Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-02-14
sOME THINGS TO EAT

Parkington had forgotten entirely
that he had promised to meet Glib
bons for lunch. at lis at Gibbons
club. Therefore. he mechanically ex.
tended q luncheon invitation to the |
out-of-town customer who had just
concluded big order in his once at
Il o'clock. Then he casually inform
ed his stenographer as he passed out
that he was stepping over to Bangs
cafe, across the street.
The customer was q large. beefy
man. After considering his facial out
posts for an instant Darlington or
dered some raw oysters, to start with.
then a large steak, fried potatoes, 4
salad and pumpkin pie.
In the middle Of the salad he was
called to the telephone
$50 sorry. Mr.. Parkington," said
his stenographer, who was at the 9th.
er end of the wire, but I've Just
found that overlooked a note / had
made to remind you that you were
lunching at Mr.. Gibbons club at lis
today"
Parhngton watched with positive
dislike the manner In which the out
of-town customer leisurely devoured
that lunch. Mournfulness settled upon
his soul. for he Is a light eater and
he knew that he should have to 90
through the motions at least with
Gibbons, because Gibbons is a most
important man and when he asks one
to take luncheon with him It is some
thing that as a rule one casually men,
tiols to ones friends.
Shaking the beefy customer with
acute resentment Darlington tore
over to Gibbons club.
Mice, brisk day" said Gibbons
Selves a man an appetite, Ell. Park.
ington? Well have some Of the clubs
famous soup. And these birds with
truffles are excellent. You like TO-
maine salad, with the roquefort
cheese dressing, / suppose? And some
Of their frozen pudding and coffee and
cigars. Just nice, plain little lunch.
And we can talk about those bonds
you want to sell me"
Parkington wanted to sell those
bonds very much. He would have
been willing to eat ground glass to
accomplish the sale. Ground glass
would have been preferable, because
1t would have taken up less room
than did his portion Of the delectable
luncheon that he shared with his
host. Grimly he opened his jaws and
inserted food, grimly he ground his
teeth together and swallowed the food
In the course Of time.
When he escaped from Gibbons
Darlington had reached the stage
where he could have written a long
and adjective-filled essay on the fulfil.
ity and absurdity of food. He never
again wanted to see anything to eat.
He was convinced that he had had
enough food to carry him through
whatever span Of years remained to
him.
AS he rounded the corner he was
greeted with a shrek Of Joy by three
girls. One Of them was from Park.
ingtOn's point Of view the only girl in
the world, and the other two were
just Parkington's sister and another
girl who didn't count.
ooh, Billy" cried his sister, I'm
80 glad we met you! We've been
shopping all day and are tired to
death and had a horrid luncheon and
won't you please take US to tea at
Bowers new place! They say 1t Is
nice. That's a dear!"
Delighted" said Parkington. He
was looking at the only girl when he
spoke. It seemed to him. in his
state Of mind, after he had his
charges seated at Bowers, that II
was amazing what an appetite even
the only girl could have It was nat
ural for ones sister and her friend
who didn't count To order sandwiches
apparently by the dozen, but he was
panied and grieved to see that Muriel
was not far behind.
"You are not eating, Billy" Muriel
said reproachfully. "Here-Ill pick
out the very incest sandwich Of each
kind for you-how many kinds are
there-nve! And you must have an.
other cup Of teal Taste these al
monds@
And the preserved stun is fine!"
added Parkington's sister, serving him
with generous spoonful.
You must eat to please me-" beg.
ged Muriel you work too hard and
/ don't like to see you look so palel"
Parkington fed at the close Of the
tea party and as he fed he hated the
world more than ever. Once he
crossed the street to avoid walking BY
a restaurant with things to eat in its
window. His head ached and he
made bet with himself that he
could pass himself OF as a stuffed
animal at any museum without the
slightest trouble. Feeling worse ey.
cry instant, he gave US the idea Of
the office and went home.
As he stepped inside the hall bis
mother leaned over the bannisters
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