Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-01-16
Useful Old Man

| During the session OF 1901 weallhy mrr'
chant-in conformity with the custom of the
limes-gave dinner party to few gentlemen
among who was member of Congress of that
period. On the appointed day, however. the
lady of the house was somewhat annoyed, at al
early hour, by the intrusion Of an old man at the
door. Having been met by servant. ne inquired
if the proprietor of the house e-whom We call Mr..
Topham-was at home. Upon receiving a mega
tive reply, and being furthermore informed that
he would not be at home for three or four hours,
the old mau said. "Well. then. being as am
here, may as well remain until he cones."-
"Please wait mcment," said the servant; al
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 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. swell" 7"
replied Mrs. T., .'if you will stay just walk thro'
the alley, and go hack to the kitchen and take
SEAL" Nothing daunteG. The old man obeyed
orders, and passed through the alley TO the kitchen
where he found Mrs. II. and the servant very
bnsy engaged in preparing dinner. Surprising
him some old man seeking employment. Mrs. t.
was free 10 calling into requesiion his services in
her work of preparing dinner, and he was equally
willing and ready & render all as is sance psslbls.
."Old man." said she, ''suppose you take the
bucket. 60 to the hydrant, and draw US some
waer." He at once and readily complied with
The request. "Old man." again said she, "sup-
pose you assist me little in preparing dinner, as
we give dinner party to-day. and we are much
hurried indeed. Just peel few potatOes, If you
please" No sooner the request made than the
"old man" got to work peeling potatoes with
right goodwill. After all things were sufficiently
advanced TO release Mr.. T. from further super
vision, she went into her chamber TO arrange her
toilet to receive her husbands guests. At the
proper time her husband came in. and then one
by one came those who were to dine with them
on that day. la due time all arrived but one
the NJ. C. Mr.. Topham then began to express |
his surprise at the absence of Virginia repre-
sentative, as he thought he would certainly have
been one of the first, if not the first, to make his
appearance, knowing that his dinner hour al
home was an early one. When abnut coming to
the conclusion that the Virginia Nj. C. would
fail to make his appearance, Mrs. T.'s memory.
which seemed to have proved rather treacherous,
became effllgent, ard she acquainted her husband
with the fact that there was an old man in the,
kitchen who had been waiting 10 see him fur the
last three or four hours. Mr.. L. Immediately re-
paired to the kitchen to ascertain the ''old mans"
wants, when 10! and behold who should he find
out our NJ. G. himself! Astunished beyond mea
sure, and with confused ulerance, he exclaimed,
%. Why, how came you here ?" He simply re
plied. Il was invited to the kitchen by your iie,
md as came much before your dinner hour, |
rave been making myself useful" MIR. II. at
,nce invited and accom- panied him into the parlor,
md introduced him 10 his wife and guests as the
Hon. Rohert Rutherford, of Virginia" Ths
ady's feelings can be better imagined by the
eader than described by the writer; but The bal
luce of the day passed of pleasantly, saving the
ady's abashment resulting from act recognizing
he Virginia member Of Congress"