The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-29
Short Stories from
 Real Life.

young men. not residents of Montgomery, partook of a Thanksgiving dinner here yesterday and they are ready to testify to the truth of the foregoing assertion.
 Both were cut out from their nome dinners on the great eating day by press of business, They had met here by chance at a hotel and each felt, at the chance meeting. that the day would not be altogether devoid of home-hke features for they were friends or some years standing.
 Nevertheiess.' when one proposed that they adjourn to a neighboring restaurant which had advertised great spread Tor Thanksgiving, there was hidden note of sadness in his voice. He had been thinking since dawn of the long. white table at home, piled high with things that mother alone knew how to make. Likewise, the tone of the other in accept ing the proposition seemed cherry enough to the casual listener. yet there fingered in the answer faint echo or the same element that burdened his friends remarks-for he. too. had been seeing visions of home where the family board greaned under the" weight of tur- key and other adjuncts prepared as only mother can prepare them.
 We two can have a great dinner" ! observed the; first.
 Yes, great dinner" the other replied Sure. Even If we are not at home. "Of course. At home-why, at home they-they will have no venison, you know"
 "Ha, ha! Venison. Of course they won't. Oh. we'll have lots of things they won't have at home.'
 The dinner went very we'll until they finished the soup.
 Fine soup that" said one.
 Great soup" said his friend. But its hn nth -uyh fa thing on the program
 Came soft-sheIl crabs: then salad, chicken salad. Which went in silence. | Profound silence for chicken salad was | one thing they did have at home. and both felt it. Both felt. moreover. that mother was there at home serving out the chicken salad with her own fair. hand. Yes. profound silence accom- l panied the passing of the chicken salad.
 Green peas, lettuce, celery; turkey and | roast beef and venson and candied | yams; caulfower in cream and mashed | potatoes! These served to call out some conversation and the other dishes served l to call out more. And they laughed | these two hilarious feasters away from home on Thanksgiving day! Little short laughs, that died away quickly and left the corners of the lips drawn downward Oh. a great dinner they were having!
 As the merry jests of crowd of drum mers at the next table rang through | the room one of the two gay feasters l suddenly saw a vision of a quiet room in which was gathered a family party | about a board sparkling with polished | silver and well filed alabaster china. There was d vacant seat at the table. The party seemed merry enough at the | board, yet he who saw the vision noted | that they glanced anon at the vacant | seat, and when she who sat at the lower end of the table looked that way there | " n A | before her eyes; the silvered locks about her forehead trembled and the fair hand she ok as it dealt out dainty dish and passed it over the vacant place | And across from him who saw this | vision there sounded out deep drawn sigh. Another vision was arising In that room which rang with shout and laugh
 its a fine dinner" observed one of the friends. but I believe I've had
 :'The dinners all right but this ann brosia seems bit stale" was the others | comment.
 Let's get out in the open air." | And away from this noise.' | Half an hour later two lonely figures might have been seen strolling together far out in the edges of town, their hats drawn down over two serious faces. They were the gay feasters who had been enjoying a dinner such as they didn't | have at home.
 l | see you" said the Montgomery hotel clerk as the Popular Drummer wrote his name in the register; Owe you an apol- ogy, MT. .Woodford." continued the clerk clerk mer. Sorry I didn't get around to see you. Been busy for an hour. Was just fixing in to s9 to soy,1t.d see yo1: the ponu,ar Drummer Have, I become so popular in this town that hotel clerks want to meet me at the trains? Maybe business is running low. Egad. it's a scheme to to send you spick and span clerks to the trains. Ha, ha. hal!
 Meet you at the train? Oh. no! We got your telephone message and the old man told me to run around and fix up
 "Fix me up, eh?'' laughed Popular Drummer, that's good; you're fixing me "Why ye-e-es,; ventured the clerk. The old man couldn't go himself and he told me to attend to 1t. You see. l would have gotten there sooner but I've been
 Cut 1t out Jim, cut 1t out" cried Pop ular Drummer merrily. i've had it myself Whats your come-on gamer"
 You 'foned us from police headquar- ters, didn't your inquired the clerk
 "Me?" demanded Popular Drummer, with hauteur. Me telephone you? We'll, I guess not. Jim. you've got on. Poor Dropping his head and feigning deep sorrow Popular Drummer drew 'ker- chief from his pocket and wiped his eyes.
 Now look ahere Woodford," exclaimed the hotel clerk, bristling up. Don't give
 me anything like that. You know you
 telephoned the old man not an hour ago that you were in jail and asked nm to come around and get you out and Well, dat drat vou Jim. I've notion to plug you ip the eye" interrupted Pop
 ular Drummer What have you been
 taking? I've just this minute come in on the Atlanta train and I'm not going to stand for any such guy D.
 Earnest explanation followed ana Pop- ular Drummer dashed out Of the hotel' He made straight for police headquarters on Madison Avenue when he had climb ed the stairway leading to the once or or the Desk Sergeant, Woodford was out Of
 Let me see your docket, Sergeant" :" exclaimed Woodford. blowing, Let me see your docket. ,
 Popular Drummer explained the circum- stances and the docket was produceo
 Popular Drummer read Bertrhnu D. Woodford Drunk and Disorderly' ,,,
 Well wouldn't that scar your race
 asked Popular Drummer, turning to the Desk Sergeant ..,. } Whats the matter with it?'' en1uired ' the Sergeant. , 1,oo.
 ford growing excited. Hes nsn, rot'd .etI d Bolivar Woodford-thats my name; Jumping Gehenna. sir, l wouldn a iad "a this thing to happen for three hunurtu
 giltedged orders. Man alive, l was never
 drunk in my life .,,o
 Then Woodford relapsed into silence; The Desk Sergeant, his years ot PSree