The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-06-26

country sausage. rump steak and
spring chicken" said Mr.. Bacon In a
cnvernous voice, getting II over with
while the list was fresh in his mem.
DRY. Fried and boiled potatoes. beans
succotash, onions, stewed tomatoes and
-er-just a moment, please. Fried
and boiled potatoes. beans"
Ham and eggs. potatoes and a cup
or two OF coffee" said Barnes, sup
pressing n desire to laugh.
"And apple pie" concluded the
walter triumphantly. II knew I'd get
II II you gave me time. As you may
have observed, my dear sir. am not
what you would call an experienced
waiter. As a matter Of fact, L"
The bell downstairs rang violently.
Mr. Bacon departed In great haste.
While the traveller performed his alb
lutions Mr.. Dillingford. for the moment
disengaged, sat upon the edge OF the
bed and enjoyed himself He talked.
I'VE were nine at the start" said he
penslvely. "Gradually we were re-
duced to seven, not including the man.
ager. Two Of 'em escaped before the
smash. The low comedian and char
acter old woman. Joe Buckley and his
wife. That left the old mani mean
Mr.. Rushcroft, the star-Lyndon Rush
croft, you know-myself and Bacon.
Tommy Gray, Miss Rushcroft Miss
Hughes and woman named Bradley,
seven OF us. The woman named Brad
ley said her mother was dying In Buff
falo, so the rest Of us scraped together
all the money we had-nine dollars
and sixty cents-and did the right
thing by her. Actors are always do
ing darn-fool things like that, Mr..
Barnes And what do you suppose she
did7 She took that money and bought
two tickets to Albany, one for herself
and another for the manager Of the
cOmpany-the lowest, meanest orner-
lest white man that ever But am
grabbing the old mans part. You
ought TO her what he has to say about
Mr.. Manager. He can use words
never even heard Of before. So that
leaves just the four OF us here, work
ing OF the two days board bill Of
Bradley and the manager. Rushcroft's
ungodly spree, and at the same time
keeping our own slate clean. Miss
will no doubt make up your
bed In the morning. She is tempo.
rarily a chambermald. Cracking fine
girl. too. Are you all ready? I'll lead
you to the dining room. Or would you
prefer little appetizer beforehand
The taproOm is right on the way. You
call 1t the bar. Everybody In
that little graveyard town down the
road would turn over completely IL
you did. Hallowed tradition. you
KNOW"
81 don't mind having a cocktail. VIII
you Join meT
"As a matter of fact. I'm expected
TO-" confessed Mr.. DilllngfOrd. "We've
been drawing quite a bit of custom to
The taprOOm. The rubes like to sit
around and listen to conversation
about Broadway and Bunker Hill and
Did Point Comfort and other places,
md then go home and tell the neigh |
)ors that they know quite a number
II stage people. Human nature. I |
yuess. Listeni Hear that7 Rush.
,roft reclting 'Gunga Din You can't |
hear the thunder for the noise he's
Making"
The descended the stairs and en-
cred the taproom, where a dozen men
we're seated around the tables, all Of
hem with pewter mugs In front Of
hem. Standing at the top table-that
s to say, the one farthest removed
rom the door and commanding the at.
entiOn Of every creature In the room
was the imposing figure Of Lyndon
tushcrOft. He was reciting. In So
OrOus voice and with tremendous fer
or. the famous Kipling poem. A
enial smile wiped the tragic express
ion from his face. He advanced upon
'arnes and the beaming Mr.. Dilling-
ord. his hand extended.
my dear fellow" he exclaimed re-
show are your Cordial
" doomed In his voice. 81 heard you
ad arrived. Welcome-thricefold well