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About The Omaha morning bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 16, 1923)
The Grand Babylon Hotel By ARNOLD BENNETT. ^ CHAPTER I. MiUianaire anil Waiter. Jules, the celebrated head waiter of the Grand Babylon, was bending formally towards the alert, middle aged man who had Just entered the smoking-room and dropped into a bas ke'-chair. “Yes, sir?” repeated Jules, and there was a shade of august disap proval in his voice. "Oh!” said the alert, middle-aged man, looking up at length. "Bring me an Angel Kiss.” “Pardon, sir?” “Bring me an Angel Kiss, and, be giod enough to lose no time.” ' “If It’s an American drink, I fear wo don't keep it, sir." The voice of J ules fell icily distinct, "I didn't suppose you did keep it, but you can mix it, I guess, even in this hotel." “This isn't an American hotel,,sir.” The alter, middle aged man sat up straight. “Get a liquor glass," he said half curtly, “pour into it equal quantities of maraschino cream and creme de monthe. Don’t stir it; don't shake it. Bring it to me.” “I will send the drink to^S'OU, sir,” said Jules distantly. A few minutes later Jules sat in conclave with Miss Spencer, who had charge of the bureau of the Grand Babylon. Miss Spencer had been bureau clerk almost since the Grand Babylon had first raised its massive chimneys in Eondnn. Her knowledge for Bradshaw, of steamship services, and the programs of theaters and music-halls was unrivaled. "Who's No. 107?" Jules nslted this blackrobed lady. Miss Spencer examined her ledgers. "Mr. Theodore Racksole, New York." ”1 thought he must me a New -Yorker," said Jules, "Says he wants ■*Jln '-Angel Kiss'—maraschino and cream, if you please. I'll see he doesn't stop here too long.” Miss Spencer smiled grimly. She ((’new. of course, and she knew that Jules knew, that this Theodore Rack cole must be the unique and only Theodore Racksole. the third richest man In the 1’nlted States, and there fore probably In the world. Never theless she ranged herself at onee on the side of Jules. Jn the world of hotels it was currently stated that, t ext to the proprietor, there were three gods at the Grand Babylon— Jules, the head waiter; Miss Speneer. and. most powerful of all, Rocco, the lenowned chef. The Grand Babylon, though it never advertised itself, stood an easy first among the hotels of Kurope— first In expensiveness, first in ex clusiveness. first in that mysterious quality known as "style." It was the only hotel in Rondon with a genuine separate entrance for royal visitors constantly in use. The Grand Baby lon counted that day wasted on which it did not entertain,, at the lowest, a German prince or the Maharajah of some Indian state. When Felix Babylon—after whom the hotel was christened—founded the hotel in 1869 lie had set liifnself to cater for royal ty, and that was the secret of his triumphant eminence. If there waj one thing more than another that amazed the Grand Babylon—put Its back up, so to speak —it was to be compared with, or to lie mistaken for. an American hotel. The Grand Babylon was resolutely opposed to American methods of eat ing. drinking and lodging—hut ’spe cially American methods of drink ing. The resentment of Jules, on be lng requested to supply Mr. Theodore Racksole with an Angel Kiss, will therefore be appreciated. *e "Anybody with Mr. Theodore Racksole?" asked Jules, continuing his conversation with Miss Spencer. "Miss Racksole—she’s in No. 111." "She's where?” he queried, with a peculiar emphasis. "No. 111. I couldn't help It. There was no other room with a bath room and dressing-room on that floor.” "Why dtdn t you tell Mr. Theodore Racksole and Miss Racksole that wo were unable to accommodate them?" "Because Babs was within hear ing." Only three people in the wide world ever dreamt of applying to Mr. Felix Babylon the plaful but mean ab breviation—Babs: those three were Jules, Miss Spencer and Rocco. "You’d better see that Miss Rack sole changes her room tonight," Jules said after another pause, "l^eave it sue; "I’ll fix it. Au ravoir!" At 8 o'clock precisely dinner w’as served in the immense salle a-mangcr. At a small table near one of the windows a young lady sat alone. Her frock said Paris, but her face un mistakable said New York. It was a self-possessed and bewitching face, the fac- of a woman thoroughly ac customed to doing exactly what she liked, when she liked, how she liked. I "Sorry to keep you waiting. Nel la." It was Mr. Racksole. Nella— j her proper name was