The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1895-07-26

| been very wicked, and | ought to scOld
YOU and be very moral, and I'm sure
story baltster and getting Shocked,
SERVES her right then for eavesdrop-
ping. The only ray Of unaloyed Joy in
| my leaving New York is the thought
that I'll never again hear Mrs. Rogers
whining appeal for Just Il tritie. on last
months account All, WELL. the poor
%Snm n, has .n had a her frs "4d ha t
kindly of her, too, for she introduced lie
to you: Come along. if you are ready.
Let's forget Mrs. Rogers, the tanch the
past and the future-eyerything but our
selves and our ~. for awhile"
"How you banged the front door. Jack.
You wouldn't have dared do that il you
weren't going to escape from the board
in ;,. tomorrow; Isn't it lovely
night? You see the stars are shining
and there's thin, clear, silvery little
new moon; that's good omen. Lend
me the " a minute, want to turn it
over III my hand and make wish. There,
the wish was for YOU, but won't tell
you what it was. Which way are we go
Edwards Sixth avenue, my dear and
here's our large and comfortable car
riage with two horses just as you sug-
Eested. and there are even bells OH the
harness, to make music for my lady
wherever she goes We're generous, so
we share our carriage with Il few other
millionaircs, and as l see that our John
has forgotten rugs and footwarmers,
you'd better snugglc up to the CHEEKY
stove.
IF you're at all chilly. think of the
last Days of PomlRii' and dwell in the
idea of volcanoes and burning lava.
You'll find it very comforting. Many IL
time I've gotten up Il fine imitation of
persplration. in the dead of winter when
my tolcoat was ut my 'urtcle's,' just think
ing about Pompeii and Vesuvius. l
give you the tip for nothing.
est of restaurants. You see the sign?
Finest table d'hotc dinner in town for
30 cents. including wine. Can't be beatr
Can't be beat! l should think it couldn't,
more's the pity! I've tried to myself,
but they insist upon cash payments.
An, good evening. Monsieur Larriere,
here we are again. and we're going to
cat and drink ourselves sick with the
larest of wines and the richest of food.
Yes this table will do. | need not in
quire about Nine. Larriere's health. since
see her looking as charming and youth
full as ever at that cruel desk, where |
must need hand over this precious green
back for two dinners, including wine"
An, sir, it make ME to rejoice that you
DO be in $" good spirits. 1t is pleasure
to see the cheerful face
Alas. you won't see it again for long
while! | go West tomorrow for don't
know how long. See here, Larricrc I've
been here off and on for many year and
mlnys the good customer I've brought
you: Now this is farewell dinner I'm
having with my friend tonight, and I'm
going to ask Il favor of you, for the sake
of old times.
''Sit down. Madge, want to speak pri-
vately with Mr.. Larriere a moment.
There. didn't want her to hear, in case
you should disappoint me. It's just this
my little friend is very fond of music and
| want to give her Il little treat. Aren't
there any musicians among your dodgers
upstairs? And if there are, can't you
get them to come down and give us !,
tune t! or two; Will" we eat? III be frank,
I've only 80 cents in my pocket after
take out ten for the walters tin, so the
music mustn't come high or we can't
pay for it. What do You say? It's late,
and see there are only one or two other
diners here. Ask them if they'll object
to a little music. And Nine. Larriere.
will she object?'
ing. Those gentlemans which dine do
like music: they are friends of mine and
was not Nine. Larriere in " chorus of re
opera! Yes, it is one fine idea. 1t can
be arranged. You shall see! Ah I'M
derstand, L have been young too, have
been young too, | have had les joies dc
la JeunesSe ct ramour. Say not one
word: it shall be arranged''
Nj. Larriere was as good as his word.
Jack and Madge ha just arrived at the
third course of their modest banquet
when suddenly there sounded from the
hallway the familiar strains of "I.oin du
Bal rendered by two violins and a cello,
with an occasional wall from a wheezy
flute.
NJ. Larriere beamed with delight. his
feet tapped the sanded floor of the little
restaurant and every few minutes he
nodded and winked at Jack in benevolent
sympathy.
The other diners did not object to the
music; Nine. Larriere hummed the tunes
under her breath; Jack was recklessly
happy, and Madge laughed till she almost
gramme for the evening
The music would not have passed mus
ter with a critical audience, but it pleased
its hearers, who Scorned to notice that
the violins occasionally outdistanced the
cello or that the flute seemed to be suf-
fering from influenza.
10 the diners at other tables the oDe-
ratio airs and dreamy waltzes were mere
~ IL pleasant innovation in table d'hote
customs. To Nine. Larriere they re-
called the days of youthful glory, when,
:rrayed in stage finery, she sang in the
front row of the chorus. To monsieur
came thoughts of other times, before he
had settled down and married madame.
when his head was covered with luxuri-
ant locks instead of the little skull can
he now Wore, and when his mind was oc-
cupied with ideas of pretty maids and
loves romancing, instead of the present
monotonous commercial calculations.
Jack liked the music because it pleased
Madge and because he was i'll the mood
to like anything that helped him to forget
yesterday and tomorrow.
Madge was touched by the proof of
jacks thoughtfuness. and there was a
tender ring in her voice as she thanked
him.
Too soon that joyous dinner ended; the
coffee cups were drained to the last drop:
the other diners had departed ere the mu>
sic ceased, and Jack rose sorrowfully from
the table.
There was Il goodbye to be said to Mon
sicur and Madame Larriere, then the mu
sicians were paid 40 cents was the price
of that treat; yes, that was all it cost,
and this is Il true story. Then Madge
put OH her sha bby little coat and Monsieur
Larriere held the door open while she
walked out arm in arm with Jack
Shall we step into our grand carriage
again? There's 10 cents left to spend"
said the temporary millionaire; .
NO; let's walk. It'll take longer,!''
said Madge. So they walked home. al
are too full of tender, half sad, half hap
by thoughts for speech. Only just rs