The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1893-04-01
EATING DINNER MECHANICALLY


tho Food aud drink.
On n recent evening a big man with a
heavy walk entered a we'll known cafe
on upper Broadway and sank YEARLY
into a chair at a Ia BILE. He was about
fifty years old and had the appearance
of a high liver. His face had the pecu-
liar purplish-red color which is some
times ascribed to burgundy and some
times to champagne. but is always due
to indulgence of the appetite for good
things His movements indicated. tina t
he felt sluggish, and it would have Gre
ated no surprise in the observer to have
been told that he was liable to apo
PleNy. He seemed preoccupied, and
-glanced listlessly about the room
Presently a waiter came up to him He
was about the same age as the man at
the ia BILE, but was quick and active.
Good morning, Mr.. JONES'" he said,
brislzly. I'VE have some nice turtle
soup and some excellent roast grouse -
''All right, James," said the other,
abse t-minde dly.
''Some potatoes chateau and a lettuce
salad?''
Yes"
The waiter went away and returned
presently with some illustrated papers,
which the man took from him without
so much as looking up. The soup was
brought on and ladled out by the wait
or, who then took the napkin and
spread it carefully over the mans lap
He brought on Il glass of sherry, al
though the man had said nothing about
it, and set it down beside his plate.
The man did not notice it, but began to
eat his soup grcedily.
You are forge ting your sherry, sir,'
said the waiter, respectfully.
Mechanically the diner reached out
and carried the glass to his lips The
waiter watched him as carefully as Il
mother does her child filled the glass
of water when it was empty, replaced
the napkin when it slipped down, and
in other ways saw to it that the diner
was com forta BILE. The soup was fol-
lowed by the roast, pota toes, and some
celery The latter had not b en- Or
dered, either The grouse was carved
by the waiter, who also served the po-
tatoes and picked out the tender pieces
do you want your champagne, sir?"
he asked
What champagnc?' demanded the
diner, querulously.
you have half bottle left from last
night. sir"
TIE waiter returned with half
empty bottle. A rubber cork tightly
pressed into the mouth had preserved
the sparkle. Through the remainder
of the meal the waiter never relaxed
his watchfulncss, although he had to
diner had finished his coffee he started
&c Ii;ssc Tbs waiter, who happened to
be at another table, ..t..4. e.;t ate1s side
''Wait a moment, Mr.. JONES' he said; ]
you must take your pcpsn."
Then why the deuce don't you bring
it?''
Fright away, sir"
In moment he had rushed out of
the room and returned speedily with
bottle andsspoon. He mixed up a dose
in glass and handed it to the man. |
who drank it with wry face. Then |
the waiter brought finger bowl and a |
cigar, of which he cut off the end. He |
waited until the man had slowly put it
between his lips and then he struck a |
match and applied the light The man
puffed slowly that the match had |
burned down to the walters fingers |
and scorchcd them before the cigar was |
thoroughly lighted. The waiter now |
helpedthe man on with his overcoat,
his silk muffaer, buttoned up |
the coat and handed him his cane
Good night, Mr.. JONES' said the
waiter. as the man toddled away. An
ndistinct mum bling was the only re-
ply.
The head waiter explained. That
nan Jones' said he, has been coming
'cre for fifteen years and always has
he same waiter He's grouty man. |
out not bad hearted He's chronic
'yspeptic, but YOU see he won't deny
himself much You noticed he didn't
Up the waiter7 That's because he pays
lin once week and generously He
pays his meal checks the same way.
The waiter knows his habits absolute
y, and, you saw. does not require
my orders. He knows that he wants
certain things always, and unde rstands
lis tastes we'll enough to be able to
uggest a satisfactory menu every time.
have an idea the old fellow will re-
nemb Der his waiter in his will He
'ives him lots Of presents. AS we'll he
night, for the waiter does about every
hing except eat and drink for him.
T. Y. Sun
THE MllLIONAIRES MALADY.