The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-01-25
THE ROANOKE TIMES, SATURDAY, JANUARY IS, 1896

Taitboutp What? Rue Taitboutl did
not ask you for tho number OF your street,
but your place numbor.'
1.-THE number of my placer" returned
Guy hiotically. "what placer
Your place." replied tho old man.
"See, where are your"
The old man fairly screamed, Where
orc you seatedP"
"Oh, nowherol"
"Then, take place." said he, while
the old habituo smiled in pity.
What Is moro provoking, mon Dieu,"
continued tho old man, Ethan people who
don't know anytbing?''
Guy went to place, but just as he was
about to seat himself q noighbor informed
him 1t was occupied and marked by n book
in the absence of the owner. Ho excused
himself and went on. Tho same scene was
removed nine times. At last no found q
place unocoupied-over the furnace regis
ter Ho took his number, laid his hat ON
the desk and returned to tho old man bo-
hind tho railing, and his blank was final
ly made out. The old man glanced ut it,
saying:
'What do you wishp You have not put
down the volume you WANT
"But told you just now that want to
sec u word in tho dictionary
What dictionary?" screamed the old
man oXasporated.
II don't KNOW" replied Guy, also rails
ing his voice.
In tho name of tho Virgin" said the
not for mo to know. But it is provoking,
mon Dieul How aggravntingl Why do
they let people In hore who don't know
anything?''
"Ah, i'll tho namo of dog" said Guy,
stamping his foot, 'if had known--I
would hnvo learned to spell in my youth
it would have taken less timo. Will you
give me dictionary-yos or MOP"
We'll, ask for one" snapped the old
man.
"Ah, Well" said Guy, throwing up his
arms in disgust, "but that is strong
what have boon doing for the last hour?''
'Wliat have you been doing for an hour:
You hive boon boring me-
"Ah, but you are becoming polite you
i species of ancient folio"
Don't you call mo Names" screamed
tho old man, "or I'll havo you put out. j
toll you 10 writo the name of the book YOU
want
a dictionary howlcd Guy "Do you
know what that is-a dictionary?'
Write il, said tho old man hoarscly.
AS Guy commenced writing on the
blank tho old man stopped him with "Not
down thcrc!''
"Oh," returned Guy fooiishly
1T is on tho blanks that arc there ON
tho table" said tho old man without voice,
but still furious, sin front of YOU Oh,
how stupid Mon Dicu, what is tho-9
moro provoking! Whoever lot him in hore
in tho name of Il papyrusl"
Guy, with tho energy OF despair, rushed
to the Table designated. IIo found white
Sheets and green sheets, both with the
Same formula ''book demanded. He
chGnced whito one and writing, "A die.
tionary not important which one, - carried
tho sheet to the old man, who was mon.
ping Ills face behind his railing, and said,
There hope that now
1t is not possible interrupted tho old
man. crimson with rage, you do it in
tontionaliy?"
"What!" asked Guy, rcd us T. raw beef.
steak
"You AFRO seated on tho right sido," said
the old man, brindishing tho sheet above
his head, land you havo written on a
white blnnk!"
Very we'll" replied Guy stupidity.
1T is the green sheets, " thundorod the
old man, 'for tho right side!'
Hang tho papcr!" said Guy Making
his dcmund uu il erNnn sheet, ho handed il
10 The old man, saving, "This is tho last
time
hat II satcmcrt!' muttorcd tho old
man contemptuously. Mon Dicu-go
sit down. and they will bring it to YOU
thorc!' continued no as no moppcd his
face and passed the blank to an employee.
Then ho stretched himself upon his chair
and drew II long breath of relief, whiio
Guy, still red with anger, went to sit over
the register. At tho end of five inmates
he felt tho approaching symptoms of con-
gestion and got up TO walk for u moment,
but under tho murmurs Of his ncighbors
ho was forced to roscat himself and wait
moro and moro rcd-burning physically
and mentally. Suddenly the clock struci,
tho half hour. NO" thought GUY stu
pc1lcd, cit is not possiblc-half past 3. 1t
IS an hour and I. half that l have been
all, no, L will go!'
AS no started out guard stopped him
with, Pardon, monsieur, whcro arc you
going2''
"Out!" yelled Guy. 81 have had
enough OF your box"
"Your blank replied tho guard
gravoly.
What my blank? They took it from
mo down thcro!"
Very well, 80 after it. You can't go
out without it,
WHAT" said Guy, becoming crimson.
cannot-ah, is IL that you take me for
thief"
at is tho rule returned tho upper
turbcd guard.
AS Guy returned to his scat he said to
himself: "At first L could not got in. Now
cannot get out. All, l had tho idoa to
como hero in place Of buying tliction-
ary." He seated himself, and q quarter
OF an hour later they brought him finally
an immense volume. Ho hastily opened it
and began reading. Dictionary of Tech
nology. Volume 1, From a to F.''