Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-07-06
An Embarrassing
Luncheon

n have taken luncheon together ones
week for some months past, and al
though Dutch treat" has been the rule
of their financial intercourse mutual
help occasionally has been extended
between all three members OF the
group. Wherefore came about the en-
barassing situation in which the trio
was placed last week
AS luck would have it, they chose q
new place of meeting for that unhappy
Monday, and Alice, who was first at
the trysting ground, refrained from or
dering until she was ashamed to hold
q table longer. She had nearly finish
ed her meal, when Marchesa hurried
in. breathless with haste and the tale
of her unexpected detainment. Alice
had a second cup of coffee in order to
remain with Marchesa. The two shared
salad with similar interest after 1en'
MES still more tardy arrival.
"I'm in luck to find you two still
here" laughed Jennie, studying the
bill of fare, for this place seems to be
pretty expensive and"
A delighted duo Of admiring excia-
nations greeted the first glimpse OF
Jennie's new blouse, and the resigned
looking waiter visibly gathered new
"patience wrinkles" as the moments
passed. At last Alice saw him and re-
called Jennie's attention.
"Oh, dear" sighed the latter, begin
ming afresh Il haven't the least idea
what to orderl Everything that looks
good is SO expensive and the things
that aren't expensive don't appeal to
me at ALL"
"Oh, we'll! Order something, f9r
goodness sake" Alice adjured her, sud
denly cgnscience-stricken. "Here, I'll
order for you, Chicken salad, coffee
and a pineapple ice," she directed the
waiter, who started into grateful life
at the word. Stay. you may bring us
an ice all round"
We've held this table most an hour
and they don't know us here" she ex-
planned to the others as the waiter de-
parted. TT doesn't seem right not to
keep eating 50 long as We keep four
chairs.R
swell, hope" began Jessie and
Marchesa simultaneously, but Alice
was not listening. A stylish young
woman had entered and was walking
toward them. Alice finally succeeded
In attracting her atteAtio#,
"It's Mary Graham" she cried, as
the others turned IN Rmazement, "and
not one of us has seen her since she
came back from her wedding trip. I'm
going to make her sit down right
here"
The newcomer couldn't do this, be-
cause her new husband was waiting
for her on the opposite side Of the
room. But she fingered to chat few
moments, and the others talked ABOUT
her until the last Of the ices had dis
appeared. Then Jennie, drawing on
her gloves with the leisurely air Of a
satisfied appetite, lightly flicked her
check over toward the others.
I'm not particular which of yeq
sweet creatures pays for my luncheon"
she smiled, $50 long as You don't quar-
rel over the privilege, But one Of YOU
must pay for 1t. because nay pocket
book Is all but empty, and l don't get
paid until after luncheon Tomorrow, |
really think you ought to look after
me to-day. Alice, because you would
have me order such an expensive
meal"
but l don't believe I've more than a
quarter" gasped Alice, beginning a
frantic search Of all the side pockets
and receptacles in her bag. Il only
ordered your luncheon because you
wouldn't order 1t yourself, and we'd
waited so long for you. That's why
/ had the ice, too, and ordered one for
Marchesa. | was going to ask you to
pay for my ice for that matter.
thought you got paid to-day"
81 do get paid on Monday usually"
cNpldlueU -Luc uAoIA SoSOu 3OhA4Sg DNS
the new rule about paying on Tuesday
goes into effect this week. meant
to ask one of yeu girls TO pay for my
luncheon in the first plscs. How about
you, Marehesa3"
"I've--I think I've got q dollar,
sighed Marchesa, also distressed and
breathless, but I've go1to take dinnel
downtown tonight, and keep car fare
for tomorrow morning. I'm not Sc
fortunate as you girls; | have nc
mother to lend me car fare. And 1
won't get my salary until tomorrow
night"
"And then it'll be check and YOU
can't cash it until the next day.
froaned Alice: with sympathetic cen'
crehenslon. sWell-nobody knows ui
here, so we can't ask them to trust US