New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-05
THOUGHT 1T WAS 4 "PI4NO TALK"
AN ABsTRACrED CLERK WHO GOT INTO TROUBLE
WITH AN INQlISITIVE GUEST.

AN ABsTRACTED CLERK WHO GOT INTO TROUBLE
WITH AN INQVISITIvE GUEST
An bsent-minded clerk and an inquistive guest
managed 10 get tangled upon argument at the
Waldorf yesterday that almost led TO blows. Both
perfectly innocent In the matter. but enough
i-feeling engendered TO justify an international
dispute. The Waldorf has the first floor recep-
tion-room and parlor This is utilized for all kinds
OF entertainments one day art sale Is held there
the next display Of fancy work. perhaps musi-
cal the next and on. Yesterday afternoon
musical programme given in this recepton-room
and that what caused all the trouble. The door
leading to the room. which Is usually open to all.
watched BY attendant who demanded cards
This aroused the curiosity OF the inquistive guest;
He walked around the corridor eying the room
from every possible point Of vantage. and then
walked up TO the desk and said TO the clerk. who
writing in a huge ledger:
What's going in there"
The clerk jabbed his pen In the inkstand and re
piled tersey:I guess it's bird recital
Then he continued his writing with never a CULVER
OF eyelash The inquisitive guest contracted his
eyebrows then he looked for lurking CLEAN OF
amusement in the clerks eye, but found none Then
ne turned and wandered into the cafe to think over
the problem. After due deberation he came 20 the
conclusion that 1t not all straight and he came
back. He expected TO the clerk give some sign
OF amusement when he approached the desk. but
instead the behind the onyx was Immersed
more deeply than ever IN the big DOCK Inc guest re-
peated his question. saying:
What did you say going on in that room
The clerk never raised his eyebrows. but muttered
something about -four and seven make eleven
and" - adding hurriedy
Il don't know but think It's piano talk
The mystery was deepening. and the inquistive
man saw no way OF the difficulty except to go
and see for himself He could detect nothing In
the clerks manner that warranted him In believing
that he was being made the butt OF Joke. but he
was confident that il all straight So he
walked UP and purchased a ticket and went inside.
In few moments he came out, and he had look
of determination upon his face. he walked up
TO the desk and in rough voice he demanded: 49,
What did you say was going on In tnat room!
The clerk startled at the grun tone and
looked up from his book. He saw that the man
was angry clear through, and he wondered at MS
persstency in asking about the entertainment. lie
II said j was not sure. but thought it was
mo. You didn't" hundred the inauistiys, man.
you sad first 1t was bird recital. said the
man. And then you said II was a. plano tax ana
now you say It's piano recital. am not In the
habit Of being guyed. and you knew what II was
all the time, for you told me straight enough wren
you knew mad found out. ! paid 81 just 70 md
out what was going in that hole. so could catch
You straight You are altogether too recent for this
on talking Indefinitely had not the clerk apoiogized
in a most pen tent manner. He said contritely: a.,
We'll YOU see II is this way We have bird talks,
piano recitals musicals picture exhibitions ana
! was busy with the books and got tangled up;
molIfed: but he is not sure yet that he was not