Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-03-29

don't know what to do with myself all day.
[ should like to go out waiting"
But you will be careful, sir, won you ?"
says Crumms, yielding. You won't let
Mr. Domville know. There isn't any one
likely to be there as will recognize you,
hope"
Three o'clock.-Crumms and are in the
cab on our way TO Bedford Square The
whole time he is either laughing at my 60
ing out with him or nervous as to the re-
suit. ln the latter mood he is almost pite-
Gus in his eutreaties to me to be careful, and
repeats over and over again his directions
how to wait. We stop the CAP at the cor
ner of the street leading to the square, and
walk on to the house.
1t is big house with large hall. There
are three servants going about with trays
and piles of plates, busy laying out the ta-
Bile. They stare at nae as | stand by the
side of Crumms. and he introduces ME as
young friend who wants to see little gen,
teel waiting, and whom he has made bold
enough to bring Then, as if that settled
asks several questions as to the number and
names of the guests. | notice that the ser
wants all treat him with great respect, and
he, in return. is condescending and polite to
them. With me, hen they are in the
room, he assumes an authoritative air, and
all the time he is very grave, and looks as
if the cares of his position were too much
for him. He smiles once, when We are
alone, as | hand him jelly; and then, his
muscles being relaxed. hsi old fit of laugh
ing suddenly broke out again. He cannot
laugh loud, but laughs inwardly, and shakes
so tremendously that the Jelly rolls and
trembes to an alarming degree; and it is
only by the means of taking it promptly un-
der my own protection, that save it from
being shaken on the floor.
20 Lor' to think of you being here.
he mutters; and the next instant is gravity
itself. as Mrs. Domville's voice is heard on
the stairs.
She is middle aged lady, and speaks in
a friendly manner 10 Crumms, and is par
ticular 10 her inquiries after his wife and
children. He points me out as a young
friend Of his, who has come to help him
and Mrs. Domvile seems quite satisfied,
and goes up stairs again to the drawing
room.
FoUr o'cIoch The dinner is ready and
all the guests have arrived. Crumms sta
tons me behind the door, and goes himself
TO the head of the table, and | watch the
people as they come into the room and take
their places.
They are mostly middle-aged like their
hos. and hostess, and evidently old friends;
for several rcd TO Crumms. and one gentle
man is quite hearty in his. greeting, and
says it would not seem like a Christmas
dinner without him. Mr. Domyille laughs
and asks after Mrs. Crumms; but Crumms
refuses to be thawed, and replies in tone
ss if such trifing questions interfered with
the responsibility.
So far everything has gone right. Then
comes slight mishap. Just as everybody
is seated and silent, and Mr. DomviIle is
going to say grdce, Crumms gives me sig
nal, L step forward quietly to close the
door. The movement attracts the attention
of a young lady, who is sitting With her
back to me, and shruturns round She evi-
dently has not noticed me before, and her
laughing gray eyes scan me with surprise
My face is new one among the many well,
known faces round the table. Lsuppose
she thinks l am guest who has arrived
late and just come into the room. and, see
ing me standing there and no one taking
any notice of me, she says, very cuur-
teously:
Isn't there a chair for you?" Then
turning to Mrs Domville, 80, aunt here
is gentleman left outside in the cold
Mr. Domville, instead of saying grace,
looks up, stares, and half rises from his
chair, while the company all turn toward
me. 1t is certainly an embarrassing mo-
ment :. but Mrs. Domville comes to the res
cue and says quietly, ut is quite right,
Helen" The young lady looks little con-
fused, and Crumms spoils everything by
rushing up to her and calling out
He's come to help me wait, Miss Lin
ton.
My fair champion thereupon blushes very
deeply, and begs my pardon several of the
guests have simultaneous twitchings of the
mouth Crumms looks half angry, half
apoogetitally, at me and at last Mr.. Dom
vile, in a husky voice, says grace while
Miss Linton bends her head very low and
hides her face. The next minute Crumms,
serious and imperturbable as ever, removes
the cover off the soup, and dinner begins.
l believe | acquitted myself creditsbly.
Crumms declared that | did wonderfully
well. and is inclined 20 think, believe, that
l have wasted natural talent by not being
waiter. At any rate, | don't spill anything
over any5ody's dress, or knock anybody on
the head. | carefully watch Crumms for
his signals, and, thanks to having been to
dinner before, though not in the capacity of
a waiter, | have some idea of what ought
to be done, and so remove the right covers,
and hand round such dishes as ought to be
handed at the proper time. The difficulty
L have Is TO keep my countenance, particu-
l..