Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-08-09

the DILL OF fAre, then pick II over, and leave
it in mess. l don't see how they could do
it felt most IS bad ter see it a. should
if it had ben in my own house
One day q woman came in and sot down
to our table. She was all decksd out in
silks and diamonds, and had bokay on her
stummuck as big as a wash-dish. Lucy
Jane said she was transient" but l called
her pig, after see how she performed
We had lobster salad on the table that day
for kind Of side -dish-there want great
lot ont, We know-it was jist for relish.
like pickles or preserves. There vas one
dish to each end O. the table. Wall, what
did that creeter due but put her arm round
the one al her end and dip into it as if she
owned IT. ! sot way to the other end O. the
table, and when l see that performance
says to the lady beside me:
Less learn her a lesson, or shame her, if
there's any shame tew her! :" says l.
agreed" says she.
SO We took the other dish O. salad-all
there was on the table, mind ye-and passed
II along to her.
When the woman see what was comm
che looked kinder puzzled for minute, and
then what did she do but smile as pleased as
could be. and thank US, and bow her head till
her diamonds fairly dazzled our eyes ; and
says she;
"l'm sure you're real kind; I'm dretful
fond o lobster salad ~ and upon that she
fell tew and finished the job in no time .
We was tew disgusted to smile; but there
want no drawbacks to her enjoyment. She
ruther had the best of US. hadn't she
One day the waiter sot a stranger down
side o me. He was a good -natured, re-
spectacle ookin' old man-that was all |
minded about at first but when he took up
the bill o fare, he turned to me in confd-
in way and says he:
IL can't see ter read this ere-I wish you d
jeat read over the meat list to me-
SO begun to read it 10 him, low "Roas,
beef. roast lamb" and so on.
Wont you speak a little louder ?" says
the man. "rm rather hard o hearn'"
So went over i, agn. so loud that all the
folks to the table looked up to see what
Was dom. felt cheap enough, but wha,
could dew ? ! couldn't refuse ter help q
feller man ter pick ou, his dinner
He finally stopped me and said he'd have
roast beef. II don't know much about them
furrin names, filet o beef and Ia mode,
and so on; plain roast beef is safer for me,
| guess" says he smilin' good-nstered.
SO when the waiter come round he told
him he'd have roast beef
ANY vegetables ?" says the waiter.
The man handed the bill o. fare ter me
agin with that same confdin' smile
Read" says he.
So read up loud's could: squash, to-
marters, green corn"
b.. Il u -
| bit my tongue, and Jake split his Tea and
burnt his hand.
What is ?" says !. thinkin' the man
had gone crazy. or lost what sense he had.
"Nothin," SAYS he "only I'll have corn
haint had none this year. by George. all
dried up to home. I'll have corn and tur
nip; that'll do"
Wall, the waiter brought his dinner. and
| begun ter hope my services wouldn't be
needed no more, when all to once he turned
to me kinder perplexed like, and SAYS he:
81 wish you'd be good enough ter taste
o my perta,er," says he; at tastes kinder
queer
didn't dare ter refuse, for fear he'd make
talk about ii and should be made still more
conspicuous, so tasted ont
"Lordy massy," says |. that's yer turnip,
where's yer pertater'"
What ~ saws he.
"Turnip." saysI.
He nodded his head and laughed
81 thought so, said he, 'but didn't feel
quite sure. S'pose like enough real perta-
ter is scarce here, hey' think can gi, some
Oh. wall. all right"
lspoke ter the waiter, and he brought him
some. Thinks | ter myself, mister, YOU
haln't got seven senses enough about We ter
travel alone you orter take along boy to
tend ter ye. I've tended ter We about as long
as wanter." And begun to eat my din
ner in alrnest.
Jake was tckled almost ter death, and
he'd ben nudgin' me all the time under the
some was laughin', but | didn't feel as if |
hac done ANYTHING more'n my duty. and
was as cool and dignified as you please.
When We got through dinner we went
away, and left the man I'd had the care on,
still eatin
Lucy Jane and we went into the parlur
ter wait for Jake-he always has to 20 into
the office to git a cigar, or see a man, or
transack some kind o bizness or other-wall,
while We was a settin' there talkin' and
laughln' about the man | had the care on, as
you might say. who should come right in
but the man himself, and says he with that
very same confdin' smile O. hisn:
"Young woman, don't know who YOU be ;
but you have kind heart, and brave one
Do you think didn't See how embarrassed
you was to the table? Lord bless We. can
see some things without my spectacles, if |
can't see ter read. And now" says he, 81
want ter give ye this ter remember me By,
and to remind ye Of your goodness to
stranger"
And if he did not haul this little ring out
of his pocket, and present it to me on the
spot
II couldn't think O. takin' anything, mis-
ter; you're welcome. I'm sure" said |,
shamed enough to think how out O. patience
l got with him.
''Tut, tut" said the man, "Im older'n you
be- play I'm your uncle now, and take it
come"
| see how he felt about il, and SO finally
accepted ont with the tears in my eyes.
The next day when the ladies plagued me
about "the man ] had the care on" ! sho'd
'em the ring, and they agreed | was well
paid and Jake says it's worth twenty y-fiye
dollars if it's worth a cent.