Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-10-16
a PRINCE OF BOHEMIA.
Gives the Human SNOWFALL a Wholesome
Object Lesson In Courtesy.

The little French restaurant where
this pretty thing happened is SO dear to
the bohenians who dine there every
night that I shall not tell its name or
place. Those who frequent it will know,
and those Eho do not know are mostly
Philistines, and SO unworthy.
They who gather nightly at its little
tables are not boheinians Of the old sort,
long Of hair and short of cash, who rem
dered unto Pabst the things which we're
Chung Lees. They are newspaper men
and writers Of stories, artists and Illus
traitors, contributors to the magazines,
an occasional actor on actress, poet or
two and a few architects. All work
hard. Some earn good salaries, the ma
jority dress well and judged by the old
standards are disgracefully respectable.
But when they pass the little wicker
door which gives entrance from the
dingy street and are greeted by
madame's cheerful: "Bon soir, mon
sieurl Bon soir, madamer' all are on
an equal footing. Nothing is required
except that one be able to contribute to
the general fund of entertainment or in
formation; that he treat his neighbor
courteously and pay his addition"
A score Of small tables fill the room.
some seating four, some only two, and
while most of the habitues know each
other there is an unwritten law that
none shall seat himself at table already
occupied except after asking and receiv-
fha This
is the golden rule.
Until recently there has been room
for all, but the Philistines have found
the place, and now every table usually
has an occupant by half past 6. So it
happened that when the little lady in
black and her little mother came in they
found no table unoccupied and only one
at which room for two could be made.
The little lady in black is recent
conner. She is very shy and very quiet
and very attentive to her mother. And
the mother Such quaint little figure,
and such an absurd and old fashioned
and impossible costume! She might be
Mother Goose herself, or the Old Lady
Who Lived In a Shoe, only she never
would have spanked them all soundly
and sent them to bed" Her face is too
sweet for that.
At the only table where there was
room for the two ladies sat we'll
groomed man, one of The Philistines,
''a rank outsider" as the turf editor
afterward called him. His face was rs
large as q prize pumpkin, as fat as q rag
dolls, and with all the genialty and
winning grace of a SNOWFALL.
The two ladies, after looking all about
the room. approached his table timidly
and said something in very low tone.
The man looked up from his paper with
an icy stare and nodded. The ladies slid
into their seats in an apologetic way.
The man looked furtively around the
room to see if any one had noticed the
shabby and old fashioned dress OF his
vis-a-vis. His apprehensions-on his
own account entirely-were so evident
that several who saw the little comedy
smiled. The man called waitress, said
something to her, got up hastily and
took seat at one of the small tables,
which had single occupant. A quick,
comprehensive glance passed between
mother and daughter, and the young
girl turned very red.
Several Of the diners had seen the
boorish act. A tall, middle aged man
left his seat at one of the center tables,
which was intended for four, but was
then doing duty for six. He stepped
over to the table where the two ladies
were sitting and bowed. Would the
ladies kindly permit him? 1t was SO
crowded at the other table, you know.
And then he sat down with them and
drew them quietly into conversation, as
is permitted to gray hairs in French
restaurant. It was noticed that Octavie
brought him quart of ordinaire instead
of his usual pint, and that he filled all
three glasses. And the five companions
whom he had left at the other table,
knowing how good talker he was, how
nice tact he had and how pleasant
faculty of discovering what interested
those with whom he came in contact,
smiled to see both the little lady in
black and her mother grow animated
and to hear them laugh occasionally
New York Herald.