The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-14
A WAITRESS FOR A DAY.
ROMANCE OF A $50 BILL THAT
HANGS IN A BEAUTY'S ROOM.

In the pyvtty morning room of certain
young woman in this city there hangs on
the wall $50 bill, framed first by wide
gray mat and edged with a narrow rim Of
scarlet plush picked out in gold Thereby
hangs tale One Of tse Easter weddings
was that of the young woman's sister.
She married civil engineer. who, straight
way after the manner Of civil engineers,
rushed of TO Arizona to survey copper
mine about TO be or already opened in that
distant territory. His bride accompanied
him, and the sister was induced TO go also
for purposes, as she put IT, Of travel, ex-
ploration and adventure"
Things were not altogether bad out
among the Indians; the mine was on the
line of a railroad; they had carried with
them a good many home belongings;
house was secured, such as it was, and
more or less proper establishment set up
The summer and the sisters stay were
nearly at an end, when one afternoon Mr..
Tom, the husband and brother-in-law,
sent word from the works that the English
member Of the firm which was developing
the mine had arrived suddenly for few
hours stay and be would bring him up 10
dinner. This announcement created some
CONSERVATION.
The cook was a half breed who was ex-
cellent within his limits. but he knew
nothing even OF the rudiments of but
lering As a matter of fact the fam
lily were accustomed to dine Ell buffet
This, freely translated, meant frequent
trips on the part of one diner or an-
other to the chest at the side Of the room,
which by courtesy was called a sidebosrd.
"But an Englishman, you know, Nell,
said Mrs. Tom plaintively, expects NJ
dinner to be served if he takes that meal in
an Indian jungle With our canned soups
and lobster, and the superb joint which
Nelson can get up, we can offer a most pre-
sentsble menu, but what shall we do for
some one to change the plates,"
MAID FOR AN HOUR
Miss Nell Immediately begged to take the
role for a single appearance. 1T will be
no end Of fun" she argued, land warrant
neither you nor Tom nor the Englishman
has ever been served as | shall serve you
tonight. I've always contended it took a
high degree Of intelligence to create a per-
feet butter or butleress," she added with a
laugh, land I'd immensely like TO show
what culture can do with dinner tray"
In the end, though with many misgiv
ings on Mrs Toms part, the plan was ar
ranged A note was dispatched TO Mr..
Tom warning him not TO mention his
sister-in-law in any way-that all would
be explained later It was a few moments
after their guest had been welcomed that
a capped and aproned figure appeared in
the doorway announcing quietly, Dinner
is served" Whatever Mr. Tom may have
thought or felt he could not express
could do nothing indeed but follow his
wife as the Englishman handed her out.
Everything went beautifully in the dining
room. From soup to cheese the serving
was irreproachable. The guest, a genial,
companionable man of perhaps so, was
visibly affected by the skill and general ell
egance of the waitress, and Mrs. Tom
caught several several searching glances
thrown upon her maid
Nothing was said, however, till the close
of the dinner, when, the coffee having been
placed upon the table, the deft and demure
handmaiden withdrew. Then the English
man voiced his surprise that Mrs. Tom
could keep in this out of the way place
such a thoroughly trained and capable
maid, whereupon Mrs. Tom. knowing that
utT SiSNtI CVulu ItAlIt no IuALnt IMAM Nuf
screen in the corner of the room which
concealed an emergency buffers pantry,
evolved for her benefit delightful little
history.
"Yes," she began slowly. slipping her
coffee, ELLEN is quite a superior young
person. As you have noticed she is intelii-
gent and refined much beyond her station,
really very well educated, too. And she is
the heroine Of a very pretty little TO
nance"
ROMANCE AND RETRTBUTIoN.
At this juncture slight rafting Of glass
ware behind the screen warned Mrs. Tom
that her story WAS taking effect, and with
CLEAN of mischief, at which her husband
could have groaned aloud. she proceeded:
''She is engaged to be married TO very
estimable young man in New York, the
wedding day was set over year ago, when
six weeks before the date arrived the com
ing groom was stricken blind in an hour.
He has been under treatment ever since,
slowly regaining his sight, and she, poor
girl, is saving every penny Of her wages
against the time when he must leave the
hospital. l think she means 70 marry him
as soon as possible and support him until
he can get work again. II is quite pathetic
and interesting-her devotion"
But Mr.. Tom could stand the strain no
longer, and proposed return to the par
lor The Englishman. however, did not
drop the subject at once. asking a number
of questions about Ellen and her "com-
pany" He left, as was expected soon az
ter dinner, and Miss Nell was free % pour
the vials Of her wrath upon her wicked
sisters head, an occupation in which she
was ably seconded by Mr.. Tom when he re-
turned from putting their recent guest
aboard his train.
The end. however, was not yet. Within
q fortnight Mrs. Tom received note from
the Englishman. dated at New York, in
which he said that he had been much i'm
pressed with the loyalty and devotion Of
her maid, Ellen, who was undou btedly
most worthy young person, and he went
on 70 beg Mrs Tom 70 find some way 20
bestow the inclosed-a $50 bill-upon her
% aid in her courageous and praiseworthy
effort
Thus retribution came 70 Mrs Tom.
She was overcome at what Ehe had done,
aud there was no comfortable way out q
it II was impossible 20 explain 70 the
Engiishmau how be had been deceived.
Nor could the bill be plausibly returned Oh
The part Of Ellen. There seemed nothing
to do but 70 keep it and thank the donor,
which Mrs Tom accomplished, II must b.
confessed. with much less than her usual
grace. The bill hangs on the wall o. Il
lens room today-a dO1ble warning
against theatriczls in private life, and
the utterancs Of pretty romanoes which
have 10 foundation IN fact.-Her Point q
View IN New York Times
The Richest CIerEynen-
The Rev. DIR. Charles f. Holman and
bis brother. the Rev. DR.. Z. A Hoffman.
dean Of The General THEOLOGICAL seEEiEzry.