Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1908-05-28
= E G II E T
S E RVICE
BY j. Q. PLUNTMER
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOC

Johann Durm's public house stood
on one of three corners where Parker
street reaches the water side and
Comstock's wharf begins. II a vessel
came well up the wharf one might
stand in Durm's window and leap on
to her jib boom.
For years Dul4l had enjoyed a
monopoly of the three corners, but
Iatterly the northeast corner had been
fitted up as a saloon and in pretentious
gilt letters displayed the sign Fritz
Hoffman, Restauration."
Alongside of the door hung a board
painted black on which, in letters of
chalk, Hoffman announced that free
lunch was set out each day between
noon and one D. m. On this particu-
lar day the menu announced was pork
and sauer kraut.
Free lunches were an innovation in
that neighborhood and Durm, whose
counter never had offered more than
saucer full of dry crackers as solid
refreshment to the customer, waxed
indignant.
1T was foolishness," he stormed;
grocer give me sugar NIT? 1t was
foolishness and he will money lose"
But since Hoffman had begun with
his lunches Durm's business had de-
clined and it smarted him. He could
readily have given a lunch but his
pride forbade and then he was mean.
Frau Durm urged capitulation to ex-
listing conditions.
IF we give a lunch now always
must we give it?" groaned her hus-
band. IF this fool his money loses
and shuts up our business will come
back. He must his money lose. No
man can give away his profits. We
will wait"
While they stood behind their
empty bar and talked Hoffman, a rosy
checked young German, came out
erased the lunch announcement and
substituted the words, German Cook
Wanted"
He wants a cook" remarked Frau
Durm.
"Donnerwetter let him want"
grunted her husband.
'Frederika comes tonight from New
York" continued Frau Durm, musing-
ly, she might take the place"
ia wohl," cried Herr Durm. SCOT
fingly, I'VE send to Germany for our
niece to cook for us and give her to a
man who our business ruins. That
would be colossal"
BE still and listen" said Frau
Durm, caustically. Suppose she gets
the place and finds out how much
meat and vegetables he buys for the
lunch and what they cost Suppose
she finds out how much beer and whis-
ky he sells can we not find out IL he
money makes or loses? Then we will
know what to do"
Her husband was interested.
IF so he money loses he will quick
close down and we can wait. II he
money makes we must also give a
lunch," continued Frau Durm.
1T was gut" and Herr Durm nod
ded, ponderously, approvingly.
Frederika arrived the next day at
dusk and was smuggled into the back
door of the Durm domicile. Frau Durm
carefully coached her during the eve
ming and at early morn she secretly
left the house and applied for the
vacancy at Hoffman's. The Durms
watched for results from their win
dows.
Presently a butcher wagon STONED
in front OF Hoffmans and the pro
prietor came out With him came
Frederika, sleeves rolled up and be-
aproned. They gravely inspected the
meat,
she has the place." exclaimed
Frau Durm. exultingly.
1T was gut" commented her hus-
band
When night came Frederick tapped
at the kitchen door of the Durm
house and was admitted. She talked
volubly but was inclined to dilate on
subjects not germane to her mission.
She wanted to talk about Herr Hoff-
mans mother who was not entirely
well and therefore needed an assist
ant in the kitchen. She also wanted
to describe the furnishing OF the
kitchen, the various utensils, the
methods of cooking used, ETC., but
Frau Durm cut her short and brought
her to the subject at issue.
Then Frederika proved herself a
most dutifql emmissary. She pro-
duced sheets OF paper on which she
mad Jotted down in queer little figures
the quantities of meat and vegetables
bought, their cost and also the num-
Der of glasses of beer, whisky and
kimmel sold. This batch of data she
lay triumphantly before Herr Durm.
But her uncle was upappreciative.
He looked at the figures, gasped, swal-
lowed a glass OF beer and then swore.
"Donnerwetter, l make nothing of
these figures" he said.
Frau Durm looked at them with cor
rugated brow and shook her head.
However, resourceful woman that she
was, she saw an opening.
We must send for Onkel Carl" she
said. with decision.
Onkel Carl was a relative of the
Durms For short period. in his ma
tive Hamburg he had kept books for