-o-o-o-per person"
'That makes , pesetas more. Does
1T include light?"
Eyes" said the host brlskly. light
included"
Candles or electric light?"
Il meant candles" admitted the host.
Then the electric light Is extra ?"
Yes, but it is only half a peseta per
day"
"For two pcrsonsT'
"N-o-o-o," admitted the host, 81 Pc
seta for two persons"
THAT makes Go pesetas instead OF
3d. said |. els there anything else TO
be added in this tout compris? DO you
charge anything for the view of the
Puerta del SolY'
The hosts blue blood rose. "Evi-
IDENTITY, senor,' he said stiffly, "you do
not desire these rooms. will there
fore withdraw them from your consid-
eration.' And he stallxed away in
dudgeon.
We subsequently inflicted on our
naughty host~the pain OF seeing the
brass bound menials OF his rival across
the square bear our belongings away
TO the Hotel de In Paz. where we soon
We're very comfortably housed.-Jcr-
ONE Hart In Argonaut.