The morning call., 1893-03-20
TALKED FOR FOUR.
How a Waiter Entertained
an Eater.
Restaurant Frequenters Witness a
Scene That Made Patience
Virtue.

The days work was over. The exasper-
atlng trials of business routine, the petty
annOyances OF the eight hours just past
were trying, it was true, but now for an
hour of rest.
As the tired business man reasoned thus
he drew forth an evening paper and glanced
over the headlines. Something of interest
caught his eye and he at once lost conscious
ness of his surroundings.
vivid impression of someone or some
thing peeriug over the paper az him and
in close approximity to his face attracted
his attention. He glanced up and looked
straight into the eyes Of his waiter.
That dignitary looked down and smiled.
Forgotten me had YOU" he said. We'll,
that's the way of the world But can
stand it, guess. Have 10, won't l? But
that's all right. Waat is it to he to-nighEY
Oranges. first" said the dgnifed man
severely.
"FlrstP Say. you don't mean that do
You? Back where come from they always
take fruit after dinner You would enjoy
it more then. 1t sort Of gives relish 10
the dinner. Tops it off, as 1t we're. But if
you insist-whY OF course, and he brought
the fruit reluctantly.
Things seem Frightening up considerable
outside. Guess we won't have any more
rain this season. What DO yeu thiuk"
The slim gentleman moved nervously. Il
have no idea about it," he said.
mo? Well, of course l didn't know sure
just said that for something to say. A good
waiter"-this very dentially-'always
has plenty of bright, interesting things 10
Indeed? ?"
"Yes. Because when-but I see You are
about ready for tine second order. Now,
come, what shall we have?"
Bring me some shsd," was the curt order.
The waiter was amused. Certainly not
shad," he said. "Shad, you know, are
nothing but bones. It's just pick, pick.
pick, before you have enough meat on your
fork 10 make il worth while TO swallow"
The visitor showed signs of losing his
temper "Ob, bring anything you want
Only be quick"
'Smelts, then. That's the bully fish. Out
comes the backbone and there you are!"
In what seemed to the prosecuted
stranger an incredibly short time the viva
service OF the euIogizsd fsh on the table.
As he tossed a napkin down he leaned
over the table and whispered: Get onto
his nibS across the way. He's been waiting
fifteen minutes for ME TO get his order; but
l know a gentleman when L see one ana
that's why | stay by you. Right l am,
amt /? AS l went by him a minute ago.
pursuing the even tenor OF my way, he
said, Say, you are SO behinGhaDd that if
should whistle Annie Rooney" you would
think it was something new.
The gentleman set bis teeth firmly and
tried not to heed the lidal-waYe OF loQuacity
that was directed at him.
Have you heard about these sgide fire.
insurance companies that have been lately
started? Oh, they are birds! They fleece
people before their own noses! Awful
don't you say so? But they won't get away
with me. Pm too smart for en-"
There was no reply. 1t WAS thought
wisest to let the waiter run down." if
such thing were possible.
Il heard a man say the other day that he
had a cellarful of wines so fermented and
old that corks go out with loud pop if they
even see man coming toward them with a
corkscrew. Pretty good. isn't il?'
Slill a profound silence. The stranger
was getting the worst of the round.
That fellow over there ! told you about
say. he'll get gray before l wait on him. /
hate these flip people. Why, he told me
was better waiter ten years ago than | am
to-day. That makes me tired"
Give me a check for my dinner, please"
asked the gentleman wesrily.
''Surel But-why, you amt foxy little
bit! You could have had all those dishes
for fifty cents, and worked in small black
coffee, too, if you mad known how to order.
That's bad headWOrk"
The tables IN the vicinity OF the wretched
visitor were all well crowded with amused
spectators of the affair. The gentleman
observed this and flushed in anger.
He snatched up his check anu hat and
drew on his overcoat
why this unseemly haste?" inquired the
knight of the napkin blandly. OF al.
ready? AS the fellow says:
The nightingale sings on the bough
The watchdog bays the moon.
The cricket chrps upon the hearth
And must thou so soon?
"HOw's that? I'm all right, ANTI? But il
you must gO-why. you must. So long. Well
| meet again." And tossing his napkin aiTiiy
over his arm he saunIered away toward the
kitchen.