Chapman had provided generously, both of
wines and cigars, which might have seemed strange to one of his Dogtown
acquaintances. He had, however, so modified his ideas as to what
constituted strict morality as to believe it would be nothing against a
man in the other world that he had drank a glass of wine and smoked a
cigar in this.
The young gentlemen were conducting themselves in a manner not
recognized in the rules of propriety. Indeed, they had smoked so many of
Chapman's cigars, and uncorked so many bottles of his wine, and drank
the health of the family such a number of times, that they were fast
losing their wits. When, then, Bowles made his appearance in the room,
to see if there was anything he could do for the gentlemen, he found
them talking so strangely of his mistress, and making so free with her
personal appearance, that he considered it an indignity he was bound to
defend by putting on the severest look he was capable of.
"Say, Charles," said one of the young men, addressing a comrade as he
raised his glass, "who did you get your card through? What sort of a
family is it, anyhow?"
"Got mine through Gusher.
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