Helen—smiled , at her parent. "You always are late, father.” she said. "Only on • holiday," he added. ' What is there to eat?” "Nothing." “Then let's have it. I'm hungry." j "Say. father," she said with seem ing irreverance, "had you forgotten j Its my birthday tomorrow?" “Have I ever forgotten your birth day, O most costly daughter?" "On the whole you've been a most satisfactory dad," she answered i sweetly, "and to reward you I'll be . content tills year with the cheapest ■ birthday treat you ever gave me.! h* Only I'll have It tonight." "Well," he said, with the longsnf fering patience, the readiness for any surprise, of a parent whom Nella hao thoroughly trained, "what is it?" "It's this. Ret s have filleted steak and a bottle of Bass for dinner to night. I shall love it." "But. my dear Nella,” he ex claimed, "steak and beer at The Grand Babylon! It's Impossible!" i (oiin pleak ana Ran*. mips Raclcsole set tier small white teeth. Thero was a. gentle cough. Jules stood over them. Theodore Rack solo hesltuted one second and then issued the order with a fine nir of curelessnes: "Filleted steak for two, and a bottle of Rasa.” "It's not on the menu, sir," said Jules. "Never mind. Get It. JVe want It." "Very good, sir." Jules walked to the service door and merely affecting to look behind, i a me immediately back again. "Mr. Rocco's compliments, sir, and he re girts to lie unable to serve steak and J’aes tonight, sir." "And who Is Mr. Rocco?" "Mr. Rocco is our chef, sir." Jules had the expression of a man who Is asked to explain who Shakespeare war. The two men looked at each other. It seemed lncrediblt* that Theodore Rack sole, the ineffable Rneksole, who owned a thousand miles of rail way, several towns, and sixty votes in Congress, should bn defied by u waiter, or even by a whole hotel. Yet so It was. As for Nella knowing her father, she foresaw Interesting events, and ( waited confidently for the steak. She ' did not feel hungry and she could afford to wait, "Excuse me n mUiment Nella." said Theodore Rneksole quietly, "I shall he bsek In about two seeonds." and lie strode out of the sails a manger. Hu out lu til* room recognized the i millionaire for ho was unknown to London, this being his first visit to Europe for over twenty years. Had anyone done su, and caught the ex pression on his face, that man might have trebled for an explosion which should have blown tho entire Grand Babylon into the Thames. Jules re tired strategically to a corner. Theodore Kacksole entered Miss Spencer’s sanctum. "I want to see Mr. Babylon’” he said, "without the delay of an instant.” “I am afraid"—she began the usu al formula. It was part of her dally duty to discourage guests who de sired to see Mr. Babylon. "No, no.” said Kacksole quickly, "In don't want any ‘I'm afralds.' This is business. My name is Kack sole—Theodore Karksolo.” "Of New York?” questioned a voice at the door, with a slight foreign ac cent. The millionaire turned sharply, and saw a rather short, French-looking man, with a bald head, a gray beard. "There is only one," said Theodore Kacksole. "You wish to see me?” the new comer suggested. “You are Mr. Felix Babylon?” The mAh bowed. “At tills moment I wish to see you more than anyone else in the world.” said Racksole. "I only want at few minutes quiet chat. 1 fancy I can settle my business in that time.” With a gesture Mr. Babylon in vited the millionaire down a side cor ridor, at the end of which was Mr. Babylon's private room. The land lord and his guest sat down opfio site each other. "I read in the New York papers snmo months ago,” Theodore started, without even a clearing of the throat, "that this hotel of yours. Mr. Babylon, was to be sold to a limited company, but It appears that the sale was not carried out.” "It was not," answered Mr. Baby lon frankly, "and the reason was that the middle men wished to make a large secret profit, and I declined to be a party to such a profit.” "May I ask what the price was?” "Are you a buyer, Mr. Racksole?” "Are you a seller, Mr. Babylon?” "I am," said Babylon, “on terms. The price was four hundred thousand pounds, including the leasehold and good-will.” ”1 will put one question to you. Mr. Babylon.” said the millionaire. “What have your profits averaged during the last four years?” "Thirty-four thousand pounds per annum." "I buy,” said Theodore Racksole, smiling contentedly: "and we will, If you please, exchange contract-letters on the spot.” "Precisely,” agreed Mr. Babylon, smiling. "There are details to be thought of. But