Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-05
PUNISHED FOR FIBBING.
Why He Denied Himself a Plate of
Tempting Blue Points.


A well-known Washington man has paid
the penalty of fashionable fibbing, and his
punishment coming by way of the stomach,
has taught him a lesson.
This Is the way it happened:
Mr.. A.-who, by the way, has not been
long married-met some out-of-town friends
one morning last week and invited them
off-hand to dine that night.
Come up and see what a charming little
wife 1 have, and how cozily we are fixed -
said he.
The friends agreed to come, and Mr. A.
telephoned his wife to prepare for guests.
1t was Monday-bleak. blue Monday-and
q new kitchen importation, cranky range
and a leak in the roof were among thu
stern realities of the day. In the face of
these. Mrs. A. flew about and arranged a
dinner calculated to astonish her husband s
friends. She concluded one of them must
be an ex-sweetheart, and her womanly in
stinet was not at fault.
Hubby came home an hour earlier than
usual WHEY was fresh and sweet and
hopeful of the dinner, but joy was turned
to grief when six instead Of four guests ar
rlYsd for dinner. You see," explained the
husband of the ex-sweetheart, I'VE ran into
Smith and Jones up at the library. Knew
you'd want to see them, so told them to
come along and see how well you were set
tied; what a jewel of a wife you had, and
all that sort of thing. Hope it's all right,
old mani?
"Oh, yes. all right; certainly" returned
Mr.. A., but Mrs. A. turned pale at the idea
of there being a scarcity of dinner. While
the others were talking she managed to
slip out and take counsel with the cook.
Fortunately all things could be apportioned
satisfactorily. with the exception Of the
oysters. By no calculation could blue
points on the half shell for six be made to
do duty for eight. Five plates were eked
out, and Mr.. A. upon learning the predica-
ment heroically insisted upon going with
out.
Dinner was served and the ex-sweetheart
made herself very agreeable. Sitting at Mr.
AS right, she noticed his abstinence and
remarked: Don't you eat oysters? I
thought you used to be so fond Of them"
Never eat them" replied Mr.. A. Beast
~ things-they never did agree with me, 50
I've given them UP"
Then everybody took UP the theme and
Mr.. A. was condoled with, advised just how
to cultivate a liking for oysters, until the
arrival OF soup put an end to the oyster
subject.
The next evening Mr.. and Mrs. A. were
invited to dine with the out-of-town friends
at their hotel. The place is famous for its
delicious table. and the party sat down to u
tons were already arranged. Mr.. A. had
forgotten his oyster predicament of the
night before, but his wife was dismayed to
see him plunge his fork into succuIent
bivalve with all the satisfaction Of a keen
lover of the same. Meanwhile the ex-
sweetheart was regarding Mr.. A. with as
constituent. 1t was a moment for the dis
play of woman's wit, and Mrs. A. saved her
husband by giving utterance to a shrill
shrek and jumping upon a chair.
"A mouse, a mouse" she cried. Quick as
a Hash every one was up, and Mr.. A. rush.
ing to the resue of his wife received an
agonized warning that was fairly Kissed
into his ear.
You do not eat oysters. Beastly things,
you know"
Light dawned upon the mind of Mr. A.,
and because he had chosen to fib at his own
table, he was obliged to forego the most
perfectly iced plate of blue points that ever
tantalized a mans appetite.
However much Mr.. A. suffered In fore
going the oysters. he pronounced Mrs. A. a
brick for the saving of his reputation in
the eyes Of her ex-sweetheart. Some wo-
men would not have been as amiable.