The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-07
HUNT FOR A DINNER.

lows;
I'VE have Just received u hamper con-
tuining superb trout aud pullct stuff
cd with truiiies, The trout Is not 10 be
delayed, so pardon this hurried invita-
ton and come and dine with Us this
evening"
Tamponets face took an expression
OF Toy that every gourmet Will under
stGnd. for Tamp9act welded famous
fork. That very day tho couple had
had a quarrel about the dinner-onion
soup, whiting, boiled shoulder Of NUT
ton and leutils
Whom is the Invitation from" ask
ed madam.
Walt moment, I'm trying to make
ont" said Tamponet, and he murmured
'Ruusse- RouSs-ah, Rolsseau,p
''Oh, the RouSseRusl" exclaimed Mad,
Tamponet, Very kind OF them, I'm
sure. Well. what's the matter with you,
looking at the letter like that? Come,
let's get ready"
III said Rousseau, but am not sure
lit seems TO me that"-then, thinking
he had II at last-"Rh, BOussieux-at
least, think So Rouss-Bouss-no, its
neither an II nor b. It's an IL, :" and he
began inurnuring again: 'iieis, Haas,
AAt'e' atNSes Na' wa ~ 'S"N7 N''N AANe4N
sards,"
well II we can't make the name out
we can't go, then" concluded Mad,
Tamponet, "and it'll teach people who
invite us TO dinner to sign their letters
legibly."
But our friends rely on u.s." Tampa
net declared. we must take q car
riage by the hour and so TO all the
places"
"Ail three plaees!" repeated Mad.
.Tamponet, ironically. DO you think
am going TO 80 on Wild goose chase
with you nom one end OF Paris to the
other?"
'well, then, IN so for YOU"
'Or rather for the trout and the pull
let"
They're better than your fried whit
lpg. your boiled leg OF mutton that's all
gristle and tendons, and your lentils."
"Oh, ! know you would go all over
Paris for good dinner bah, your
gluttony Is disgusting" And the dis
eussion ended there. Mad. Tamponet
slammed the door OF her room after her,
An empty cab passed the door as
Tamponet left the house. He hailed the
driver. and the carriage stopped.
by the hour" he said.
Right you are. where to-"
Houssard living nearest. his address
was given hrst. In ten minutes Tam
| ponet wns there. He hurried up the
three lights TO the Houssards' floor,
and rang the bell An instant later he
was received by Mad. Houssard.
My dear NJ. Tamponet," she exclaim-
ed. rising painfully from an easy chair.
What happy thought brought You TO
see n poor invalid laid up.w-ith the head
che? How kind you are; II Is not my
reception day. I am not expecting any
one. my husband is dining downstairs,
and you can't imagine how tired OF my
self was getting"
TampOnet could make no adequate
response TO such cordial greeting.
You are too good. my dear madam"
he stammeTed. Unfortunately can
not stay long"
you must stay ms long as you can.
How Is your charming wife?" and the
invalid continued TO eulogiZe the wife,
while the husband. who dared not look
at his watch. could not take his eyes on
the clock.
You are noticing my clock" said the
lady presently. Is Il not pretty? Ny
husband bought Il for me at n sale, and
Il was a rare bargain. II has quite q
hlstory-rnther a long story. but
Tamponet jumped up alright. MY
dear madam" he exclaimed, Il could
never forgive myself II let you fatigue
yourself with a long recital. when you
have such a headache" and, as she laid
her hand upon his arm to detain him
he seized the extended hand. shook Il,
and escaped.
sleux's address.
husband had left for Havre that morn
ing 70 b. gone three or four days, she
had told her cook and the maid that she
would dine with some friends, and that
after her late breakfast they could take
| the day on. As soon as the breakfast
[ table was cleared and the servants left
/ their mistress Immediately got cab NJ
| the neIghboring stand,a and was driven
| with all haste to q famous restaurant.
where she ordered an elaborate dinner
for two.
Just rs Tampouet was about TO ring
| the bell al BoussieuK's the door opened
10 give passage to n well costumed In
dlvidual who stood aside holding In his
hand an empty hamper, on which could
be read the name OF the famous restau-
rant.
mouth larry Nhlcltb' ASAN - -
he went in.
white tie and gloves. was standing in
| the Rnte-roOm.
Il suppose you are in the same box as
myself" said Tamponet to the person
age In evening dress. You are waiting
for a servant TO announce you, chr
mo. sir" replied the other. II am q
walter from VoIEln's famous restau-
rant. and am here to serve dinner as
soon as an expected guest arrives"
Hum. I must be keeping them walt
ing" thought Tamponet, and seeing the
door Of the drawing.room open. he en-.
tered the room. his excuse on the tip oil
his tongue.
He was surprised to see no one there.
| But doubtless BoussieuX had taken the
men into his study 10 give them an aD-
slnthe. while the ladies' must be In ms
wife'a room. And he went down the
| long hall. at the end Of which was BOus-
sieuX's study. Here a new surprise
awaited him; the door was closed and
he heard no voices from within.
While Tamponct was thus searching
for the guests. a little conjugal drama
was taking place at the other end OF the
apartment. BOussleuX, having met the
| iayre merchant, who had himself
| Started for Paris. al the ROuen station.
returned with him; they had arranged
| their business affair on the train, and
BoussIeuI, as soon as he reached Paris.
had hurried home. where he expected 10
and his wife nt dinner. As he had his
Key, he had come in without ringing the
bell, and. seeing the aforementioned
personnge IN tie anteroorn. had stopped
The waiter madc himself known. and
added the expected gentleman had Just
arrived: as Tor himself. he was Just
about 70 serve dinner 49,
Not oompTehrndlnE whit all this
| -, a,.J s.srtnr 10 COMPREHEND H.,