The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

sense, but he is-well, headstrong. I told YOU he used to be a steel worker. He doesn't talk much and he appears sort of morbid, but he has heart as big as an OK, and when he gets to like man he Is the soul of good nature. We've talked to him so much about the restau- rant business that I've got him warmed up to 1t. He pictures himself sitting IA A big chair looking the house over or taking in the cash and figuring that every dollar means so and so much prof 1t to him. You know how that is, don't your
 .Indeed I do," said MT. Flodden hearth | ly 'Im glad you told me that about MT. Honan. We'll have to make him feel | perfectly at home here. Now, if youH | start coming tomorrow I'll consider that our negotiations are on and I'll pay no attention to any other offers made to me-"
 Mr. Harper promised to go to MT. Hon. an at once After discussing the matter with him. he would telephone the de- cision to MT. Flodden.
 An hour later MT. F'lodden had tele- phone cal and he smiled all the rest of | the day.
 MT. Flodden, after shaking hands with | Mir. Honan next day and expressing his great pleasure insmeet ing him, had reason | to think MT. Harper's designation of the steel worker as peculiar was correct. MT. Flodden had asked if MT. Honan would drink to their better acquaintance, and Mr Honan had promptly said Sure" " but a moment later had disgustedy said, Nav, I guess not
 1 Mr. Harper, who had touched Hr. Ho- nan on the arm when he said Sure. V explained that MT. Honan formerly had taken his share of liquor,- but recently had become an ardent water wagoner. MT. Honan scowled as he confirmed Mir. | Harpers statement.
 It was evident to MT. Flodden, shrewd student of men, that MT. liar i per had all the brains of the two men, despite all the little fellow said in praise of the other. MT. Honan was of Herculean proportions and rather sav- | age appearance. He was dressed fair ly well, but was III at ease and evil dently suspicious of his surroundings. Mir. Flodden earned his gratitude by | suggesting he occupy a big, comfort able leather chair within the cashier s booth. Mr. Honan sat there and smok- ed The safe, which stood open near | by seemed to fascinate him. Occa- sionally he glanced up at the cashier | and watched her make change. Then | MT. Honan would look at the safe | some more and puff hard at his cigar.
 Mr. Flodden had told MT Honan to make himself thoroughly at home, to
 help himself to the best cigars, to re- lieve the cashier if he desired practice | in money changing, and to do just as he
 pleased. MT. Honan did as suggested
 about the cigars, but it was not until 1 the cashier, with whom MT. Flodden had a whispered conversation, ask eJ 1 him several times that he try his hand | at her job. He was very awkward and fustered, and soon called on the 1 girl to resume her work.
 It was surprising how large a patron age Flodden's restaurant enjoyed consid' cring its comparative newness. Mir. liar per was delighted. So was MT. Flodden who seemed to have won the regard o many persons for now and then gentle man, after eating, stopped to tell MT | Flodden how pleased he was with hi:
 meal and to assure him he would recon
 mend the house to all his friends.
 Mr. Flcdden was radiant as the Wees
 progressed Each succeeding day show
 ed a handsome increase in receipts. MT
 Harper made himself useful in man,
 ways and Mir Honan only left the fac
 tinating safe long enough to eat som
 enormous meals.
 On Saturday night the place was crow ed. The diners sat long after they ha
 finished their meals, and there was
 tot of champagne ordered The orchestr
 was good, and when popular airs wer played the crowd joined in the singing
 Mr. Flodden was congratulated over an over by patrons, all of whom ordere
 more to drink and more to smoke a
 proof of their regard for him and hi house. But the crowd of Saturday nigh
 was surpassed by that of Sunday nigh There were not enough chairs to accon , modate ali, and hurry order had |
 be issued for a supply from some piac near by, The people did not seem | mind it when the kitchen could not fl their demands. In their good nature the , | ordered drinlSables to make up the dc , ficiency in eatabes.
 At 1o:30 o'clock MT. Harper, who ha , been complaining of a headache. said h , was going out for a few minutes Tor , little fresh air. little later MT. Hona , surprised the, cashier by saying he woui
 relieve her for 10 minutes. There wa I plenty for him to do for the patrons pai l their bills with surprising promptnes 7 and instead of departing when they st
 their change, remained and ordered mof stuff.
 When the cashier returned MT. Hona did not resume his seat. but wandere I out onto the floor and slowly made h i. way to the door. No one noticed his d' $ parture When he opened the door r r glanced. toward the curb. There was 8 taxicab standing there. The door wf ! ajar He stepped within. the car, M ' Harper said "Al right to the chaunel
 and away sped the taxi.
 b It was a strange course that taxlca . took Up the West Side and over in' n the Bronx, then across that borough an
 down back to Manhattan and throuR : Second avenue it went For the first te NTr II Ix