The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1896-11-06
OVERHEARD IN A RESTAURANT.
She Was Capable of Taking Care of
Herself.

bhc was tapaDle OF Taxing Care OF
Herself.
"Come on, Johnnie. This is the table
to sit at" fell upon my ears the other
day as 1 was hastily swallowing my
midday meal, and looking up 1 saw .
middle-aged woman pushing her way
toward the table at which was sitting,
dragging a man some ten years heI
senior with her.
II 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
ther remark.
''I'll order you some pork and BEANS"
continued Matilda, taking up the bill
of fare and glancing it over carefully.
II think | would like some sausage,
Matilda Johnnie suggested, drawing
a trembling hand over his mouth and
glancing longingly at the plate of a
neighbor where reposed the coveted
sausage.
mo, 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.
However, when he heard her order a
glass of milk for him the worm turned
and he said with more energy than he
had displayed before:
''I'll be blamed if I'll stand milk.
What want is good hot cup of coffee
Can't have it?" coaxingly.
mo, you can't" was the decided an
swer; "and to 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 gulped down the milk
and shoveled in the pork and beans.
although it was evident that his indig.
LatioD was waxing stronger with every
mouthful. In the meantime Matilda
eagerly ate a plate of pancakes and en-
joyed 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 con-
cealing 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 through p"
The old man raised his head and
turned suddenly:
II do wish you wouldn't be so bossy,
Matilda"
Il have to be-" was her sharp retort.
You haven't any sense. I'm the one
who has to do everything, and, thank
goodness, / can take care of myself" !"
AS she spoke, Matilda gave her head
toss and rising to her feet started for
the door, entirely forgetting her hand
kerchief of sugar. This article of FEM
mime attire, thus neglected, fell to the
floor, and half a pound or more CT
sugar fell in every direction. attracting
the attention of the head waiter. who
hurried to the scene. He was not gentle
In his remarks, and Matilda became
very much scared. When he threatened
to call in policeman and have her
taken to the station her fortitude utter
ly forsook her and she began to cry.
Suddenly she dried her tears and said,
with dignity:
you sha'n't insult me in this wav.
My husband will protect me. Won't
you, Johnnie?" turning to Johnnie.
wicked CLEAN came into Johnnic's
eyes as she made her appeal and sar-
castle smile flickered on his withered
lips:
"No. it's not necessary" he said, qui-
city, moving away from her OBTAINING
hand. "You can take care of yourself -
Chicago Daily News.