The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-12-26
TWICE MISTAKEN.

Christmas eve HalEpast nine. Crumms
comes into my room to clear away tea.
81 suppose, sir" he said. as though not
admitting of a Doubt suppose you
don't dine home tomorrow -
Both the tone and remark are unfortu-
nate. | have not an invitation to dine out,
and can not insist upon dining ut home
as my arrangement with the Crummses pro-
vides for dinner on Sundays only. l had
intended to put my difficulty to my land
lady, who is good natured and easily per-
suaded. | find, instead, have her hus-
band to deal with; SO close my book slowly
and not quite certain.
Mrs. Crumms would have waited to hear
what | had to say; not SO her husband.
He looks surprised at my hesitation, and
quickly puts in a clincher.
"Most gentlemen dine out on Christmas
day." he says, staring at the wall some
feet above my head; land 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 l
shall dine out, Crumms."
every WELL sir" he replies, in a tone as
if he had never raised the question, but
was simply taking an order in his old ca
pacity of hotel waiter. "Any thing else,
sir? Good night, sir
Then Crumms goes down stairs triumph
ant, and l aoubly regret having stayed in
town instead of going home, since | shall
have to get my solitary Christmas dinner
at London hotel.
Christmas Day. Mrs. Crumms this time
brings in my breakfast. She has large
apron pinned over the front of her dress,
and her sleeves are tucked up, which means
with her, cooking. AS she sets up the
things, she wishes me the compliments of
the season. "And I hope you'll enjoy
yourself, SIR she adds; @ for I'm sure you
want holiday, with your sitting here read
ing to all hours of the night"
She means it kindly, and not as a hint.
| pay for my own Goals and candles-for
the former particularly, they being sup
piled by the Crummses-so thank her for
her good wishes. l don't anticipate much
enjoyment; on the contrary, am at a loss
to know what to do with myself, and heart
lily wish the day was over.
one O'Clock. see through the window,
as | come back from church, that the
Crummses are at high dinner. Crumms
himself is in his shirt sleeves and on his
legs, and looks very much as if he were
" Bravo pa - and great deal of laugh
ter, both of which subside very rapidly as
knock. One of the smallest of the many
small Crummses comes to tho door, with
her little cheeks and chin bearing unmis-
taxable signs of pudding. She just peeps
out to see who it is, and then scampers
away, as if afraid of loosing some of the
good things in the parlor. For this want
of respect to the ledger heard her mamma
rebuke her sternly, and then Crumms says,
Never mind, mother, nobody is naughty
on Christmay day." Rounds of applause.
go upstairs, and spa" proceeds with his
speech.
T,oo o'clock. ring the bell for some hot
water, and Crumms answers it in full wait
ers's dress, white ties, dress coat, and a
low cut waistcoat showing large amount
of shirt front with elaborate frill. lie walks
! into the room as if he is very proud of him
| self, and is more waiter-like in his manner
than usual.
"Hot water to wash with, sir ?'
eff you please, Crumms."
eyes, SIR"
Disappears and reappears with the jug,
which he sets down on the table.
"Why, Crumms." l ask, "where are
you goins?"
"Out waiting, SIR" He pauses for a
minute, then becomes less majestic and
more confidential. 81 always 90 out wait
ing on Christmas day." he adds, "and
have been in the same house for the las
fourteen years. The gentleman and lad.
are couple as came to the Crown at New
ford the year | married Mrs. Crumms
We were both at the hotel and were jus
leaving to come up here. The lady took {
great liking to Mrs. CIumms, and one da!
she said to me, $50 you and your wife arr
going up to London, Crumms? Now yor
must come and wait at my house when WI
want help. And have been there ever.
Christmas day since-not missed one.
60 on other days he says this quickly il
an off-handed manner, as if the other day
were of no Importance" but they ain
regular ~ ,,
pose?"
"Well, l do most of the waiting; all Q
it, you may say" he replies. "They don
keep a man, and there are only the femal
servants. They amt much good not Xix
Mrs. Crumms. She could wait, she could
She was wonderful handy. That's wha
first made me look at her
"And where do You go'" inquired.
"Bedford Square, Domville is the ger
tleman's name"
On the spur of the moment, just to Sc
what Crumms will say, I ask, "Will yo
take me with you to day."
"You, sir" he replies in surprise
Well-really, sir, don't think Mr.. DON
vile would-though l have known hir
these fourteen years, I'm afraid he'll thin
it rather presumptuous of me to introduc
gentleman into his house w
:" suppose So, answer; the idea Of
waiter Introducing friend as guest q