The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1896-12-26
OVERHEARD IN A RESTAURANT.
Was She Capable of Taking Care of
Herself!

Come on, Johnnie. This IS the table
to sit at fell upon my ears the other
day as l was hastily swallowing my
midday meal, and looking up l saw a
middle-aged woman pushing her way
toward the table at which l was sil
ting, dragging a man some ten years
her senior with her.
Il beg your pardon. Matilda" remon-
strated 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 fur
Their remark.
III order YOU some pork and beans"
continued Matilda, taking up the bill Of
fare and CHANGING it over carefully.
Il think | would like some sausage.
Matilda" Johnnie suggested, drawing
a trembling hand over his mouth and
gIancing longinsly at the plate Of a
neighbOr whore reposed the coveted
sausage.
no, you don't. l don't like sausage.
Its too greasy. Pork and beans are
the best thing for YOU" and Matilda be.
gan to give her order TO the waiter,
while the old man twisted his paper
napkin. However, when he heard her
order glass of milk for him the worm
turned AMI he said with more energy
than he had displayed before:
IN be blamed if III stand milk.
What l want is good hot cup Of coffee
Can't l have it," coaXingly.
no, you can't" was the decided an
swer; land 10 think that you, a pro-
Tossing member too, should use such
words as you do and Matilda slipped
a piece Of sugar from the bowl and hid
it in her handkerchief.
Poor Johnnie said nothing, but a look
Of rebellion fingered on his face as he
silently gulpcd down the milk and shov-
eIcd in the pork and beans. although it
was evident that his Indignation was
waxing stronger with every mouthful.
IN the meantime, Matilda eagerly ate 8
plate of pancakes and enjoyed q piece
Of apple pie, although she would not al
low Johnnie to have any. and all the
while she was sIyly slipping Jumps Of
sugar from the bowl and conccaling
them in her handkerchief 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 tnroughp
The old man raised his head and turn
ed suddenly:
4 do wish you wouldn't be 50 bossy,
Matilda"
i have to be-" was her sharp re-
tort. You haven't any sense. I'm the
one who has to do everything, ana,
thank goodness, can take care of my
self" AS she spoke Matilda gave her
head toss and rising to her feet start
ed for the door, entirely forgetting her
handkerchief of sugar. This article Of
feminine attire thus neglected, fell to
the floor, and half a pound or more
of sugar fell in every direction, attract
ing the attention Of the head waiter,
who hurried TO the scene. He was not
gentle in his remarks and Matilda be-
came very much scared. When he
threatened to call in Il policeman and
have her taken to the station her forti-
tude utterly forsook her and she began
to cry. Suddenly she dried her tears
and said with dignity:
You sha'n't insult ne in this way.
Ny husband will protect me-won't
You, Johnnie:' turning TO Johnnie.
\ wicked CLEAN came into Johnnie's
eyes as she made her appeal and a sar-
castle smile fickcred on his withered
lips:
NO. its not necessary he said, quiet
~ moving away from her OBTAINING
hand. You can take care Of yourself"
Chicago Daily News.