The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-24

to me. and remains so to this day. a
distinctly bad two francs and from a
quarter of pound to six ounces OF
confines, as change for a twenty franc
note, after deducting the price of a cup
of coffee. He put it down with the air
of one subscribing to a charity. We
looked at one another. [ suppose I
must have conveyed to him the i'm
preston of being discontinued. He
drew a purse from his pocket The ac-
ton suggested that, for the purpose OF
satisfying my inordinate demands, he
would be compelled to draw upon his
private resources; but it did not move
me. Abstracting reluctantly fifty
centime piece he added to it the heap
upon the table. I suggested his taking
a seat, as at this rate it seemed likely
we should be doing business together
for some time. 1 think he gathered
was not fool. Hitherto he had been
judging I suppose. purely from appear
ances. But he was not in the least Of
Tended All he cried, with a CHEEKY
laugh, Monsieur comprehend" He
swept the whole nonsense back into his
bag, and gave me the right change. I
slipped my arm through his and in
sisted upon the pleasure of his society,"
until had examined each and every
coin He went away chuckling and
| told another waiter all about it. They
1 both of them bowed to me as went
out, and wished me a pleasant journey.
I left them still chuckling. A British
waiter would have been sulky all the
afternoon. The waiter who insists
/ upon nistaking you for the heir Of an
/ the Rothchilds used to cost me dear
/ when 1 was younger. I find the best
] plan is to take him in hand at the be-
1 ginning and disillusion him. He signs
when you sweep aside his talk Of "a
/ Perrier Jouet followed by '79 Chatea1,
lLafite, and ask him If, as man to man
/ he can conscientiously recommend the
Saint Julien at two and six. But the
{ FarT DO
bearing has deceived him. You are
not to be blamed for POSSESSING an
aristocratic bearing
The fatherly waiter is sometimes a
comfort. You feel that he knows best.
] Your instinct is to address him az
] Uncle" But you remember Yourself
4 in time When you are dining Iasy
and wish to appear important, he is ant
/ to be IN the way. It seems, somehow.
to be his dinner. You have sense a l.
most of being de trop. The ascetie
waiter is q distinct damper He is an
I ntellectual-looking man. At the bottom
Of my heart agree with him. There is
! when you come 10 think of It souefbgr1er
very gross, very animal, in these pro
! louged gorges OF food and drink Why
! don't we live palmer and think higher?
But he is out of place in a restaurant
The greatest insult Won can OFFER a
waiter is to mistake him for your wait
! er. YOu think he is your waiter-there
4 Is the bald head, the black side Wfis-
bers, the Roman nose. But your waiter
| had blue eyes this man soft hazel You
1 had forgotten to notice the eyes You
| bar his progress and ask him for the
red pepper. The kaughty CONTEMPT
with which he regards you Is painful to
( bear. It is as If you had insulted a
lady. He appears to be saying the same
thing: It think you have made a mis-
take. You are possibly confusing me-
/ with sorneb body else; Z have not tia
honor Of your acquaintance. I de not
/ wish it to be understood that I am In
the habit Of insulting ladies, but oc-
I casionally have made an innocent mis-
I take, and have met with some such re-
Spouse. The wrong waiter conveys to
me precisely the same feeling of hun1iIi-
alton Il viii send your waiter to you, -
he answers. His tone implies that there
are walters and walters; some may not
mind what class of person they serve
! others, though poor, have their self-re-
spect- Tt is clear to you now why your
man IS ashamed Of being your waiter
He is watching probably for an oppor
tunity to approach you when nobody 4
+ you He was hiding behind a screen.
Table forty two wants you" the otnei
! waiter tells him. The tone Of voice adds.
IF you ike TO encourage this class of
! customer. that is your business. but
don't ask me to have anything to DO
with him, that's ALL"
Even the waiter has his feelings.
JEROME K. JEROME.
----.-
Mrs. Buggins-Oh, I saw the dearest
little hat today