Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

Torchy and the Main Stem
Continued from page 2

more like nervous wreck than usual. take
it that he was some tired when he got up here
night before; but that he cut out dinner and
turned in for good twelve-hour snooze instead.
Then he's had quiet day, and judge he was
a lot better already.
He'd just got well into his letters, when an
attendant guy in a white duck uniform steps
in and taps him on the shoulder.
"Wel?" says Old Hickory.
"Vesper service is beginning in the chapel,
SIR says the gent.
LET it begin then" says Mr.. Ellins.
" But says the gent, it is usual for guests
1T isn'tfor mel" snaps MIR. Ellins. You get
outl'
And the gent got out.
We could hear 'em singin' hymns and SO on
for half an hour; but Mr.. Films keeps right
on goin' through his mail and maxim notes
on the envelops until six O'Clock, when a big
gong rings.
on, Torchy; I'm hungry enough to eat bale
of hay!" Then he's hardly got into his chair
in the dinin' room before he's swapping his
fingers for waiter. "Hey!" he sings out.
= Bring me dry Martini right away, and
pint of Chateau Yquem with the fish"
Excuse me-" says the waiter, but there
isn't anything like that on the bill of fare. If
it's something to drink you want, you can order
buttermilk, which is extra"
Butttermilkl" snorts Old Hickory Say,
where's the proprietor? Send him over here!'
He didn't have to call him twice; for the
boss of the Restorium had heard the row and
was glidin our way as fast his rubber heels
would let him. He's short legged, pop eyed,
red faced party, wearin' cute white side whs-
kers, black Prince Albert and a minister's
neckte.
Gently, gently" says he, pattin' the air
with his hands and puckering his mouth:
:. Remember to speak softly in the dining room.'
r;oht Doc cavc Mr. Films "but I
want cocktail.
Tut, tut, brother!" says the Doc. liftin'
warnin' finger and raisin' his eyebrows. mo
Intoxicating liquors served here, you know.
Now, glass of nice buttermilk is just what"
BAIL Buttermilkl" snorts Hickory. Think
come from a dairy?"
The Doc does his best to soothe him down
and hn'lly perSuadeS him to tackle his mutton
broth without the Martini. It's good enough
feed: but kind of plain, about what you'd get
for thirty-fve cents Mr.. Films gets left
again when he calls for a demitasse after the
tapioca pudding. Nothing doing in the coffee
line.
HUH" he grunts. Il suppose l may
smoke, eh?"
"On the north veranda, from seven until
eight fifteen" says the waiter,
"Well, Ill be-blistered!' says old Hickory.
WHILE he's burnin' couple of black per-
fectoS out on the smoke reservation, l
roams around the Restorium. It's furnished
neat and simple, with lots of vanished wood
work and few framed railroad photos on the
walls. In the parlor four five groups
of women in rockin' chairs talkin' low and dom
framework Most of the men were tiptoein'
up and down the veranda. They was stoop
shoudered, dyspeptic lookin lot. Down in the
basement in a place labeled Recreation
ROOM couple of checker games in
progress, and four gents was shown weights
up and down the SWITCHBOARD. Yes, it was
a perfectly good place to be quiet in. l could
guess why Hickory Ellins had begun to show
signs of bein' restless. By eight o'clock he
comes marchin in and up to the Office desk
Where's the billiard roomf" saws he.
There is no billiard room, brother" saws
the Doc, steppin' to the front. Here we
have eliminated all of those things that might
disturb our beautiful peace and quiet"
Have, chr" grunts Hickory. Then
where can find three Others to make up a
bridge gamer"
Gard playing" says the Doc. putting his
thumb and forefingers together, " is not allowed
in the Restorium."
Borrowing sisters by the SEAL remarks Mr.
Elins. No billiards! No cards. Say, what
the merry Mithridates do you think I'm going
to do with myself from now until twelve
o'clock, eh?'
BY referring to the rules of this establish
ment, Mr.. Films" says the Doc, speakin' cold
~, a.