The National tribune., 1903-09-10

ont a new dish, or composing a soup
like dis. See. it is joost like wine. But
1 must say, it don't taste as gOot as dat
pean soup you gif me down derc on de
panks of the Dennessee. when I come
in starved until | vhas almost too faint
to walk. Recollecty'
And he and the boys let even that fine
soup cool while they reminiscenced on that
PARKWAY time, when Rosenbaum had es-
capped hanging as spy only by MIR
acle and his own activity and GOODNESS.
Maria paid little attention to the recital
and the memories. Woman-like, she had
only eyes for the table, the room, the
food, and the manner of serving. She was
trying to take it all in at once, and i'm
print every detail upon her mind so
that she could never forget it. She and
Anna bel were telegraphing with their eyes
and fingers across the freshet of ANNA ted
talk that flowed between Rosenbaum and
the boys. and through which it was almost
hopeless for them to get word.
They wanted to study the finely-orna-
mented sOup-plates, but the walters
whisked them away from under their eyes.
The stately Robinson was ostentatiously
wiping the cobwebs from an old bottle,
uncorking it, and placing small, slender
glasses by each plate. Maria instantly
took alarm. She looked sternly at the
glass set by her plate, showed it away as
if it was a venomous thing, and gave
Shorty such an unmistakable look that
he did the same. Annabel. who had been
as usual. taking her cue from Maria, fol-
lowed her example, and 81 pushed his
glass away and shook his head at Sol
ONION Rosenbaum.
What, no wine. NIT such dinner as
dis? exclaimed Rosenbaum, in deepest
distress. No wine init your flesh? And
dat is 1915 sherry-comet year-dat !
ordered especially for you? See dis pot
| tle?"
wine is q mocker. Strong drink is
raging. Woe to him who putteth the cup
to his neighbours lips" said Maria SEN
tentiously.
She might be dazed, but no amount of
gliding and ornament could hide the drink
demon to eyes keen for Shorty's welfare.
And l hat some off de vinest clarets
| and champagnes dat vas effer bottled"
groaned Rosenbaum. Imported dem my
self. Vriend off mine bought them espe-
cially for me-"
"Sorry, Sol; but you know that we're
all strict teetotalers," said 81: '.YOur din
ner is just as fine without the wines"
Ever SO much better without them, "
said Maria emphatically. "Why, Mr..
Rosenbaum, everything is perfectly splen-
did"
Eyes, indeed, it is" cooed Annabel, be-
ginning to see light through an awkward
situation. Its just lovely beyond words"
take it away, Robinson" said Rosen-
baum resignedly, and RobinsOn's face did
not conceal his low opinion of diners who
would refuse such wine as he was about
to offer.
which dere can pc no dispute" said Rosen-
baum, as the walters brought in large
Mo flor OarnichaJ arnuud tho od1oc with
greens. In the center was a bit of badly
charred board on which was spiked the
body Of a fish. "Dis is BANKED shad-
the vinest fish what shwims. None of your
greasy Mississippi catfish about dat. 1t
joost melts in your mouth, like straw
berry or whipped cream, only hundredt
dimes better. My, o my, but dis is nice"
1T certainly is" said Maria, after tast-
ing a mouthful. Gracious, angel food
give me piece from q part that isn't
so bony."
81 and Shorty laughed loudly.
'Well, Sis, you've let out that you're
from Injianny, and don't know anything
of shad," said 81. 1.-The only thing that's
bonner than shad is a fine-tooth comb
The bones are the price you pay for hav-
ing such good thing as planked shad."
'The story is that when the Lord was
Trying 10 Ludhe SUule supremacy SOOO
things for man." said Shorty, "the Devil
sneaked around and tried to spoil them
The Lord made shad, and it was so
good that the Devil had to hustle around
to gather up bones to spoil it. Then the
Lord made a strawberry, and the Devil
was hot, for he had used all his bones on
the shad."
II think it's heap better than straw
berry, even with the bones" said Maria,
being helped to another piece. Gracious
amt it delicate! But always want cof-
fee to drink when l eat fish. Mister,
please get me cup Of coffee"
The stately Robinson, whom she ad-
dressed. had evidently expected some such
"break" from such common" people, and
answered majestieally:
"The coffee will be served after awhile,
Madam"
But the spell of his mighty presence had
been broken for that self-willed young
lady. She did not care what the cOnven-