Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-11-24
His Self Invited Guests
tOriginall

lOrginall
Paul Gridley, junior partner in the
firm of Johnson, Stokes & Co., having
gone to N. to collect a long outstand-
ing account and having received a
check for $10,962.50, drew the money
from bank and went to his hotel with
II. Having other business at n. to
transact the next day, he was obliged
to remain overnight. During the after
noon he took a walk to kill time and
met man who as he passed sang out:
Hello, Gridley. What are you doing
here" Gridley stopped to look at the
man, whom he did not recognize, but
he passed on. saying that he was in
hurry.
That evening while Gridley was sit
ting in his room a card was brought I'D
to him bearing the name Joseph Con
DON"
He was looking at the card. trying to
place the man whose name it bore,
when the door was pushed open, and
Mr.. Condor entered.
Don't know that you remember me,
Mr.. Gridley," he said. 1--WE seen you
at the store often and have bought
lot of goods of your concern. The
truth is, I've come up here ON a matter
of business and was hurrying to get
through when | met you ON the street
Couldn't manage it and had to stay
over in this beastly town, where
don't know soul. l thought of you
and hunted you up"
Il can't exactly place you," said
Gridley. There are so many custom
ers coming and going that l can't re-
member them all. Besides, l have
charge of the accounts and don't do
much selling"
Mr.. Condor settled himself in a chair
and talked volubly on general subjects,
while Mr. Gridley did most of the lis
tening. Presently up came another
card with the name Robert c. Perry"
name Gridley did not recognize
any more than that of Mr.. Condor.
He, however, directed that the new
conner should be shown to his room.
Mr.. Condor, who seemed to have set
tied himself TO Il pleasant evening,
looked annoyed at being disturbed.
Mr.. Perry was q ford man, with
pleasant smile, and came in joyfully.
Grldley rose to receive him.
BEG pa'don for trespassing, Mr..
Gridley," he said effusively; but, see
Ing your name on the register from my
native place, | yentured to send you
my card with a view to asking about
some of my old friends"
Il shall be very happy to serve you,
Mr.. Perry. This is Mr.. Condor. Mr..
Condor, Mr.. Perry. | suppose we are
all bored at being in a strange town
and should help each other out"
The three sat down together AMIGA
bly,. Mr. Perry asked about several of
his old friends but Mr.. Gridley didn't
happen to know any of them. Mr. Con
don produced cigarettes. Mr.. Perry
took one, but Mr.. Gridley said he
never smoked.
Mr.. Perry asked permission to order
up cocktails, which was granted
though Mr.. Gridley said he never
drank Mr.. Perry, however, told the
waiter to bring three cocktails. When
they came he took one of them to the
gas jet, saying that he thought there
was something in It," Finding some
thing, he took the other two glasses
there on the tray for inspection. FL
nally he was satisfied and set them on
the table. Mr.. Condor drank one, but
Mr.. Gridley steadily refused. This was
not remarkable, for he was superin-
tendent of a Sunday school and never
drank a drop Of any liquor. This left
the two strangers to accept each 9th
er's Inequalities. Both demonstrated
at the position they were placed in as
guests, using a hosts room to treat
themselves in, but Gridley was immov-
able. Mr.. Perry puffed away on Mr..
Condon's cigarette, and Mr.. Condor
drank Mr.. Perrys cocktail.
Presently Gridley noticed that the
conversation was growing a trlhe
heavy. He looked at his self Invited
guests and saw that they were both
looking drowsy.
81 fancy" he said, that you gentle
men are no more used to liquor than |,
| Judging from the effects Of one glass;
Mr.. Condor tried to make a joVial
reply, but while doing so his head fell
upon the back of his chair, and he
snored Mr.. Perry attempted to go tc
the window, but fell over on the bed
Gridley summoned an attendant, the
clerk was called, and, Gridley having
explained the circumstances, the two
men were taken to another room. How
they could have got drunk on one cock
tail no one could explain. 1t was sur
missed that they had been drinking be
fore the call.
The next morning Mr.. Gridley left
the hotel early and did not return to II
before taking the train for home. On
the next Sunday morning before going
to his Sunday school, taking up pa
per, he was surprised to read:
Our esteemed fellow citizen, Mr.
Paul c. Gridley, while recently visit
Ing n. received two callers who 1t Is
supposed intended to drug and rot
him. Drinks were ordered and olga