Birmingham state herald., 1896-06-28

ed The young lady desired to make some change in her toilet, and the young newspaper man, thinking she was going to astonish New Orleans with one of her Washington gowns, decided that he would be in the swim, and he went to his room, where he put on new suit built expressly for the visit, but which up to that time he had not worn. Dressed up in his new togs he awaited the appearance of his fair charge, and on her return from her room the couple proceeded to one of the swell restau- rants to enjoy the very best meal that money could buy. Times were good then and the Alabama newspaper man was flush. In the slang of this day he had money to burn. They took seats at table in the handsomely fit ted up restaurant, and looked about them with glances of admiration for the gorgeous decorations, while the young man tried to assume an air which would impress his companion with the belief that if she would only say so he would buy out the entire establishment and move it to her little mountain city home. The French waiter, with his snowy white jacket and apron, was All attention, and from the bill of fare the couple selected dinner which was tempting at every point from the Bayou Cook plants to the cafe noir. The excellence of the service, the novelty of the situation and the zest lent by good appetites made the meal a most delightful one. and right heartily were the young people enjoying 1t. When the meal was about half finished cloud came over the newspaper mans face. A glance at him would have shown that he was in deep and serious trouble The change in his demeanor was noted by his companion, who at once asked it's cause. He told her in tremulous tones that when he changed his suit at the hotel he came away leav- ing his purse with every cent he had be- hind him. He had ordered an elaborate spread, large portion of which had been eaten, and what in the world was he to do? About the time this query flashed through his mind the young lady put the question into words. To him 1t was without answer. He had nothing to carry him through but his Nerve, and he resolved to try that. He laughed. It was very unsatisfactory laugh, but it was the only way he could, at that time, dispose of the subject. The couple continued their meal, but for the young man there was less enjoyment and less relish for the latter half than for the first. While eating he was thinking, and Napoleon never planned as much for his retreat from Moscow as this Ala bama newspaper man planned how he would manage to escape from that res taurant when the proprietor ascertained his immediate 0nanclal cOnulllOH- IF nally, he determined to go to the cash fer after the meal, make clean breast and request him to send one of the wait CTS to the hotel with him for the money. This would be better than being turned over to an officer. He hoped the cashier would take a reasonable and considerate view of the situation and agree to this suggestion. He explained the plan to his companion, who im- mediately pronounced the idea brilliant one and complimented her escort upon the great head he possessed. This pleased him and he asked her to back him up when he appeared before the ogre, tell ing her that 1t would be impossible that the cashier could refuse should she as sume a pleading and pathetic air and say Please do." This agreed upon, the couple finished dinner leisurely, and at the end the smiling and expectant wait CT laid upon the table a check for the meal It called for the payment to the cashier $6.95. The time for the bluff had arrived. The moment of trial was at hand and could not be put off. The young newspaper man had many times before that used the expression, with fear and trembling" He never uses it now--it is now too sacred term to be used lightly. It was the sensation which possessed him as he approached the throne from which the. cashier dis