Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-06-23
Making Himself Useful.

MAKING uillScIf JSelui.
During the session of 1867. veal
thy merchant, in conformity with the Gus
tom Of the times, gave dinner party to a
few gentlemen, among whom was mem
Der of Congress of that period. On the
appointed day, however, the lady of the
house was somewhat annoyed at an early
hour by the intrusion of an old man at
the door. Having been met by a servant,
he inquired if the proprietor of the house
whom we will call Mr.. Topham-was
al home ! Upon receiving a negative re-
ply, and being furthermore informed that
he would not be at home for some three
or four hours, the old man said
"WelI, being as am here, | may as
well remain until he comes
please wait moment" said the SER
want, II will call Mrs. Topham 10 the
door, and see what she will say"
The servant then ran and called the
merchants wife, who made her appear
ance. The old man then repeated what
he had said to the servant-that being as
he was there he might as well remain IN
til her husband came.
"WeIl," replied Mrs. r., "if you will
stay, just walk through the alley and 60
to The kitchen and take u seat"
Nothing daUnled, the old man obeyed
orders, and passed through the alley to
the kitchen, where he found Mrs. L. and
the servant very busiy engaged in prepa-
ring dinner, Surprising him some old
man seeking employment, Mrs. I. was
free in calling into requisitlon his services
in her work Of preparing dinner, and he
was equally willing and ready to render
all assistance possible.
"Old man. said she, "suppose you
take the bucket, 90 to the dydrant, and
draw US some water"
lie at once and readily complied with
the request.
"Old man." again said she, "suppose
YOU assist us a little in preparing dinner,
as we havs dinner party to-day, and are
very much hurried indeed. Just peel a
few potatoes, if you please
No sooner was the request made than
the "old man" got TO work peeling pola-
toes with right good will.
After all things were sufficiently advan-
ced to release Mrs. Il. from further super
vision, she went into her chamber TO ar
range her toilet TO receive her husbands
guests. At the proper hour her husband
came in and then, one by one, came
those who were to dine with him on lha,
dav. In due time all arrived but one
NJ. G. Mr.. Topham then began to cx-
press his surprise at the absence of the
Virginia representative, as he thought he
would certainly have been one of the first,
if not the first, to make his appearance,
knowing that his dinner at home was an
early one.
When about coming 10 the conclusion
that the Virginia NJ G.. would fail to
make his appearance, Mrs. rs memory.
which proved rather treacherous, became
efluIgent, and she acquainted her husband
with the fact that there was an "old man"
in the kitchen who had been waiting TO
see him for the last three or four hours
Mr.. Il. Immediately repaired to the klch-
en- TO ascertain the sold mans" wants,
when 10 and behold who should he find
but our Nj. &. himself ASlonlshed be-
yond measure, and with confused utter
ance, he exclaimed, why, how came
you here %
He simply replied, II wasHnvited to the
kitchen by your vile, and as | came much
before your dinner hour, have been ma
king myself useful"
Mr.. Il. at once invited and accompan-
led him into the parlor, and introduced
him to his wife and guests as the "Hon.
Robert Rutherford, of Virginia"
The lady's feelings can be better imag-
ined by the reader than described by the
writer; but the balance Of the day passed
off pleasantly, saving the lady's abash-
ment resulting from not recognising the
Virginia Member of Congress"
WhV is chickens neck like the French /