Down the line with John HenryHobart, George V. (George Vere)
General
Down the line with John Henry
Hobart, George V. (George Vere)
Americanisms -- Fiction; Humorous stories; Short stories; Upper class -- United States -- Fiction; Young men -- Fiction
They found a monkey wrench imbedded in his left shoulder which he
couldn't remember using when he tried to fix the machine.
She was traveling for his health.
"My room is too near the elevator," she informed Steve.
"I can give you a very nice room on the third floor--Front! show the
lady----"
"Same size room?"
"Yes, Madam."
"Same colored carpet on the floor?"
"I believe it has--Front! show the lady----"
"Southern exposure?"
"Yes, Madam, it's at the end of the hall."
"I want a room near the elevator, that's always the way in these
hotels! One can never get just what one wants! At the end of the
hall, indeed!" And with this she gave Steve the Society sting with
both eyes and flounced out.
Steve bit the end off a pen holder and said the rest internally.
Just then a couple of troupers trailed in.
They were with the "Bandit's Bride Co.," and the way had been long
and weary.
"What have you got--double?" asked the villain of the piece.
"Two dollars and up!" said Steve.
"Nothing better?" inquired Low Comedy--he was making a crack but
nobody caught him.
"Four dollars, with bath," Steve suggested.
"Board?" asked the villain.
"Nothing but the sleeps and a fresh cake of soap," said Steve.
"Ring down!" Low Comedy put in; "Why, we lived a whole week in
Pittsburg for less than that."
"You can turn the same trick here if you carry your own coke and
sleep in the Park," said Steve.
"What's the name of this mint?" asked the villain.
Steve told him.
"To the tow-path!" said Barrett Macready; "we're outside the life
lines. We thought it was the Liverwurst Hotel where they throw
things at your appetite for $1 a day, double. To the left, wheel!
Forward, march!" and once more the drama was on its way.
As Low Comedy turned proudly on his heel he threw upon the counter a
printed card.
Steve had it framed and glued to the wall next day.
It read as follows.
HOTEL RULES--HELP YOURSELF.
RULE 1.--We cash no checks drawn on Papa. He's a dead one.
RULE 2.--Eat all our booze you want to, but go elsewhere and select
your snakes.
RULE 3.--Don't call the waitress by her first name. She's liable to
spoil your appetite.
RULE 4.--Guests who desire to have nightmare will find the harness in
the restaurant, so back up!
RULE 5.--To prevent guests from carrying fruit from the table we'll
have no fruit. We're lucky to have the table.
RULE 6.--If you feel tired, go away back and sit down.
RULE 7.--In case of fire jump out the window and turn to the left.
RULE 8.--Breakfast from 4 to 3; dinner from hand to mouth, and supper
from what's left over.
RULE 9.--Hug as many high-balls as you please, but don't wave the red
flag in the office--you might disturb Harold Spotwood, the room
clerk. He was out late last night.
RULE 10.--If you don't like your room, kick the bell-boy. Apply at
the office for spiked shoes.
RULE 11.--If you don't see what you want ask for it and you'll get
it--good and hard!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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