The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-04-30

rem. Ia Have S"oih IL "'t' "
street"
Gould that be it-down there
where those lights are?"
mo. it was a dingy little place
Come on, let's try the next block.
They turned into another mario"
dimly-lit street which ended abruptly
little further on. 1t was these I'M
expected turnings and blind passages
that, for Helen, made the London
streets so full of charm.
Warren paused before a low door
way, over which hung a quaint
wrought-iron lantern and swinging
sign Higgins Wine Room, Est. 1749.
Here we are; here's the place. as
he pushed open the door.
Inside the walls were lined with
huge wine casks, and the air was pun
gent with the odor of wine-soaked
wood. There were few bare tables.
sawdusted floor, a long bar and
some sporting prints, yellowed with
age.
How about this? Real thing, Ell?
Now what do you want-port?"
Ports too sweet" objected Helen
mot the kind you get here. Oporto
Port, 1873" reading the label on one
of the casks. "Thatll about do for
U.s."
The barmaid drew the port, and
gave them a couple of watercress sand
witches from under a glass dome.
How about that for color?" War
rem held up his glass. THAT dry
enough?" slipping it. Couldn't get
that port at home at any price"
Helen was taking in every detail of
the bar, with its shining glasses and
polished brass. It was the first time
she had ever been in a barroom, al
though in London they are frequented
by women Of all classes.
On the end of the one of the casks
was tackled conspicuous war poster:
YOUR KING AND COUNTRY NEED
YOU-A CALL TO ARMS.
An addition of 100000 men 10 his
regular army is immediate
ly necessary in the present grave ma
tional emergency.
Lord Kitchener is confident that this
appeal will be at once responded to
by all those who have the safety of
our empire at heart.
Full information can be obtained at
any post office in the kingdom.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
Although Helen had seen this
same bulletin posted everywhere, it
seemed curiously out Of place in the
quiet, peaceful seclusion of this quaint
old tavern, with its atmosphere of
Dickens London.
Would you think she'd wear so
many bracelets?" whispered Helen,
the barmaid draw mug of
foaming ale.
"Oh, they all wear string of brace
let's, and they're strong on hair puffs.
But they're all right-a barmaid over
here is just as much respected as
stenographer or a clerk"
Yet the men all talk to her." for
two men were lounging over the bar
in a leisurely conversation.
Sure, she talks to the customers
that's part of her job. But no
ever gets fresh with
barmaid. She wouldn't stand for it,"
"Oh, Warren, look! What a
beauty" as a huge maltese jumped |
down from the bar and stalked ma.
lestically across the sawdusted floor.
With a coaxing, Kitty, kitty,
kitty" Helen held out bit of sand
wlch. The cat shifted at it, then
leaped suddenly into her lap.
"Oh, you dear, you dear!" strok.
ing the sleek fur. "I've got a Pussy
Purr-Mew at home-but she's not so
heavy as you"
put it down! You don't want that
dirty cat in your lap"
She's not dirty! You're a beauti.
,ul clean pussy cat, aren't you?"
The cat purred loudly and dug her
laws through Helens skirt as a
urther expression of content.
Pardon me, sir, may l see this?"
The man at the next table reached
or the paper Warren had laid aside.
There was an unmistakable Ameri.
AN twang to his accent when a lit
le later ne returned the paper with
sociable, well, you can't get much
Jews out OF these English papers,
They've got the press pretty well bot.
led up"
Yes, they're not giving out any
more than they can help"
Been on the continent?"
NO" Warren reached for a match
Just here in London"
You're fortunate. A month ago
vas In Berlin-took me five days to
Jet here. Wouldn't go through those
i've days again for good DEAL"
Must have been a nrettv otr.nro