Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-03-29
TWICE MISTAKEN.
s Leaf From a Bachelors Diary.

Christmas eve. Half past nine. Crumms
comes into my room to clear away tea.
Il suppose sir, he says, as though it
we're subject not admitting of doubt.
Il suppose you don't dine home to-
morrow"
Both the tone and the remark are IN
fortunate have not an invitation to dine
ont, and | cannot insist upon dining at
home, hs my arrangement with the
Crummses provides for dinner on Sundays
only. l had intended to put my difficulty
to my landlady, who is good natured and
easily persuaded. | find, instead, | have
her husband to deal with. so | close my
book slowly and say, We'll, as if l were
thinking and not quite certain.
Most gentlemen dine out on Christmas
day. he says. staring at the wall some feet
above my head ''and Mrs Crumms always
expects holiday on that day
| feel, after that statement, the only thing
to be done is to surrender gracefully.
'Of course; quite right. Oh yes! |
shall dine out, Crunms."
/ ring the bell for some not water and
Crumms answers it in full walters dress,
white tie, dress coat and low-cdt wsist
coat, showing large amount of shirt front
with an elaborate frill. He walks Into the
room as if he is very proud Of himself, and
Is more waiter ike in his manner than
usual.
WHY, C:umms, I ask, "Wksre are you
going?'
Out waiting. sir lie pauses for a
minute, then becomes less majestic and
more Confidential. Il always go out wait
ing on Christmas day he adds, ''and
have been to the same house for the last
fourteen years. The gentleman and lady
are a couple as came TO Crown at Newford
the year | married Mrs. Crumms. We
were both at the hotel, you know, and were
just leaving to come up here. The lady
took great liking 10 h1rs. Crumms, and
one day she said to me, 80 you and your
wife are going up to London, Crumms. Now
you must come and wait at my house when
We want help" And have been there ev-
cry Christmas day since then, not missed one.
20 on other days, he says this quickiy,in
an off hand manner, rs if the other days
were of no importance but they ain t
regular.
You go there and help wait, sup
pose?"
Well do most of the waiting all of
IT. you may say" he says. They don't
keep man, and there are only the female
servants. They amt much good, not like
Mrs. Crumms. She could wait, she could.
She was wonderful handy. That's what
first made me look at her =,
And where do you go to?' inquire.
Bedford Square. Domyile is the gen
teman'S name.
On the spur Of the moment, just TO see
What Crumms will say, l ask, VIII you
taSe me with you today?'
You, sir!" he replies, in surprise,
Well really, sir, | don't think Mr. Dom
vile would-though l have known him
these fourteen years, I'm afraid he d think
It trather presumptous of me to introduce a
gentleman into his house! -
II suppose so," I answer; the idea of
the waiter introducing friend as guest at
dinner being very absurd. But didn't
mean that Take me with you to wait"
You yo1 go waiting?" said be, holding
his breath.
Yes if you'll take me,
Well, do call that good joke" he
Easped out. Lord, sir, what an ideal
Then dropping his waiter. like manner alto
gether and becoming thoroughly human,
ne burst out laughing.
had only intended to chaff Crumms, but
II strikes me that going out with him will
be more lively than spending Christmas Gay
o myself, anu | begin to hope that he will
take me-
l dare say Mr.. Domville would have no
oojectlon to an extra hand | urge, ''aud |
could 60 as young friend of yours, who is