The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-05-09
THEY CALL THEM SOUVENIRS.


The first instance on record of tn,
taking of a trihe as a remembrance o
a sojourn is contained in the story O
Adam and Eve after they received
their dispossess notice.
They were going sorrowfully ou
of the garden, Eve weeping, and or
reaching the gate that was to close
behind them forever "she put forth
her hand and broke branch from &
rose tree that grew against the wall. y
These roses were immortal and ol
course descended from mother tc
daughter through many generations
Human nature is about the same ir
all countries and in all ages so il
may be imagined how that story oi
ejectment was modified as time
went on.
Not only was the souvenir be-
queathed and with it the ability to tell
good and plausible story about it,
but there also came down along the
lines of Ewes descendants banker
ing after other souvenirs than the i'm
mortal roses. This trait of humanity
was forcibly brought to mind few
months ago the bankruptcy of the
caterer who managed the Pince Henry
banquet. He was ruined, not by the
failure of people to pay for their
tickets, but simply and solely by the
uncontrolled desire of the guests to
secure silver souvenirs of the occa-
sion.
Many women can register their
goings about for years by pieces of
silver, cut glass, table napkins and
towels picked up on the quiet at hotels
where they have put up and even at
teef-enrna6Ieuer,de ---,-----
These things are not taken because
they are needed. To take them is
usually considered a joke, and women
will compare notes and grow hilarious
over their trophies in the presence of
servants.
Of course the things are used.
Towels and napkins with the names
of the original owner woven into the
linen are displayed without thought
of there being anything criminal in
the possession of them. Silver, too,
engraved with the name of the hotel
or the friend, is used without reserve,
and frequently these souvenirs are
evidence of the pace at which the pill
ferer can afford to live.
And yet, if the woman owning a
hundred silver souvenirs suspects her
servant of secreting a soiled ribbon
picked up in boudoir or sleeping
room, or of putting up luncheon for
her "cousin" in huckaback towel,
there is war in the interior, and a
calling for an inventory in the lower
part of the house.
An instance of this sort came to
the surface in a series of denouments
and the whole play was witnessed by
an unexpected caller. Said caller was
let into the house by the cook and in.
vited to "go right upstairs to the
parlor floor as she guessed "the Mis-
sus was busy"
At the head of the stairs the caller
was met by the mistress herself who
showed signs Of excitement.
"Oh, it's you,' she said. %
thought it might be somebody else
somebody I've telephoned for. Come
in here and wait minute" leading
the way into the dining room.
There, against the magnificent side
board leaned one servant girl, and by
the door leading into the butler's pan
try slouched another. Both were
flushed of face, fiery of eye, and eithel
sullen or defiant, the caller could no
decide which. The mistress was alst
flushed and fiery and apparently in {
like state of mind.
When the caller was seated th'
hostess said
"I'm so glad you happened in.
have a very disagreeable matter il
hand, and your presence will be pro
| lection"
She was interrupted by startling
peal of the bell. A mans voice wa.
heard at the door, and then the cool
said go right upstairs, the Missu
is busy"
Tramp, tramp, tramp, came heav,
foot on the stairs and the mistres
stood at the door to meet man tina
the first caller would not have sus
pected of being on the visiting list @
the house. He turned back his coat
and showed in fash the badge tina
told his business.
ooh, yes, understand" said tn
lady of the house. ''You came i
answer to my telephone. Come in
the girls are here, and if they'll Civ
up the things that I know they'v
got in their trunks, you needn't al
rest them"
The man opened his mouth t
speak, but before he could form
word tie girl leaning against the side
board pulled open drawer, and wit
a great rafting, filled both hand
with table silver, and threw the 10
with a crash, on the Flemish GA
board in the centre of the room, say
ing:
can, Mr.. Plain Clothes Man, ju!
take a look at that will Ye. IT