The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-04-26
WOULD TELL OF A DINNER.
But the Bore Was Discounted ana
Put on the Train.

But the Bore Was Discounted ana
Pat on the Train.
The girl was pretty enough to attract
attention as she entered the elevated
train, and Of her escorts the one whose
name was soon disclosed to be Jack look
ed very important His accent was slight
~ affected. The other escort was neu-
trail looking chap with no accent. His
name proved to be Tom
As soon as the trio were seated Jack in
loud voice took up a story with which
he had evidently beeH boring his compan-
ions before they entered the car. 1t was
a recital in great detail Of his experiences
at a recent dinner. He described the
courses. told what the guests said, which
was uninteresting, and even retailed his
own feelings. The girl and Tom looked
as il they were heartily tired Of it. Jack
gave them no opportunity to interrupt.
"Then," he continued, when the coffee
was brought In l asked the waiter to put
three Jumps of sugar in mine, and he
seemed surprised because, you know,
most people take only one lump Of sugar,
but I have always taken three In mine
ever since | was old enough to order, and
that was the way my father did, and
what he did was good enough for me,
and then the gentleman who sat opposite
me and whose name did not catch, as
most Of them were French, lifted his
glass and, bowling to me, said, "A votre
sante,' and r.
"What did he sayT interrupted the
girl.
"He said, "A votre sante,' and ~
ado you mean to say that a gentleman
said that to your said the girl, and one
Of the passengers thought he saw her
give Tom little kick.
"Why-er-that is. Of course he was a
gentleman" said Jack.
"Do you know what It meantr' asked
the girl.
"Why-erthat Is, not exactly, Of
course. but in a general way 1t is a COM
plimentary toast"
do you know Its true meaning" said
Tom, coming to the girls aid, when the
man lifts his glass and says 1t to youf"
The chap called Jack was now badly
fustered. and he admitted that he did
not know exactly what the Frenchman
intended to say to him.
"And you sat there. Jack" said the
girl earnestly, land permitted that fellow
to say that to you without resenting itT'
"Resent 1t! Why, didn't know that
know thatT
But be said "A votre sante' to you.
Tom. would you let anybody say such q
thing as that to you?
mot il were as big as he was" Said
Tom promptly.
BY this time most of the passengers
within earshot were enjoying the sport.
When they wanted to laugh. they held up
their newspapers. The girls face gave
no indication of the fun that she was
having except when she turned around
to Tom and allowed one eyelid to drop
slowly until the lashes rested on her
cheek. 1t was q deliberate wink. and
Tom responded In kind The other chap
seemed to feel that he had made a mis-
take in some way, but he didn't know
Just how. Moreover. he knew that enough
Of the conversation had been overheard
by the other passengers to make him ap-
pear ridiculous In their eyes.
II don't just see yet where the insult
In saying "A votre sante' comes in" he
said.
'You explain to him. Tom" said tha
girl.
81 have not the heart to tell you,
Jack" said Tom. Really. haven't,
old man, but il you ever see that French
man again just punch his face and see
what he does"
at was certainly a most unwarranted
insult" added the girl. II always thought
you would resent such thing"
II would have resented it." said Jack,
eff he had said 1t In English. How was
I to know? Hello, this is Eighteenth
street and Fmust get off. I've got an en-
gagement with my dentist. No. can't
go any farther. Well. goodby; see you
soon." and as he disappeared out of the
door the young woman and Tom laughed
to make up for lost time. and so did the
other pasengers.-Ncw York Sun.