St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-07-29
HOW HE BROKE IN.
The Railroad MaRnate Tells q StoFy
Of the Wager He W0n-A
Hot DoughnaG

Of the Wager He W0n-A
| Hot DouEhnuG
The railroad magnate was relating
| to a select circle of friends how he got
his start in life. Said he:
MY first regular employment was as
a counter jumper in small town. at no
extravagant salary. had social aspira-
tions, however, and, among others, be-
came acquainted with the daughter of
the local agent of a big railroad. We
came to be good friends. and l fairly
bankrupted myself trying to keep up
with the social clique to which she be-
longed. She was a fun-loving. mis-
chievous maiden. quite up to snuff, and
an ardent partisan, opposed to me po-
liticalIy. A presidential campaign be-
gan, and as it proceeded we often ex-
changed banter. Finally one day, ex-
asperated by her assurance, said:
In bet you five pounds of candy
against doughnut that my man wins.
But you must make the doughnut your
self. and feed it to me-
Done said she.
"The election came of, my man won.
and claimed the bet. She put me of.
claiming she wanted time to study
up her recipes. We'll. make me big
one,' said l. And prefer them hot
from the kettle
"At the end of a week a message noti-
fed me to call the evening of that day.
complied. arriving in good season, ex-
pecting jolly tete-a-tete and no little
sport over the payment of the wager.
But when was ushered into the parlor
found two girl friends of hers already
there. 1 felt little annoyed at this.
And they stayed and stayed. while l
wriggled inwardly. Then the door bell
rang and two of the young men of sur
circle came in, greeting me uncon-
cernedly. To cut it short, more girls
came and more fellows and SO on, until
there was room full. Then my hostess
arose and addressed the company, tell
ing of the bet and the terms, and an
nouncing that she would now carry out
her agreement before the eyes of all.
She led me to the most conspicuous seat
in the room, bade me put my hands be
hind me, tucked a napkin under my
chin, and departed for the pantry.
Thence she returned, followed by her
kid sister. laden with plates and big
pan of doughnuts. All the company
were served in turn but /. Then when
all were under way she stepped out
again, and came back bearing platter
upon which reposed a sugared dough-
nut the size of a dinner plate. Seating
herself at my side, while all eyes were
turned our way, she held the dOughnut
to my lips, and took generous bite.
''Shades of the inquisition! That was
hot one with vengeance! 1t was
thickly covered with red pepper, and
the expression on my face brought the
smiles to dozen or so pairs of lips. Is
it hot enough for you. Mr.. Bright?
mockingly inquired the fair caterer. A
glance at the malicious smile on her
face steeled my determination never to
be beaten. Just the thing said i;
give me another bite
"And / ate that doughnut, though
the tears welled up in my eyes. With
wicked satisfaction noted sm0thered
sneezes and furtive dabs with hand
kerchief as the pepper got into the face
of the tormentor now and then. She
ran away once, but caught her, hauled
her back, and forced her to feed me to
the last crumb. For good measure ate
one of the plain doughnuts, too, and
then announced that she had rendered
satisfaction.
"And the company who had as
sembled to witness my humiliation?
They were dumfounded ut first, then
they applauded and called for speeches
from both of us. told them l was of
Mexican descent and brought up on
chile con carne and she acknowledged
herself fairly beaten at her own game.
"About a month later her uncle, who
was high official on the road, came on
a visit. OF course he was told of the
occurrence, and when I next called he
claimed an introduction. Young man.
said he to me. I've heard of how you ate
that red-hot doughnut without muir
muir. A man with as much nerve IA
that oughtn't to bury himself in store.
I'll give you the next travelling passen-
ger agency that's vacant. if you
want it."
"'Well,' said I, I'll be only too glad
to accept your offer, knowing as do
that railroad people keep their word
(glancing slyly at the girl as spoke).
'And what's best of all. he did get me
a position, and from that rose to the
one | now occupy. No. didn't marry
the girl. Free Press.