Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-05-17
AFTER MANY YEARS.
Pathetic Scene in q Metropolitan Res
taurAnt That Recalls War Days.

Pathetic Scene IN q Metropolitan Res
taurant That Recalls War Days.
l saw a curious bit in the drama of
life the other day, and it seemed to
stand out the more effectively for hav-
ing. small as it was. a certain historical
background.
l was taking a moderate chop in a
Sixth avenu restaurant. The walters
we're negroes. and from the time | went
in l had looked at the head waiter with
interest He was an elderly man. with
the patient subdued, gentle courtesy
that told a story Of ''befo' de wah,"
and that affected the character Of the
very wrinkles in his ancient, well
brushed dress coat. He established.
or rather he showed his willingness 70
establish. relations Of an ideally init
mate character with the patrons OF the
place, utterly se~rvantlike, am yet pre-
pared TO note your tastes and cater 70
them with the devotion Of friendship
When ! was half through my meal
two young women with the air Of
ladies entered and sat down near me
| could not help o~verhearing their talk,
/ quiet as il was. and il soon appeared
that they belonged to the ever increas
ing army Of girl bachelors that have
taken the town. They we're students
at the Art league.
The old head waiter stood near by
then he came and changed the glass of
celery for "A fresher one. Then one Of
the young women asked him TO have a
certain window lowered at the top. He
sen some one TO do il, and then said
to one of the girls, r~earranging the table
a little nervously, in his soft, old voice,
Excuse me; but I've been hoping
you'd excuse me since the first night
you came in, If | asked you what paint
of the south DO you come fomf'
"MeP said the girl pleasantly. II
come from Tennessee. | suppose you
knew was southern by the way | talkr'
"Yes. IN; yes, IN" the old man said
hastily, taking the plates from the
waiter in charge and speaking with an
odd effect Of furry. My young mis-
tess she marry down in Tennessee. She
vas one OBJ de Kentucky Prentices."
He stopped abruptly and looked at the
girl, and she was staring at him. she
marry one OBJ de Tennessee Sinclairs."
he added.
"Why. that was my MOTHER
"She vas my young mist'ess," said
the old man.
The girl held out her hand to him.
why, my mother always loved her
old people so much, she said, the tears
springing to her eyes. ''She always
wanted TO know what became of all of
them after the wah, but she never
could learn much. Nowr-she stopped.
The whilom slave was trembling all
over.
please tell-please tell her that Ike,
Yellow Ike alluz"-
The girl was looking at him steadfast-
ly through a mist of tears. shes
deadl" she said.
The old nan leaned hard on a chair
a moment, and then the habits Of a
lifetime Of self control and Difference 10
other peoples comfort came 10 his aid;
he stilled the workings of his wrinkled
face and took a dish from the waiter
as he came up, although his hands still
shook a little.
I'm wait on these ladies, - he said,
and then gave some direction about an
other part of the lie caught the
proprietor's eye fixed rebukingly upon
him, but he stuck to that table; he
was going to wait on those ladies If il
cost him his place.
Things went on silently for some mo-
ments and then he said, as lac brought
a dish that lad not been ordered. sotto
voce, There's nothing here tit for you,
missy-is ye named for your mar The
girl nodded.
Il thought ! knowed you by the ia
vor, " be added, trying to smile his dog
like affection upon her, and then he
took himself of TO "A little distance and
stood waiting upon their call
/ was putting on my coat when /
heard the southern girl, who had been
very silent. say to her friend. Il suppose
he would rather never have seen me al
all really. than 10 see ne heah Ike