 | Saratoga in 1901 |  |
JOKE
THE OUT
EVERYBODY SOLD.
Congress Hall, Aug. 16th.
The joke of purchasing the Club House only came out to-day.
When the Commercial came with the list of signers and their
donations, it struck the camp of Congress Hall like a bomb-shell.
“What is the matter?” I asked Mr. Decker as he sat reading
the list while drops of cold perspiration stood on his forehead.
“Great Heavens! my dear Sir,” said he, “I would give as much
as Mr. Beekman, but I had no idea that he was going to give
over a hundred or two, and here he has gone and signed $5,500
and I'm down for the same amount!”
“And we are in the same boat too,” exclaimed Mr. Stewart,
Mr. Claflin and Major Selover. “Good Gracious! $5,500 for a
free reading-room!” And then with Mr. Brooks, Mr. Cecil and
Mr. Boody they went off to look for Mr. Beekman.
“Great Heavens, Beekman! what do you mean by signing
$5,500 for this d—d reading-room?” exclaimed Mr. Decker,
while the rest all stood by to hear Mr. B.'s explanation.
“Why, gentlemen, I mean simply that I am in earnest—that
I believe seriously that this is a good cause—that the Club
House, as Mr. Decker said, `ought to be bought at any price,'
and I signed my $5,500 in good faith, and, gentlemen, I expect to
pay it!”
“And me too?”
“Of course, you all said you would give as much as I would,”
said Mr. B. with a benevolent smile.
“Look, here Beekman,” said Mr. Decker confidentially an
hour afterwards, “I acknowledge we are caught, but I am different
from the rest, I've got a large family to support. You know
I can't afford any such subscription. Now can't you let me off
if I'll do the fair thing over at Meyer's?”
To-day Mr. Decker gave one of the most delightful dinners
of the season at Meyer's. Thirty plates—wood-cock—black
bass—buck trout and barrels of champagne. His name was
taken off the list, but every other signer is expected to pay
whenever called upon. Mr. Polhemus already has Mr. Beakman's
check for his subscription.
WATERING-PLACE POETRY.
One of the most gifted of poets handed
me this watering-place parody to-day.
I wait while drift the heavy hours away;
And like the swallows, all my thoughts go fitting,
To darling Kate, with whom they fain would stay.
Up from the spring there comes the thoughtless laughter
Of those who linger by the fountain's side;
I hear them not—my gaze still follows after
My dear lost friend—God grant no ill betide.
Out from the dance I come where loves are mating,
And music sweetly swells the eventide,
Listless I wander, while my love is waiting—
Where'er she be there would my heart abide.
All the day long I listen to her coming,
All the day long I dream of one dear face:
I hear her whispers in the trees' low humming,
I feel her kisses in the wind's embrace.
While happy voices fill the mellow air;
Alone sit dreaming, while my trembling fingers
Pass o'er my eyes half closed by doubt and care.
Ah! heavy heart, so passionate its yearning,
It cannot be that all my peace is o'er;
That all the love that in my heart is burning
On her is lost—that she can love no more!
But once to feel, unchecked, her fond caressing,
One wild, sweet hour, close to her heart to press!
There my thought stops—what else of bliss or blessing
The great world holds—I do not care to guess.
Still at my window, dreaming while their laughter
Sounds o'er the spring and up the hill above,
I lean, and wish that I might follow after
Till I could clasp my arms around my love!
FUN AT DINNER.
It is too amusing to watch the different
manners of taking dinner at our
hotels. Some people tuck the napkins
in their neck and use them as bibs;
some eat the chicken with their fingers,
totally ignoring knives and forks, and
some occupy the interval between dishes
by picking their teeth. It is very
common to see people leave the table
hurriedly and chew their dinner from the table to the door. Senator
Robertson, of South Carolina, has been so exercised about
these plebeian actions that he has been compelled to change his
table three times. He is going to make a speech in the Senate
about it when he gets to Washington.
| Saratoga in 1901 | |