Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-05-24

MAEiSG HIMSELF UsEFuL.-Durng tho
session of 1907, wealthy merchant-iu
conformity with the custom Of the times
gave dinner party to few gentlemen,
among " HON was a member of Congress OF
that period. On the appointed day, kowev-
er, the lady ofthe house was somewhat en-.
noyod tt, an early hour by the infusion of an
old man at the door. Having been Uet by
servant, he inquired il the proprietor OF the
housc-whom we will cell Mr.. Topham--
was OF home. Upon receiving a negative re-
piv, and being Furthermore Informed that he
would rot be at home for some three or four
hours, tie cid man said: Well, being as IN
here, may as well remain until he comes"
Please wal, moment" said the servant" II
will call Mrs. Topham to the door, and see
What she will say" The servant then ran
and called the merchants wife, who made
her apr earsncc. The old man then repeated
What he had said 10 the servsDt--,hat being
as he wns there he might as we'll remain un.
Ill her Husband came. "Nell, replied Mrs.
r. "If you will stay, ju.t walk through the
alley and ~ back hy the kitchen and take a
scat"
Nothing dauntcd, The o'd man obcyed Or
ders, and passed through the alley to the
Kitchen, where he found Mrs. 7. and the
servants very busily engaged in preparing
dinner. Supposng him some old man seek
ing mployment. Mrs. I. was free in calling
into re quisitUn his services in her work Of
preparing dinner and lie was equally willing
and ready 10 render all assis stance possible
"Oid man." sad she suppose you take the
,t I,-,r L.,
water He at once readily complied with
the request. "Od man." again she said,
suppose you assist US little in preparing
dinner, as we have dinner party to day, and
are very hurried indeed. Just peel few po-
tatocs if you p.ensr.' No :ooner was the re-
! quest made Than the sod man. got to work
pecling potatoes with right good will.
After all things were sufficiently advanced
70 release Mrs. T. from further supervision,
she went into her chamber 10 arrange her
toile, 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 that day. In due time all
arrived but oue-Mr R. Mr.. Topham then
began to express his surprise at the abseLce
OF the Virginia representative, as he thought
he would certainly have been one Of the
first, If not the hrs:, to nuke his appearance,
knowing that his dinner at hons. was an ear
ly one.
When about coming to the conclusion
that the Virginia II. c. would fail to make
his appearance, Mrs. T.'s memory, which
seemed to have proved rather treacherous,
became eiIulgent, 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 fours.
M,. I. Immediately re2Ered to the kitch-
en- 10 asc rtain the 'o.d mans" wants, when
10 and behold! who should he find but our NJ
{. hiuset! As'oLi:hed Leyond measure,
and with con,u.ed ut, rance, he exclaimed. I.
why. w came you here!' He simply re-
Piled, / was invited to the kitchen by your.
vile, and as came much before your dinner
hour, have been making myself useful" &
Mr. 7. at once invited and accompanied
him into the paror, and introduced him 10
his wife ard guests as the Hon. Robert
Rutherford, OF Virginia.
The lady's feelings c m be better imagined
by the reader than described by The writer;
but tie balance Of the day passed off pleas
an,ly saving the lady's abashment resulting
from not recognizing the Virginia Member
of Congress-"