Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-09-29
COIDsWATERDI DINNER.
now BARON voNpeRxAMpF WAS
otNeo ON MURRAY HILL. a.
yAs neasen- nrpwn FAMILY Were Temper
saee Peopie--The rsiac,plss Ezpiained
ny Zach Member Differently.


young man. with an air Of distinction and
abundant funds. with what the girls called
a"love OK moustache," O decoration at
tcsting his bravery on the field. and with
On oxhaustless fund of entertaining small
talk born Of innumcrablc firtations and
similar experiences in Berlin and Paris. hc
Wis soon in demand ~ very desirable
adjunct to tho social functions of .
very lively season.
At most Of the clubs he became IA
milisr figure. He found his invitation
list extending aerceably ard felt that
American society was hoporlng him. tie
had dined oil over uptown and still there
were rlany invitations ahead. from each
Of which lac anticipated a pleasant expe,
iience.
Next on his list was the dinner at Mrs,
Benson Browns, a quiet, informal affair,
os the note indicated. He was looking II
over when his valet handed him the card
Of his friend. Major Brlcc, who had called
70 see him at his hotel. A moment later
The Major entered the room.
Opera this evening, Baron!' asked the
Major.
kampt, handing him note.
"Ah, um. the Benson Browns Say,
Boron, that's q temperance house. YOU
know. Old Benson Browns regular
ERA: :essna |. and won't allow wine at his
All! he drinks beer?"
They drink nothing. You'll have to
stsnd that dinner On iced-water. Marx
NJ must CO." said poor Vonderkampf,
rcgretfully. He ~ man Of conse,,
QuepOo, 1t would hurt his fcehnssif did
go, BY all means, =" laughed bis friend !;
"Oniy LET me advise you 10 take cQcKtaii
ct our club before yon start; your neeu
It, con pick you up later, Tor the last ACT
Of 'Somnamb ula.' you know
30 II was settled. That evening the
Baron, fortified with brace OF cocktails,
was dropped 10y has diver at the door OF
tire Benson.Brown mansion. hyeried
footu,an took possession of him In the
hall. He noticed that the servants and all
the appointments were III the most eIaoo-
rate English style. and that the reception
room into which he was ushered was up-
bSlstered precisely like some OF those he
had seen in the British capital. There was
painfully London air about the esta O-
llshinent. Presently a ford. ruddy-
faced. pompous. elderly gentleman came
IN and greeted him efiuSively.
i'.Ah, baron delighted, I'm sure: MIS-.
Brown and the girls Will be honored. ms
le son heglDittl-DutOD
Our little dinner Is To be quite iniorinai-a
family affair. assure you.
Dinner was served IN "a handsome room
and upon I'm elegantly appointed table.
Mrs. Benson Brown and her daughters,
Laura and Moilie. were cordialty itself.
Even Reginald. rather foppish young fell
Low, exertcd himself for the sake OF their
distinguished guest.
HOW MB. EENsoN-BRowN DID IT.
"Ah. er-Baron," observed Mr.. Benson
brown, AS he unfolded his napkin and laid
IL carefully across his knee. in your
country II ia. know. the custom TO drink
wine with meals. and indeed many families
do IL here, too. But | ought 10 mention,
since you are our guest, that we have q
rule In our household which makes l, I'M
possible for Us to follow tins custom,
although" with de.erential wave OF The
hand, II have personally the greatest re-
epect for those who do follow it. of course.
thrust you will overlook our little pccu-
liarity. Baron. in this respect"
with pleasure" said Nonderkampf. re-
Numbering the warning OF his friend
Brice and feeling cold chill run down
his back as the sombre-faced waiter filed
his goblet with ice-water. - care not 10
drink wine with friends only occasionally.
Not now" and to show his sincerity he
raised the ice water aud took u sip tina;
sent tremor to his toes.
