Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-06-14
MAKING HIMSELF USEFUL.

During the session OF l796-'7a a wealthy mer-
chant-in conformity with the custom Of the
times-gave dinner partyto few of gen.
tlemen, among whom was member Of Con-
gress of that period. On tho appointed day,
however, the lady Of the house was some
what annoyed at an early hour by the intru.
sion of an old man at the dor. Having
been met by a servant, lie inquired If the
proprietor of the house--whom we will call
Mr.. Topham-was at home. Upon receiy-
ing negative reply, and being furthermore
informed that he would not be at home for
some three or four hours, the old man said:
"Well, being as | am here, may as well re-
main until he comes" "Plesse wait mo-
ment," said the servant, /" | will call Mrs.
Tophan to the door, land see what she will
coy" The servant then ran and called the
merchants wife,who made her Appearance
The old man then repeated what he had said
to the servant-that being as he was there
he might as well remain until her husband
came. "Well," replied Mrs. T. "If you will
stay, just walk through The alley and &C
back to kitchen and take seat"
Nothing daunted, the old man obeycd or.
ders, and passed through the alley to the
kitchen. were lie found Mrs. T. and the ser.
wants very busily engaged in preparing din
ner. Supposing him some old man seeking
employment, Mrs. Il. was free in calling
into question his services in her work o
preparing dinnor, and he was equally willing
and ready to render all assistance possible
"Old man." said she "suppose you take The
bucket, go to the hydrant, and draw US somt
water" He at once readily complied will
the request sold man." again she said
"suppose you assist US little in preparin!
dinner, as we have dinner party to-day, an,
are very hurried indeed. Just peel few
potatoes if you Please No sooner was th'
request made than the sold man" got to worl
peeling potatoes with right good will.
After all things were sufficiently advan
ccd to release Mrs. T. from further super
vision, she went into her chamber to arruug
her toilet to receive her husbands guests
At the proper hour her husband came, in, an
then, one by one, came those who were t
dine with him on that day. In due time a
arrived but oae--Mr. G.. Mr.. Tophan the
began to express his surprise at The absenc
of the Virginia representative, as he though
, he would certainly have been one of the fir.
/, if not the first to make his appearance,
. knowing that his dinner at home was a
early one.
When about coming to the conclusion TIL
:, the Virginia NJ. C. would fail TO make
y appearance, Mrs. T's memory, which.seem
:. to have proved rather treacherous, becan
:. effulgent, and she acquainted her husba
= with the tact that there was an sold man"
- the kitchen VIII, had been waiting to S
him for the last three or four hours
:, MT. Immediately repaired to the kitch
~ to ascertain the "old mans" wants, when
and behold! who should he find but our NJ.
himself! iAstonshed beyond measure, a
with confused utterance, he exclaimed, 'Wf
how came you here!" He simply reptile
: IL was invited to the kitchen by your wi
;, and as came much before your dinner hot
- | have been making myself useful"
- DIr. t. at once invited and ac-ompani
~ him into the parlor, and introduced him
=" his wife and guests as the "Hon. ROBE
! Rutherford, of Virginia"
= The lady's feelings can be better imagin
:. by tie reader than described by the write
- but the balance of the day passed off plei
>, - antly, saving the lady's abashment RESULT
" from not recognizing the "Virginia Memt
:. of Congress"