It occurs to me that you cannot have dined yet, and might prefer to deni with minor ques tions after dinner.” "t have not dined," said the mil lionaire, with emphasis, "and in that connection will you do mo a favor? Will you send for Mr. Rocco?" "Rocco is a great man," murmured Mr. Babylon as he touched the bell. "My compliments to Mr. Rocco," he said to the page who answered his ■•uinmftns, "and if it is quite con venient I should be glad to see him lint e for a moment." "What do you give Rocco?” Rack sole inquired. "Two thousand pounds a year and the treatment of an ambassador.” "I shall give him the treatment of an ambassador, and three thousand.” "You will be wise,” said Felix Babylon. , At that moment Rocco came into the room, very softly—a man of for ty. thin, with long, thin hands, and an inordinately loDg brown silky mustache. "Rocco,” said Felix Babylon, “let me introduce Mr. Theodore Racksole, of New York." "Sharmed,” said Rocco. bowing. "Zc—zc vat you call it, millionaire?” "Exactly.’* Racksole put in. and continued quickly: "Mr. Rocco. I wish to acquaint you before any other per son with the fact that I have pur chased the Grand Babylon hotel. If you think well to afford me the privilege of retaining your services I shall be happy to offer you a re muneration of three thousand a year." "Three, you said?" "Three.” "Sharmed.” “And now-, Mr. Rocco, will you oblige me very much by ordering a plain beefsteak and a bottle of Bass to be served by Jules—T particularly desire Jules—at table No. 17 in the dining-room in 10 minutes from now? And will you do me the honor of lunching with me tomorrow?" Mr. Rocco gasped bowed, muttered something in French and departed. Five minutes later the buyer and sell< r of the Grand Babylon hotel had eac h signed a curt document, scrib bled out on the hotel notepaper. Felix Babylon asked no question, and It was this heroic absence of curi osity. of surprise on bis part, that more than anything else impressed Theodore Racksole. (Continued in The Morning Rer.) Five Sentenced to Jail for Dry Law Violations Five men who pleaded guilty yes terday In federal court to liquor law violations, thinking they would be let off with fines, were sentenced to Jail by Judge T. Blake Kennedy of Chey enne, who is presiding here this week. Power, light and h»at are furnished to several Titles In Italy from volca noes. ADVEBTHEMKNT. Speaks Highly of This Home Made Cough Remedy Say* It Acts With Unusual Speed— Loosen* the Mucus—Relieves the Irritation and Stops the Cough. Costs Next to Nothing—for a Big Supply. Whenever anyone In my family catches cold and begins to cough and sneeie, and hawk and breathe heavy, it doesn't take me many minutes to fix up a remedy that will drive away ull »uch troubles in double quick time. It a no secret - anyone ran make a half pint of the finest cough medicine In the world for a trifling sunt. (*et from any druggiat one ounce of Purmint (double strength) to this add a little granulated sugnr and enough water to make one-half pint that’* all there is to it. Hut now you've got a real medicine mind you the first spoonful you take acts directly on the membrane of the throat and nose, the tickling cease* «lmo*» in stantly the inflammation begin* to disap pear up comes th* stubborn mucu* tind often in ‘.!4 hour* every trace of the cough that frightened you Is gone. It's really remarkable bow this home mode remedy act* on the rnucu* mean* bran® and that is one reasoft it is so help ful to thousands of Catarrh sufferers. Biirgess-Nash Cgmrmtc “EVERYBODY’S STORE” T@day9^ Ad¥ © ip t ii s @ m ©nut foip Satimipday9^ S©MmC First Showing Men’s and Young Men’s New Spring Suits *30 to *60 Our buyer has just returned from New York, bringing with him the first of the new spring suits, each one a perfect garment from the view point o/ style, material and tailoring. Tweeds, checks and pencil stripes, perfect in cut and tailoring, correct in the details that mark them distinctly of the 1923 season. The New “Foresome” Suit This consists of a sports coat, vest, long trousers and a pair of knickers. These are very new and come in a variety of colors and materi als. Sizes 34 to 44. Saturday—Man’s Shop—Main Floor Free Instruction on Golf Every day, in our newly located Sporting Goods Dept., Herman Weiner, assistant profes sional at the Country Club, will give lessons without charge. He is there the entire day. Sporting Goods Department—Main Floor A Special Purchase of Women’s Undergarments at 95c Nightgowns, envelope