The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-16
IN THE RESTAURANT.


,
Come on, Johnnie, This is the table
to sit at, - fell upon my ears the other day
as | was hastily. Swallowing my midday
meal, and looking up / saw II middle aged
woman pushing her way toward the table
at which l was sitting, dragging man
some ten years her senior with her.
81 beg your pardon, Matilda, rcmon-
stratcd the man, in meek voice, ''but
the air from that pesky electric fan makes
me cough"
'No, it don't" returned Matilda, ''this
is the seat for you, Johnnie; sit down.
and Johnnie sat down without further
remark.
"l'll order you some pork and heans,'
continued Matilda, taking up the bill of
fare and glancing over it carefully.
II think | would like some sausage,
Matilda, " Johnnie suggested, drawing II
trembling hand over his mouth and
glnncing longinSly ut the plate OF II neigh
Dor whore reposed the coveted sausage
NO, you DON'T | don't like sausage.
It's too greasy. Pork and beans are the
best thing for YOU and Matilda began
to give her order to the waiter, while the
old man twisted his paper napkin. How
ever, when he heard her order Il glass of
milk for him the worm turned and said,
with more energy than he had displayed
before:
'Ill he blamed if | stand milk What
| want is good, hot cup of coffee. Can't
| have it?'' coaxingly.
mo, you can't was the decided m.
swer;. and you think that you, Il profess
sional member too, should use such
! dreadful words as you do" and Matilda
| slipped piece of sugar froa the bowl
and hid it in her handkerchief.
| Poor Johnnie said nothing, but II look
! OF rebellion fingered on his face as he ST
lently gulped down the milk and shovelcd
i'll the pork and beans, although it was
evident that his Indignation was waxing
| stronger with every mouthful. In the
meantime, Matilda eagerly ate plate of
pancakes and enjoyed Il piece of apple pie
! although she would not allow Johnnie to
have any, and all the while she was slyly
! slipping Jumps of sugar from the bowl
and concealing them in her ndkerchief.
/ At last she managed to empty her plate
and the.sugar bowl and'was ready to leave
! Turning to her husband, who had not yet
| finished his lunch, she said sharply:
Amt you ever going to get through?n
The old man raised his head and re.
turned sullenly:
II do wish you wouldn't he so bosst.
! Matilda
81 have to be, was the sharp rctort
You haven't any sense Pm the one
I who has to do everything, and thank
| goodness, | can take care of myself AS
she spoke Matilda gave her head toss
and raising to her feet started for the
door, entirely forgetting her handkerchief
OF sugar. This article of feminine attire,
thus neglected, fell to the floor, and the
! half-pound or more of sugar fell in every
| direction, attracting the attention of the
hea lwaitcr, who hurried to the scene
He was not gentle in his remarks and
! Matilda becnmc very much scared When
lie threatened To call policeman and
have her taken to the station her fort-
tudc utterly forsook her and She began to
cry. Suddenly she dried her tears and
said with dignity:
You shan't insult me in this way My
husband will protect me won't you,
Johnnie?" turning to Johnnie.
y wicked CLEAN came into Johnnie IS
eyes as she made her appeal and a sarcas.
tic smile hickered on his wlthered lips:
mo, it's not necessary" he said,
! quietly moving away from her OBTAINING
I hand. "You can take care Of yourself -
Chicago News.