Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-16
CHAPTER VIII.

| THERE are times (as / suppose) when
l. the most aesthetic of souls will forget
the snow of lilies. and the down of a but
terfiy's wing, to revel In the grosser joys
Of say, a beefsteak. One cannot rhap-
sodize upon the beauties of a sunset. or
contemplate the pale witchery of the
moon with any degree of poetic fervor,
or any degree of comfort, whies hunger
gnaws at ones vltals, for comfort lie es-
sential to your aesthete, and, after all,
soul goes hand in hand with stomach.
Thus swung along the road beneath
the swaying green of trees past the fra
grant, blooming hedges, paying small
heed to the beauties of wooded hill and
grassy dell, my eyes constantly search
ing the road before me for some sign OF
the "Old Cock" tavern. And presently,
sure enough, I spied 1t, an ugly, fiat
fronted building. before which stood a
dllapldated horse trough and battered
sign. Despite its uninviting exterior,
hurried forward, and mounting the three
worn steps, pushed open the door. l now
found myself in a room of somewhat un-
Inviting aspect, though upon the hearth
smouldering fire was being kicked into
a blaze by a sulky-faeed fellow, to whom
/ addressed myself.
Can l have some breakfast here2"
said l
why, it's nil according, MASTER" he
answered, in a surly tone.
According to what's" said /.
According to what you want master"
why. as to that began.
Because" he went on administering a
particularly vicious kick TO the fire, "if
you was to ask me for French hortolon
or even the Jump of cam-el-being a
very truthful man, I should say-no"
But want no such things" said 1.
And 'ow am l to know that-'ow am I
to know as you amt set your cart on
the 'ump OF a cam-el?"
II tell you want nothing OF the sort"
said /, "a chop would do"
"Chop'' sighed the man, scowling
threateningly at the FIRE, "chopl'
"Or steak" 1 hastened to add.
Now it's steak!' said the man, shRk-
ing his head ruefully. and turning upon
me a doleful eye, "a steakv' he repeated;
"of course-it would be; l s'pose you'd
turn up your nose at am and eggs-it's
only 10 be expected"
ION the contrary" said I. ham and
eggs will suit me very we'll; why couldn't
you have mentioned them before7'
"Why, you never axed me as / remem-
ber." growled the fellow.
Slipping my knapsack from my shout
ders, / sat down at a small table in a
corner while the man, with a final kick
at the fire, went 10 give my order. In a
rev minutes ne TedppChfe0 Win some 0il-
let's Of wood beneath his arm, and fol-
lowed by a merry-eyed, rosy-cheeked lass,
who proceeded, very deftly, TO lay q
snowy cloth and thereupon, In due sea
son. dish OF savory ham and golden
yolked eggs
ITS lovely morningl" said /, lifting
my eyes to her eomely face.
1T Is indeed, sir" said she, setting
down the cruet with a turn Of her slen-
der wrist
which / make so bold as to deny"
said the surly man, dropping the wood
on the hearth with a prodigious clatter,
"'ow can any morning be lovely when
there amt no love in it-no. not so much
as would NIL a thimble3 ] say Il ain't
a lovely morning. not by no manner o.
means and what I says amt ashamed
on. being, nst'rally truthful mani"
with which words he sighed. kicked the |
fire again. and stumped out.
Our friend would seem somewhat
gloomy this morning" said I.
"HeVe been that way fortnight now.
come saturday" replied the slim lass.
noddlng.
YES" she continued. checking a smile. |
and signing instead; fits very sad, hs've
been crossed IN love you see air"
Poor fellow said ]. cant you try TO
console hlmT'
Me, sir-oh. mol"
And why notf / should think xou
might console man for a great deal"
why you see. sir, said she. blushins
aud dimpling very prettily. ut do 40
happen as I'm the one a. crossed him"
"Ah.-l understand" said I
I'm TO be married to a farmsr-down
the road yonder; leastways, / haven't |
quite made up my mind yet"
"A fine. tall fellow7" inquired.
'Yes-do ZEE know him, sirY''
with . handsome pair or black vvhish-
ers7f aaid J.
CONTINUED rohoRRow.