1931 Old Waldorf Bar Days by Albert Stevens Crockett

OldWaldorf Bar Days spots where he usually appeared. In the lobby, during the afternoon, however, he happened to see Doyle first, and beckoned to him. Doyle approached, quaking in his boots. But Boldt was smiling. "Oh, Mr. Doyle," he said with a chuckle, "did you see the Sun today?" With a straight face but shaking inwardly, Doyle pleaded complete ignorance. "Well, it's the funniest thing you ever saw," Boldt went on. "A story about one of our bellboys. I was so amused by it that I sent a copy to Mr. Astor (William Waldorf Astor, owner of the original Waldorf) who, I know, will get a good laugh out of it." Doyle immedi– ately passed the good word to Killackey, and then for the first time that day the two were able to smile. On at least one occasion, Killackey proved to be a per– son of ready resource, justifying not only Boldt's confi– dence in him and in the quality of the liquor served in the hotel as well, but enabling the hotel proprietor to witness a demonstration that one who had disparaged his spirits had spoken out of turn. And that mistaken critic was Boldt's own,:wife. Mrs. Boldt-a very charming woman she was-be– lieved she knew the difference between cocktails. One day she said to her husband, "George, how is it our bartenders cannot make a cocktail as good as is served at the Holland House?" The Holland -House was a rival establishment a few blocks down Fifth Avenue, famous for its bar and the [70] THOUGHT SHE KNEW COCKTAILS