Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1896-11-14
1urnnEARn IN A RESTAURANT.
She Was Capable of Taking Care OF
Herself.

herbeiIs
"Colne on. Johnnie. This is the table
to sit at" fell upon my ears the other
day as | was hastily swallowing my
midday meal, and looking up l saw a
mlddle-aged woman pushing her way
toward the table at which ! was sitting
dragging a man some ten years her
senior with her.
~ beg your pardon, Matilda remon'
| strated the man in n meek voice. "put
the mir from that pesky electric ian
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. =.
an order you some pork and beans
continued Matilda, taking up the bill
of fare and glancing it over carefully
az think | would like some sausage
Matilda" Johnnie suggested, drawing
a trembling hand over his mouth and
glancing longingly al the plate OF a
ncighbor where reposed the coveted
sausage.
"No, 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 worn turned
and he said with more energy than he
had displayed before:
"Ill be blamed if I'll stand milk,
What want is a good hot cup of coffee.
Can't l have tt" 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.
nation was waxing stronger with every
mouthful. In the meantime Matilda
eagerly ate a plate of pancakes and EN-.
ioyed a 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:
"Ain't you ever going to get through"
The old man raised his head and
turned suddenly:
81 do wish you wouldn't be so bossy,
Matilda"
81 have to be-" was her sharp rctort
"iou 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 a
toss and rising to her feet started for
the door, entirely forgetting her hand.
kcrchief 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 a 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:
"lou sha'n't insult me in this way
My husband will protect me. Won't
you, Johnnie?" turning to Johnnie.
A wicked CLEAN came into Johnnie.
eyes as she made her appeal and a 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"
hjpopn nai1r No,r,