The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-02-06
HUNTING A DINNER.


NJ. and Nine. Tamponet, read as follows:
ave have just received hamper CON
tanning a superb trout and pullet stuffed
with truflles The trout is not to be de-
layed, so pardon this hurried invitation
and come and dine with us this evening. "
Tamponets face took on an expression
Of joy that every gourmet will under
stand, for Tamponet welded a famous
fork. That very day the couple had had a
quarrel about the dinner-onion soup, fried
whiting boiled shoulder of mutton and
lentils.
Whom is the invitation from?" asked
madame.
wait a moment, I'm trying to make
out, >" said Tomponet, and he murmured
"Rousse-Bouss-ah, ROusseauP'
"Oh, the Rousseausl" exclaimed Nine.
Tamponet. Very kind of them, I'm sure.
Well, what's the matter with you, looking
at the letter like thatp Come, let's get
ready"
IL said Rousseau, but am not sure
It seems to me that then, thinking he
has It at last-"ah, Boussieux-at least,
! think so. Rouss-Bouss-no it's neither
an r nor b, it's an H." and he began
mumbling again: "Heis, Hass, Hiss,
Houss-ah, our friends the Houssards, ."
well, If we can't make the name out,
we shan't go, then," concluded Nine.
Tamponet, "and it'll teach people who in
vite us to dinner to sign their letters
legibly."
but our friends rely on u.s." Tamponet
declared. I'VE must take a carriage by
the hour and go to all three places"
"All three places' repeated Nine. Tam
ponet ironically. DO you think am 60
a., ,rriII phu xuifh
one end Of Paris to the otherY"
"well, then, I'll go for you"
"Or rather for the trout and the pullet." F"
They're better than your fried whit
ing your boiled leg Of mutton that's all
gristle and tendons, and your lentils."
"Oh, know you would go all over
Paris for a good dinner. Bah, your glut-
tony is disgusting" And the discussion
ended there. Nine. Tamponet slammed
the door Of her room after her
An empty cab passed the door as Tam
ponet left the house. He hailed the
driver, and the carriage stopped.
"By the hour" he said.
"Right your are. Where toY''
Houssard living nearest, his address
was given first. In ten minutes Tamponet
was there He hurried up the three
flights to the Houssards' floor and rang
the bell. An instant later he was received
by Nine. Houssard.
my dear NJ. Tamponet, she exolaim-
ed, rising painfully from an easy chair,
"what happy thought brought you to see
poor invalid laid up with the headache9
How kind you are. 1t is not my reception
day, am not expecting any one, my hus-
band is dining down town, and you can't
imagine how tired Of myself 1 was get
ting"
Tamponet could make no adequate re-
sponse to such cordial greeting. "You
are too good, my dear madam, he STAN
mered. Unfortunately l cannot stay
long"
"You must stay as long as you can.
How is your charming wifeY" And the in
valid continued to eulogize the wife, while
the husband, who dared not look at his
watch, could not take his eyes off the
clock.
"You are noticing my clock?" said the
lady presently. "Is 1t not prettyY My
husband bought it for me at sale, and it
was rare bargain. 1t has quite a his
tory--rather long story, butt
Tamponet jumped up in alright. my
dear madam" he exclaimed, II could
never forgive myself If l let you fatigue
yourself with long recital, when you
have such headache" And as she laid her
hand on his arm to detain him he seized
the extended hand shook it and escaped.
Our gastronome next gave Boussieux's
address.
Nine. Boussieux was at home. Her hus-
band having left for Havre that morning
TO be 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
III. Nl.,v t,lrn . In.,
soon as the breakfast table was cleared,
the servants left. Their mistress immedi-
ately got cab at the neighboring stand
and was driven with all haste to a famous
restaurant, where she ordered an elaborate
dinner for two.
just as Tamponet was about to ring the
bell at Boussieux's the door opened to
give passage to white costumed individ-
ual who stood aside, holding in his hand
an empty hamper, on which could be read
the name OF the famous restaurant.
''At lasti" sighed Tamponet, and his
mouth fairly watered. Here it is" And
he went in.
An individual in dress coat, with
white tie and gloves, was standing in the
Anteroom.
~ suppose you are In the same box as
myself" said Tamponet to the parsonage
In evening dress. You're waiting for
servant to announce you, chr"
''No, sir, )" replied the other. "I am
waiter from Voisin's famous restaurant,
and ! am to serve dinner as soon as an ex-
pected guest arrives"
Hum, i must be keeping them wait
ing" thought Tamponet, and seeing the
door Of the drawing room open he entered
the room, his excuses on the tip Of his
tongue.
He was surprised TO see no one there.
But doubtless Boussieux had taken the
men into his study TO give them an abb
smith, while the ladies must be In his
wife's room. And he went down the long
hall, at the end OF which was Boussieuxs
study. Here new surprise awaited him.
The door was closed, and he heard no
voices from within.
While Tamponot was thus searching for
the guests a little oonjugal drama was
taking place at the other end of the apart
ment. Boussioux, having met the Hayre
merchant, who had himself started for
Paris, 40 the Rouon station, returned with
him. Tbiy had arranged their business
affair ON the train, and Boussieux as soon
~ he reached Paris, had hurried home,
whore no expected 10 lind his wifa at din.
psr As no had his key he had come In
without ringing tho boil, and seeing the