Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-04
Hendricks Is Host

| CHAPTER XVII.
Hendricks Is Host.
you are going to spend" Hendricks
declared, "a democratic evening. You
are going to mix with common folk.
Tonight we shall drink no champagne
at forty frances the bottle. On the other
hand, we shall probably drink great
deal more beer than is good for us:
How do you find the atmosphere here?'
Filthy"
II was afraid you might notice it,"
Hendricks remarked. Never mind, pre-
sently, you Will forget it, You have
never been here before. presume?"
IT have not" Julien agreed. "Hdare-
say / shall find it interesting. You
wouldn't describe it as quiet, would
tyou2"
zone does not eat quietly here Ken
bricks replied. -Four hundred peopIe,
mostly Germans. when they eat are
never silent. The service of four hun
bred dinners continues at the same
time Listen to them. Close your eyes
/ and you will appreciate the true music
of crockery."
IF that Internal. little band would
keep quiet" Julien grumbled, zone
might hear oneself talk!'
Let us have no more criticisms
/ hGnuLlChS UNSkGQ ODlSnL YOU al =
of the working class You may per-
haps be a small manufacturer, the
agent of a manufacturing firm in the
country, a clerk with a moderate sala-
~, or a mechanic in his best clothes.
Remember that and do not complain Of
! the music. You do not hear it every
day. Let us hear no more blase speech
es, if you please. God! The
dinner arrives. We dine here, my
friend, for two francs. You will prob
ably require another hand, you may
/ feel that you never require another
meal as long as you live. That is a
matter of luck. In any case, you had
better squeeze a little further up.
/ Madame and her two daughters are
/ going to sit next to you, and opposite
there will be monsieur. and 1 judge the
fiance of one of the young ladies. 1t
will be family party. If there is any
thing in that dish of hors doeuvres
which you fancy particularly, help
yourself quickly. In a moment or two
there will be no opportunity"
The two men were seated Apostle
one another at a long table in a huge
poplar restaurant in the heart of the
city 1t was Kendick's plan-Kendricks
in fact, had insisted upon it.
you know. my lear Julien" he con-
! tinued, a certain education is neces-
/ SdfX TOT you. II only L ild0 q lulu
more time I should be invaluable. You
have taken all your life too narrow a
view That wretched Elton training
You, would have been better off at a
/ boarding school We, all should"
You were at Winchester yourself,
Julien reminded him, trying some of the
bread and approving of it.
For a short time only" Hendricks
admitted. land then you forget the
-. ID Enn
| ways Oh, know my people. / know
the common people of America and Eng
land and France and Germany. 1 know
them and love them. love the middle
classes, too, the honestly vulgar, hon
estIy snobbish, foolishly ambitious, yet
over-cautious middle class. The ex-
| IRENE types of every nation lose their
racial individuality. You find the true
thing only among the bourgeoisie Oh,
If I only knew whether these people,
he added, understood English!'
"You must not risk it," Julien warn
ed him. Madame has already her eye
upon you" ~t
"As a possible sutton for that unmat-
| ed daughter on her right, 1 suspect"
Hendricks declared. THE young lady
has looked at me twice and down at
her plate. Julien, you must change
places"
/ snail 10 nOlnlhS VI TIC SOAN
torted Julien.
eff ingratiate myself with this fam
lily and trouble comes Of it." Hendricks
continued, the fault will be yours.
Madame" he added, standing up and
bowling, will you permit me?"
Madame had been looking at the
bread. Hendricks gallantly offered 1T.
Madame's bows and smiles were a thing
delightful to behold. Mademoiselle, too,
4 A-T-- en-
kind. When Hendricks sat down again,
the way was paved for general con-
versation. Julien, however, practically
buttonholed his friend.
"Kendricks," he said, you have told
me nothing about England"
There is little to tell,'' Hendricks re-
piled. THE little there is will filter
from me during the evening. We are
spending a long evening together. you
know, Julien"
Heavens alive!" Julien groaned. Il
am not sure that am strong enough
Eat that SOUP" Hendricks advised
him. THAT, at least is sustaining
Never mind stirring it up to see what
vegetables are at the bottom. Take my
word for il, il is good. And leave the
pepper-pot alone. How the people crowd
in! You perceive the commercial trav-
eler with a customer? How they talk
facing you puzzles me. I wish could
know the occupation Of our neighDors
am curious"
81 should ask them" Julien suggested
dryly.
"An ideaw Hendricks assented ap-
provingly. Let us wait until they have
drunk the free wine You understand
my dear Julien, that you pay nothing
for that flask which stands by your
side? 1t comes with the dinner. 1t is
free"
} Julien helped himself, and slipped ii
thoughtfully.
AT least" he murmured, as he SET
his glass down, lone is thankful that
we do not pay for it!'
There are some" Hendricks remark
ed, who prefer beer. Personally, like
to preserve my local color. Vim ordin-