The dinner was wretcbed affair TO ' on.
derknmpf. He was thankful when coffee
wasserved and degree of animation Wa,
impaired to the conversation which heC
been more or less frigid in spite of the des
perate efforts of Mrs. Benson-Brown anC
her handsome daughters. Music was sug.
gcsted, and the host, seizing the momen
tary opportunity. whispered TO Wonder
kampf:
Baron-er--are you interested in ar.
Yesi Glad TO hear 1t. have some beau
tiful views up IN nv room, which would
take pleasure in showing you II You care to
come up with me while the girls are get
ting out their music
Certainly" SAID his guest, glad of O
new diversion.
As they were mounting the stairs the
merchant turned back and whispered. un.
der cover Of his hand;
II haven't any views. Baron. but didn''
want Mrs. Brown and the girls to know
what We were gong up for. All" be OK
claimed. as they reached room the door
O; which he opened and held, while the
other entered.
NOW, here We are: come in, Baron
Now. my dear sir. know you must thinI
We are barbarians here. wouldn't for thu
world have my wife and the girls know
this" he added, slipping the lock of th'
door and approaching cabinet, which h'
opened, Int the truth is, Baron, keel
here q littlc-just alittle liquor for private
ue;p. And he disclosed . rowof bottle
fine old brandy-<en sears old. What OF
you say t. q drink with me?"
tonderkampfs eyes opened wide. III
uurmured his thanks politely and &C
cepted the profytred glass, while Mr.. Ben
sori-Browh bclped himself TO a similar pOr
ton. The latter smacked his lips and re
filled his glass. Offering at the same tim,
to replenish that Of has guest
30 No more. Ell: Well. never mind ~
glasses he lockeu the cabinet and the ivy,
'dvsccudcd to the paTlors. where MolliC
WAS singing 10 the Accompaniment of hel
sisters, playing. The girl had q beautiful
vmce. and IondeTka compnmented il
~ the great delight of Mrs. Benson-Brown
- 80. MoTnEHLy PITY AND CORDIAL.
Baron" said the lady, when the girls
had begun duet. " have yuu ever seer
through an American house: No! May
! hAve the pleasure OF showing you how
the rooms are laid out:
4 Again vonderkalnpf expressed has de
light al the cordiality Of his hosts, as h,
-Atsko 20 follow the lady. slI "a
She led HIM up 10 tho second light and
passed along y halt .f ,-t.,,
.f'uAlnns open I a door he was rshered
GluAo u mkep,.ioeptiyf furnished APARTMENT
This is my bCudoir. Baron" said the
-hdss = You viii pardon me, know, whoI
! confess that ] Irtied you all through
Tho dinner. know.ng That you are accuS
toned to having WINE at table felt tha,
we,would be worse than barbarous 70 per
NIT yUu TO dine on rec water. But you
IkEow my dsW Baron, that no mus, sacri
fee something for the sake OF example
-GNo~, Ia re.' ssshe approached daint,
elanellei secretary, IL where i keep
White cordial for personal use. Baron. il
,ysu' will do lne tLs honor to ill thi,
glass"-----
- ryvith pleasure.r quickly Responded
yonrerkamp:, aud suiting the action t,
the word he poured our u modest portion
q II Is tho best in the market" saic
Mr.. Beason-Brown IN confdenVai tone
ii. You see, I'm AFRAID of hea,t. disease, anc
this Is sure preventive OF such az
e'tAcks"i ~ ID % it.f.-f.n4,i .. .f fa s.f...
IL Aud the, considerate hostess helped her
self to an equally moderate portion. after
which the glasses wers replaced and the
q, essritpire locked.
The niusic was still in progress when he
.iseganrssehsd the partor below, lie found
n2 dineuity IN expressing 20 Mrs. Ben
son. bfowAi his extreme grasifcation at
bang lprivlle:ed 10, look over The rooms.
Xoung Nr. Reginald seemed bored
sans''t,h. saS. ksron.' 10 whispered. pull.