Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1915-05-05

rem. I'D nave sworn IL was on THIS
street"
Gould that be it-down there
where those lights are?"
mo, it was dingy little place
Come on, let's try the next block"
They turned into another narrow
dimly-lit street which ended abruptly
a 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 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 a 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" reaiing 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
wiches from under 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. 1t 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 to his
majesty's regular army is immediate
Iy necessary In the present grave ma
tional emergency.
Lord Kitchener is confident that this
appeal will be at once responded to
by all thosa 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.
koL
same bulletin posted everywhere, it
seemed cuIiously out of place in the
quiet, peaceful seclusion of this quaint
old tavern. with it's atmosphere of
Dickens London.
Would you think she'd wear so
many bracelets?" whispered Helen,
watching the barmaid draw mug of
foaming ale.
"Oh, they all wear string OF brace
lets, and they're strong on hair puffs.
But they re all right-a barmaid over
here is Just as much respected as a
stenographer or a clerk"
'"Yet the men all talk to her." for
two men were lounging over the bar
In a leisurely conversation.
"Surs, she talks to the customers
that's part of her job. But no
Englishman ever gets fresh with a
barmaid. She wouldn't stand for it."
ooh, Warren, look! What a
beauty!" as a huge maltese Jumped
down from the bar and stalked ma
jestically across the sawdusted floor.
With a coaxing. Kitty. kitty,
kitty Helen held out a bit of sand
witch. The cat shifted at it. then
leapei suddenly into her lap.
"Oh, you dear, you dear!" strok-
Ing the sleek fur. 1--WE got 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-
full clean pussy cat, aren't your"
The cat purred loudly and dug her
claws through Helen's skirt as a
further expression of content.
Pardon me, sir, may I see this?"
The man at the next table reached
for the paper Warren had laid aside.
There was an unmistakable Ameri-
can twang to his accent when a lit
tie later he returned the paper with
sociable, well, you can't get much
news out of these English papers.
They've got the press pretty well bot
tied up"
"Yes, they're not giving out any
more than they can help"
Been on the continent?"
NO." Warren reached for match,
Just here In London"
You're fortunate. A month ago /
vas in Ber1in-took me five days to
get here. Wouldn't go through those
five days again for a good DEAL"
Must have been a pretty strenuous
trip"
Strenuous! / saw three poor devils
dragged out and shot. Two of them
died game. but the other, big strap
ping fellow, towel, it wasn't a
pretty sight"
Helen listened breathlessly while he
told of the narrowing experiences of
that journey He was from New York,
and he talked Importantly of his in
terests there and of his large letter of
credit that had been useless.
When finally he left them, Helen
looked after him much impressed.