His
dress was simple and exceedingly neat. It was impossible not to see
that the famous journalist was a gentleman.
As I had visited him purely upon a matter of business, I dispatched it,
and then rose to take my departure. But he urged me with persistent
cordiality, not to desert him. He saw few persons, he said; I must stay
and dine with him. I had business? Then I could attend to it, and would
do him the favor to return.
Looking at my watch, I found that it was nearly two o'clock--he had
informed me that he dined at four--and, not to detain the reader with
these details, recurring to a very retentive memory, I found myself,
two hours afterward, seated at table with the editor of the _Examiner_.
The table was of ancient, and brilliantly-polished mahogany. The dinner
consisted of only two or three dishes, but these were of the best
quality, excellently cooked, and served upon china of the most costly
description. Coffee followed--then a great luxury--and, not only the
sugar-dish, cream-jug and other pieces of the service were of silver;
the waiter upon which they rested was of the same material--heavy,
antique, and richly carved.
We lingered at table throughout the entire afternoon, my host having
resisted every attempt which I made to depart, by taking my hat from my
hand, and thrusting upon me another excellent Havana cigar.
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