chemise, petticoats, vests, stepins, bloomers, costume slips, camisoles, brassieres, bandeaux, in regular and extra sizes. Made of Crepe Dimity Batiste Voile Radinette , Nainsook in orchid, rose, jade, coral, nile, gold, pink, white; in plaid, check, stripe, figured, floral, polka dot, tailored and trimmed effects. Saturday only. Saturday—Lingerie Shop—Second Floor I Three Great Groups New Handkerchiefs 12»/2c Women' White and Col ored Linen Handker chiefs—.Specially priced lor Saturday's selling. Gingham Sports Handker chiefs—These armade of imported gingham in a variety of colors. Tissue and Lawn Hand kerchiefs in gay colors. All are imported; there are a number of designs from which to choose. Saturday—Handkerchief Shop—Main Floor Sale of Men*s Lehigh Sample Silk Hose Fine quality silk hose from a leading manufacturer. Samples of the famous Lehigh mills and every pair offered at prices far below regular. Saturday, in two great groups— At, Pair, 75c A fine quality plain silk hose in brown, black, white and gray. All sizes represented. 3 pairs, $2.00 At, Pair, $1.15 Exceptional quality, full fash ioned, fancy cloxed hose, valued at $1.50 to 92.00. Special— 3 pair*, $3.00 Saturday — Men’s Shop—Main Floor Men’s Mercerized Lisle Hose A fine mercerized lisle hose with double heel and toe. Priced spe cially for Saturday. Pair, 35c—3 pairs, $1.00 Saturday—Man’a Shop Main Floor Boys’ Two-Pant Suits Up to $16.50 tfjsr QP All Sixes Regular 6 to 17 Odd lots and broken sizes from our own fir* stock—not a garment brought in for sale pur poses. Suits of tweed, cashmere, and others mndp in Norfolk and plain belted styles. Most of them with two pairs of fully lined knickers. Regularly priced up to $16.50; now $7.95. I i Boys’ Novelty Suits Sizes QC Worth Twicx 2 to 9 Years This Priea All Wool or With Wash Women Well made little suits in all-wool serge, rash mere, flannels, tweed and combination velvet pants and soisetto blouses. The styles are made entirely of woolens, or are a combination of vel vet pants and tan soiselte blouse. Most of them have Windsor ties and rows of Viraid for finish ishing. .Sizes 2 to 8 years. Saturday—Boys' Shop—Third Floor 500 Pairs Women’s Sample Shoes $2.80 Sizes 3* 2, 4, 4l 2 Only Spring styles in pumps and oxfords—• sample shoes, the values of which we did not estimate, but marked each and even7 pair at the ridiculously low price of $2.80. Sports, Street and Dress Styles of Pat ent, Russian Kid, Gunmetal and Mu buck Leathers—in tan. black, white. Women who wear sizes 31 j, 4 and 41 will secure splendid values in straps, ties, colonial effects and oxfords with low and medium heels and welt soles. Saturday—Shoe Shop—Mam Floor Chiffon Hose For Spring Sheer and clear and perfect fitting. With out a doubt the lowest price at w hich you may buy a hose so fine. There arc all favored shades and a special price concession if you buy three pairs. Pair, $2 50 3 pairs, $7.00 Hosiery Shop—Main Floor Women s Will Appreciate the Value of These New Leather Bags □ The wide range of styles and a variety of leathers in this-group of bags afford a wonder ful selection. Hags of vaehette, cobra, grain, seal grain, fancy calf, walrus and pin seal. Mostly in black and brown. Long handles, large mirrors, outside tuck pockets, stationery inside purses. Large and small sizes in swag- I ger, pouch, envelope and square shapes. Saturday — leather Good % Shop— Main Ho©r Wear the Corset Designed for Your Figure Smartly groomed women givn morn attention to the corsets they wear than to any other article of dress, for they realise the import ance of correct corseting, Self assured is the wearer of Madame Rinner Corsets / ’or she has the confidence that only •. perfectly corseted woman knows. Spring modal* for every type of figura are priced from $5.00 to $16.00 .Saturday—Coraat Shop Main Flonr Special Kln.stic lop or me- d|na nA ilium bust models 1111 of brocade op coutil. Ifw'vv flui|Mi Nath Shop Second Floor Sale of Parfait Ivory Toilet Articles At 79c Three pieces mani cure sets, combs, shoe horns, hat brushes. At $1.19 Powder boxes, hair receivers, tray s, frames, pincushion and jewelry box, buffers. At $1.89 Mirrors. Hair brushes. Clothes brushes. Three-Piece Sets Greatly Reduced La To*ca pattern, roglllarlv $13.50. $o<»r, now . O Claoique pattern and hand decorated in 3-piece sol, regularly $10.50, S*CJ>r» now . ® La Toic* pattern in rose and gold, regularly $ 1 916.50, now.... JL Vr l.oui* XVI pattern in white. originally 97.05, now.. . ** Hut g#»» N»»h Toil*l l»ooW» Snop Main floor *