The Argosy — page 395: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Life at Gastein. 375 “IT have so much to do,” he said, as if mn apology. “For two moments together I cannot be certain of myself. Take yesterday, for example. Two of your compatriotes were arriving: two charming ladies : and I went out to meet them as far as the Café Vergismeinnicht. You see 1 thought a welcome would cheer them up. Would you believe the trouble they gave me !” What trouble?” I asked, as he paused. “This trouble. A fortnight ago they write me word they are coming to Gastein, and I must engage rooms forthem. Ididso. Four days ago they write me word their plans are altered and they are not coming. So I, pay twenty guilden for the rooms and give them up. Yesterday they write me word they have returned to their former plans and are coming: will I keep the rooms. But if it is permitted to ladies to change their minds, it is also permitted to inn-keepers to let their apart- ments.” ‘The rooms were gone, I suppose P ” “As soon as I get this letter from these charming but changeable ladies, I rush off to the Hirsch and the rooms were occupied: let but an hour before to a Russian countess, who engaged them because they are quiet and she could take the air without being stared at. So yesterday I meet these ladies and say, ‘ My dear ladies, Iam delighted to welcome you once more to my beloved Gastein, but your rooms are no more.’ Well, we went all over the place, and they could find nothing to their mind. ‘Twenty-five rooms in the Hirsch, but, would you credit it, every one sans stuffs.” “Without what ?” I cried, puzzled. “ Stuffs, my dear sir ; stuffs ; not one with stuffs, you know.” “ But I don’t know,” I returned, unable to guess at his meaning. ‘Twenty-five rooms and all unfurnished ? ” ‘No, no,” exclaimed the doctor. Chairs, tables, and beds in abun- dance, but no stuffs. You see, the ladies not being in good health, are often cold, and require a fire.” “Qh !” cried I, bursting into laughter, as light dawned. ‘“ You mean stoves. The rooms were stoveless.” “Stoves, then,” replied the doctor, repeating the word correctly. “ What did I say to make you laugh so P” “Where did you finally leave the ladies?” I asked, passing over his question. “ At the Solitude. And there they are, comfortably settled. I won- der what is going on at my villa,” he added, pointing to the flag that was still flying. An invasion, perhaps.” ‘‘ Some more goats, for instance, and no Don Quixote to frighten them away.” “‘f doubt that,” he laughed. ‘‘ But let us go and see. Have you aught to do in particular ? COMIC OOOKS. EO in —_)