166 / 252
THOMPSON
After Denman Thompson, the actor, who made "The
Old Homestead" famous, and upon whom that play had
equally and probably better beneficent results.
Thompson was a patron of the Waldorf, and lived for a
time in the house. He was one of the famous men of that
day who clung to the old-fashioned boot long after it had
given place to laced shoes and Oxfords. The boot had to be
pulled on by straps, and sometimes it was hard to divest
oneself of a pair.
One day, about noon, a bellboy rushed out of the elevator
and came hurrying down the lobby, looking as if he were
being pursued. Boldt stopped him.
"It is Mr. Thompson, sir," said the boy. "He can't get
his boots off, and he is swearing terrible. I was afraid he
was going to lick me."
Boldt immediately sent for the carpenter and told him
to make a replica of an old-fashioned boot jack, by sawing
an angle out of a piece of board and nailing a block under
it. This done in quick time, he sent it with his compliments
to the actor's room, and Thompson was able to ease himself
out of his boots.. ..
One-third Italian Vermuth
Two-thirds Whiskey
Orie piece each ofOrange Peel,
Pineapple, Lemon Peel
Frappe
[ 166]