Evening star., 1909-07-05
.FlNOS-LOnG LOST SON At TEA
NEVADA WOMAN DISCOVERS
HIM AS CAFE WAITER
Youth Mourned as Dead Sought For
tune East-Chance Meeting Means
Return to Wealth.

NEW YORK, July Mrs. Robert III.
Eurnham Of Reno. New, and several
friends dropped into the Hotel Astor for
afternoon tea. The party was assigned
TO table by the head waiter. and nice
looking young waiter was directed TO take
their order.
AS tho waiter came across TIE room
Mrs. Burnham thought she recognized
something familiar about the manner In
which he walked. but as he wore a mus
tache. French fashion, and slight i'm
perial, she was not at all certain that
she had seen him before. Ii the waiter
recognized her he failed to give any sign
OF II as he approached the table and
stood, book in hand, to take the order.
But when Mrs. Burnham got good look
mt him she recognized in him her son,
who had left home several years ago and
of. whom no tidings had been received
since.
Avoided a Scene.
Mrs Burnham did not care 10 make a
mistake and create a scene In the din
ing room, SO with the others she calmly
ordered what she wanted. Tho waiter
went away. AS soon as he was out Of
sight Mrs. Burnham signaled to the head
waiter and he went to her.
What Is the name of that wattcr?''
she asked.
Roberts. madam be replied.
Are you quite sureo" asked Mrs. Burn
ham. doubtfully.
Yes. madam: his name is Eurniam
Roberts, and he has been here d year. L
consider him one Of our best walters
As soon as the meal was served Rob
erts'' took his station nearby to await
further orders, and Mrs. Burnham kept
~ lit
too, began to get nervous to such an ex-
tent that her friends commented on It.
Mother Nearly Overcome.
Finally she found herself compelled to
leave the table and go to a retiring room.
Once there she lost no time in sending
for one Of the assistant managers. Mr..
Snyder responded.
'There Is waiter. serving us In the
palnoroom who is either my son, whom
l have not seen for years, or elses he is
come out here and let me speak with
him. said Mrs. Burnham, very much agi-
tated.
Mr.. Snyder complied witt, the request
and Roberts was sent for. He had
hardly entered the door OF the room In
which Mrs Burnham was waiting before
his calm demeanor gave way TO one OF
great excitement. He rushed ur to Mrs.
Burrham, crying Mother" and this re-
moved all doubts Her mother instinct
had proved not untrue and she had again
in her arms the boy she had been mourn
ing as dead.
Pride Kept Sons Tongue Still.
Young Burnham had come east to seek
his fortune In Wall street He had been
plentifully supplied with money by indul-
gent parents, and for time he lived q
gay life. He wrote home with some regu-
larity at first, then his letters became
fewer and fewer, until they ceased en-
tirely.
With the end of his money went the last
OF his friends. Finally q waiter who had
served him many expensive suppers IN
q. restaurant near Broadway obtained a
place for him At the Hotel -Astor. Pride
kept him from letting his family know
what he was doing.
In the meantime his father died, leaving
a large estate. His mother made every
effort to find him for months, but without
avail.
Il am more than delighted to find my
boy, as I had given him up for dead.
she said. Now we shall go home as soon
as we can get there. and Robert will take
charge OF the ranch and make man of
himself. I am told that he Is popular
with his employers. and as he has the
right stuff in him I know he will do all
that he should have done years ago."