The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1896-12-26
A CHRISTMAS DINNFR CARD.

A CHRISTMAS DINNFR CARD.
Il was stranger and ye took me in
It was my misfortune to be forced r.
spend Christmas in one of the larger
numbering towns on the western coast Of
Michigan and On this eventful day to
us all, l attempted to make myself COM
Portable by twisting myself into a knot
in one Of the large leather chairs and
cooking my feet up on the window.
settled down to try and gain little
cheer from a holiday number of Serb
ner and very poor cigar. had just
finished one Of Robert Grants stories
when became aware OF lady standing
by my side and was surprised to find
that she was about to address me. /
Strengthened myself up as she
said, Il am one of the members of the
Christmas dinner club, organized for the
benefit of travelling men who are away
from their homes and in our city on this
day. ehave been organized for some
present all Of those in our city card en-
titling them to place at dinner at the
table of one of our members. Each one
is to prepare for one person at her table in
excess of the family and invited guests
We are all married or daughters of
prominent men in the city and take this
way to keep up the spirits Of the be
lated stranger within our gates" You
can imagine my surprise at this,
AMI must confess that / was a little
ratified as it was one of the "daugh-
tiers" of the society that was speaking to
me. Finally, collecting myself, the cigar
and the magazine Imade myself present
able for the young lady to bestow this
card upon The conditions are as fol-
lowe: "You are to come to dine at six
O'Clock sharp. Prepare 10 spend the
evening as our guest and friend. You
are in no way to repay the favor, and
you are 10 take the donor Of this card TO
dinner. II you will agree to the con-
ditions you may consider yourself invit-
ed" After thanking her for her extreme
kindness and attempting to discover
more about the society I again lapssd
into the ease of my chair and inspected
the neat little card. On one side the
name Of the donor, on the other steel
Mate emblem and Christmas Dinner {
Club" below. After lunch I began TO
;uspect my wardrobe 50 as to make my
bet appearance and started dressing at
four. Twas 30 nervous that 1 tied my
lies in all conceivable ways, ruffiirg and !
soiline them. Finally the guest was
arrayed in all his glory. Fastening
small carnation in my button hole I de-
cended into the carriage and directed
the driver TO the street number given
me, drew q good many pictures in my
mind of the house and its inmates
hut had not dared to walk out for fear
Of passing it without knowing, and have
them think was making a tour of in
upection. At last we arrived at rather
.umptuous mansion and ascending to the
door rang. 1t was opened immediate
" by a maid and presenting my card
was ushered into magnificent parlcr.
Here l was met by my benefactor, and
hen introduced to her father, mother
md younger sister, we chatted pleasant
" and finally l was told the story of the
of this wonderful club.
rhe lady who had organized it was the
wife of travelling man and he like my
elf had been forced to spend Christ
o.s in a far-a way town. On the morn 6
no he had watched the inhabitants as !
hev went to church. The children