New-York tribune., 1907-07-28
A DISASTROUS EXPERIENCE.

A DISASTROUS EXPERIENCE.
81 had 10 learn lot" laughed a young chate
laine. "Win and I built home IN a new resi-
dence park where things We're still in a some
what inchoate state. OF course. the first thing
we did was 10 invite out a number OF friends TO
our new home and make the Weekend lively
They were to arrive on Saturday morning ana
remain until Monday. our horses We're still IN
town. but had brought out q motor and
thought We could with cards. rides and walks
through the beautiful country make the hours
pass very pleasantly. Things went we'll until
the last course at luncheon came in cold and the
waitress looked at with anxious air.
at once concluded that something dreadful had
happened 10 cook, and could hardly conclude the
meal before hurrying out to learn what it was
My mind was scarcely relieved at the sight OF
cook standing whole and we'll in her kitchen for
her face wore a sCowl that spelled disaster to my
first house party. The gas : gone out. ma'am.
she stated, pointing dramatically at the gas
range. \ coal range had not yet been put in.
! as there had been no intention 70 use one until
cold weather There's nothing 10 cook the
dinner on
II gasped. If she had slipped ton Of ice down
my collar I could not have felt more shocked.
Presently my mind recovered itself It will be
turned again l assured her You know.
they are building all about the place. Perhaps
they've turned of the gas for a while and by
evening II will be all right again Ny own
spirits rose at this declaration. but cook only
shook her head gloomily and remarked that
the day was Saturday and half holiday in that
part of the earth
II would have been able to treat the matter
lightly at least until dark, had not Sally. the
maid. appeared every now and then during our
afternoon bridge and. as she handed about cool
ing drinks handed me. with the glass, such
gloomy shakes OF the head and tragic glances
that became quite demorazed and lost all
my bridge allowance before the game was over
Cook and l held Il conference while the wom-
en- prepared themselves to accompany me down
to the train to meet my husband and his men
friends. No gas was in sight. There wasn't a
candle in the house lamp in the place.
Cook decided to ask neghbor TO allow her to
cook our dinner on their range. My guests col
lected on the porch, but l did not join them
until cook returned with the cheering news that
we might have cooking done elsewhere. If
there something to eat at least a little
codness would not matter. Our back porch was
converted into dining ROOM There would be
/ enough light to begin dinner with and we did
not try to think how would conclude the
I meal in the dark
Nobody knew of the predicament until the
middle of the dinner. when Tom asked for q
light. looked at Sally beseechingIy She shook
her head. | explained the shake TO Tom: The
gas turned off to-day in the park and we
haven't a light in the house. My voice failed
me ut the expression on the faces of my guests
L thought l continued weakly, that some of
you would take the automobile and get lamps
or candles somewhere. Several of the party
agreed to this, and they suggested that we might
use the motor lamps for Illuminating purposes
Presently one of them was hanging over our
half cold dinner, while later another served
to light our game of bridge. Candles arrived
later and our guests made good deal Of fun
over the incident whatever they may have felt
at the fare they received-for we did not want
to monOpolze a neghbors kitchen more than
was absolutely necessary-and over the absence
of the various comforts with which light and
heat furnish house. We now have big coal
range installed and supply of lamps for the
entire house. II electric wires gas pipes are
blocked up would not suffer n moments in
convenience"
Next 10 seeing your friends" queried Mrs r
don't any of you ever visit place because OF
some special attraction which II possesses aside
from the people meets? I visit one place
because they have the most delicious waffies for
Lraakfast that / ever tasted