The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1904-02-03
CHAPTER XVI.


W. OWN the Father of Waters a
month or so after their fight
~ into the blue grass country
steamed the packet bearing
the company of players to New Or
leans.
Drawing up in due course TO the
levee, they became Il part Of the gen
eral hustle and confusion; hurredly
disembarked rushed about for their
luggage, because every one else was
rushing: hastily entered carriages, of
which there was a limited supply, and
were whisked Off over the rough cob
blestOnes which constituted the princi-
pal pavements Of the city.
The hotel was finally reached, and
what unique hostelry ii was! set
the st. Charles down i'm st. Peters
burg" commented a chronicler I'm 1916,
"and you would think it a palace; in
Boston. and ten to one you would
christen it a college; in London, and il
would remind you of an exchange" 1t
represented at that day the evolution
of the American tavern, the primitive
inn, instituted for passengers and way
faring men: the development Of the
pothOuse to the metropolitan hotel, of
the rural ale room to the palatial sa-
loon.
what a change from country hos
telries." soliloquzed the manager after
the company were installed in commo-
diOuS rooms.
Beneath the porch and reception hall
extended the large barroom, where
several score of men were enjoying
their liquors and lunches, and the hum
of conversation, the blinking Of glasses
and the noise made 10y the skillful
mixer of drinks were as sweet music
to the manager when shortly after he
strobe to the bar.
why, it's Utopia" thought Barnes.
Every one is happy.
But even as he thus ruminated his
glance fell upon an old man seated
at a table whom the walters treated
with such Difference the manager con
cluded he must be some one of no
slight importance. This gentleman was
thin. wrnkled and worn, with a face
Voltairean i'm type. his hair scanty, his
dress elegant and his satirical smile
like the flash of a dagger in the sun
light" He was inspecting his bouillon
with manifest distrust, adjusting his
eyeglass and thrusting his head close
10 the plate. The look of suspicion
deepcned and finally grimace Of tri-
umph illumined his countcnance rs he
raped excltedly on the table.
waiter. waiter. do you see that
SOUP" he almost shouted.
Yes. NJ. lie Marquis" was the hum
bic response.
Look at it WELL" Numbered the old
gentleman. "Do you find nothing ex-
traordinary about itE'
Again the bouillon was examined, TO
the amusement of the manager.
Il am sorry VI. le Marquis, can de
tect nothing unusual" politely respond
ed the waiter when he had concluded
a painstaking scrutiny with all the
gravity and seriousness attending so
momentous an investigation.
"You are bllnd" exclaimed the old
man. "See there; a spot of grease
floating in the bouillon, and there an
other and another, In fact here is an
archipelago of Greece" This With
cism was relieved by an ironical smile.
"Take if away"
The waiter hurried off with the Of
Tending dish, and the old man looked
immensely satisfied over the disturb
ance he had created
"Wcll has it been said" thought the
manager, that the destiny OF a ma
ton depends upon the digestion of its
first minister. l wonder what he'll do
neXtT'
Course after course that followed
was rejected, the guest keeping up a
running comment
"This sauce is not properly prepared.
This salad is not we'll mixed. | shall