Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-01-19

coin. but we would draw toothpicks or
straws or something to decide who
was To pay Tor the meal. The winner
would get W and bid goodby TO his
friend, whom he would leave with the
check and the prospect OF the pen.
OF course The tling was hardly honest,
but can only plead that | was very
hungry indeed We went III.
or all the dinners | have ever eaten
In my life | think | enjoyed that one
most We turael up our noses at the
regular table dhota and ordered law
ishly from the card. beginning with Il
clear soup and working down to the
coffee By gradual ana thoroughly de-
llghtfu stages. We did not 20 in heay-
ily for wines, but contented ourselves
each with modest pint of Il hne old
burgundy that when opened perfum-
ed all its surroundings with the deli
cious aroma Of its long imprisoned
southern sunshine. AS | ordered ii |
noticed that tie walters "Bien, mon
seur." was more heartfelt than usual
and that his respect for me had risen
immensely. 1t cost just little more
than double the price of champagne.
but that did not weigh with either OF
us. We were like multimillionaires in
one respective could not afford to de-
ny ourselves anything we fancied.
We did not carry on much CONVEX
satlon, as the dinner was solemn af-
fair but my companion led me out a
little on my past record and my pros
poets for the future. | told him the
truth--that | had come to New York
with high hopes Of establishing myself
in the practice Of consulting engi-
neer: that | had met with some success
In the practical part of my profession
in the west. but that my fame did not
seem to have reached New York, and
that, dollar by dollar. | had seen all OF
my little capital eaten up In the ex-
penses of living. Pride had made me
keep up the fight. OF himself my com
panion told nothing.
The old song says that "the best Of
friends must part" Everything comes
to an end, and by and by we could eat
no more. In unspokcn desire to post
pone the inevitable we fingered long
over coffee and then over brandy and
couple of excellent cigars. 1t was
pitch dark by now. and from where we
were sitting we could see the trees of
the square standing up as long black
shadows and the lights OF numberless
hansoms patroling Fifth avenue.
Then we looked ut each other, and
my new found acquaintance took two
toothpicks in his hand, broke the end
off one OF them, shuiiied them to-
gether and extended his hand toward
me. the even ends Of the toothpicks
Just showing. At random chose one;
he opened the hand. and had won.
The waiter had watched the whole
proceeding in some little amusement
and was lowering in the neighborhood
with the check; therefore | could not
show my relief. But | could not help
looking my friend squarely In the eye
and noting that he was game loser.
Not by the CULVER of lash did he be-
token anything amiss.
~ guess III have to pay this" he
Think I'll sit here and smoke fresh
cigar"
1t was very well done, but I said
something about having an engage
ment at the Waldorf and waved aside
the walters offer to call me cab. AT
the door | turned around 10 catch one
more glimpse at my late vis-a-vis. He
was laughing and beckoned me to come
back. / went out of curiosity.
Here, Pierre" he called to the wait
er. you know me, don't you?
"Certainement monsieur Nous etes
NJ. Gramercy.'
And | am good for the price of II
dinner or twoW
"Mals. oui monsieur; thousand
times"
Then for goodness sake, young
man, sit down. he said motioninG me
to my chair. "Do you know who am
now"
| had seen his picture often enough
In the newspapers ana elsewhere. |
do not know why | had not recognized
| Gle and we'll known to the general pub
| lie because of his wealth and eccentric
! tiles. though had never seen him be-
| fore in the flesh
Young man" he said. II like your
| gamcncss. You never turned a hair
| when we drew StrawS. or. rather. tooth
| picks. TO see which of us was going to
| the penitentiary. think you will do.
! seem to have heard your name before
somewhere"
Il have the honor to be engaged TO
I your niece" | said quietly.
Exactly. Wei, you cant very we'll
| get married until you get job of some
| kind, SO | suppose you might as we'll
| go TO work for ME. \ young man with
your nerve can always be made useful.
| Pierre. you will find my auto on the
| Broadway side Have il brought
| around TO the Twenty street en-
trance. Ny friend is going home with
me"