The Gay Icon Classics of the World Read Online Free PDF Page A

famished body. He quietly climbed onto the waste pile in search of food. As he scurried through for scraps he heard footsteps. Graham ducked in fearful anticipation of a cast iron pan painfully crashing upon his back. When neither pain nor pan appeared, Graham slowly looked up into the funniest face he had ever seen. The face was as round as a clock with bulbous fat cheeks. The face was blanched white with a big, fat red veined nose. The face looked curiously at Graham, but the look of wonder turned into a smile. A smile that seem to stretch from ear to ear. Graham thought that this face reminded him of the moon. The face was that of the gentleman innkeeper.

    "Fraid ye tardy for th'pickens” said the innkeeper. Still tired and aching, Graham slowly raised himself and climbed out of the dirty bin. The innkeeper took pity on poor Graham and quickly went back into his pantry to fetch fresh scraps to give to this stranger. Graham was so grateful that he immediately went into one of his maiden skits. The innkeeper thought it amusing of Graham to act in such a manner. When Graham was through performing, the innkeeper started to laugh. The laugh was no ordinary laugh, but rather a bellow-like laughter, never heard before by Graham. So engulfing was the innkeepers laugh that Graham could not help but laugh too. “Give thine old man a shot of your talent, young lass, whilst I knead m'eves baking” said the innkeeper. The innkeeper calmly added that he would provide a fair meal for a fair act. Graham followed the innkeeper into the pantry, which was located at the back of the inn. As the innkeeper carefully rolled out portions of dough on the pantry flouring table, Graham went right into his fondled maiden's routine with little energy, but he regained his strength as the act progressed. Smiling all the way, the innkeeper looked on attentively while rolling dough. He became so entranced by Graham's scene that he stopped his work. When Graham let out the maiden's shrill, it sent the jolly innkeeper into another fit of bellow-like laughter. Graham stopped performing and joined in the laughter. The enjoyment by the innkeeper received from Graham's maiden performance made Graham forget about his worries and tired aching bones. Graham's acting soon drew attention from passersby stopping at the pantry door, and by others who had gathered at the inn's den. As the story unfolded and climaxed, a roar of laugher from all around gave Graham a tingle of pleasure. Graham bowed five times and thanked them.As the crowd applauded, the innkeeper served Graham with bread, a slice of ham, and ale. Graham again bowed five times, in gratitude, then greedily devoured the meal as a lion would his prey. The innkeeper asked for another performance. Time drew on and the sun had long since passed into the woods. Darkness reigned outside, but this went unnoticed between the innkeeper and the entertaining Graham. The innkeeper eventually resumed his routine of making the evening meal for his lodgers all the while watching Graham's performance.
    When the innkeeper finished his evening’s work he invited Graham to stay the night, free of charge. “Me fair maiden—Fetch'ye some straw from the stables for thy sleep and I will see to it ye rest safe by th'pantry hearth” said the innkeeper. Graham, always the character, again bowed five times, and did so obligingly. He returned to see that the innkeeper had laid out some sacks as cover. Graham fell right into a deep sleep. The next morning Graham woke to the sweet warm smells of baking breads and pastry, and again to that jolly, fat round face leaning over the hearth. Graham could only smile to such a welcoming sight. “Fancy ye a bit of bread and brew....me little maiden?” asked the innkeeper under another round of bellow-like laughter. “I have not a pence to m'name” replied Graham. The innkeeper laid two cross buns and brew before Graham without another word. It was early