The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1913-11-08


Drunkenness were now beginning
to be evident among the diners.
The walters were receiving consid-
cradle presents of money and sec
ret directions to keep particular
glasses filled.
Men left their places and carried
their chairs to more alluring neigh
borhoods. Little groups surround
ed the humorists and roared with
laughter whenever these spoke
Men whom the champagne affected
to seriousness drew aside in pairs,
and with heads nodding close to-
gether, emptied their hearts of mat
tiers which for the moment seemed
of paramount Importance. Some
times they shifted and shed tears.
John Tombs snatched a soffee-
pot from a waiter and poured it's
contents on the floor. Openta, from
whose hands the coffee-pot had
been snatched, giggled. He was al
so drunk.
The dinner began to break up.
The young gentlemen left the
room by twos and threes. Down
stairs in the main hall of the res
taurant there was a great putting
on OF hats and coats; many of the
latter were lined with expensive
fur. Electric hansoms received
drunken cargoes on moro pleasure
bent. And, like the geese in the
song,
zone flew east and one flew west.
And one flew over the cuckoo's
nest"
But the future groom came back
to the dining room. He was big
man and, with his immense fur
lined coat and high silk hat looked
positively mountainous. His face
was red and shiny with hard drink
ing, but he was not drunk.
Where's the other waiterT he
said. in a loud. assured voice.
i've got something tor all of you"
A swinging door was pushed open.
and voices began to call for Openta
to come back.
Openta, very unsteady on his feet
and sure of only one thing-that he
wanted to go home-had just reach
ed to the top of a flight OF stairs.
Hearing his name called, he turned,
slipped and fell to the bottom of
the stairs.
Those in the dining-room heard
the sounds of the fall, mingled with
a sudden burst of foolish laughter,
and then a deep groan. Afterward
there was silence.
The groom hurried, with the 9TH
ers. to the bottom of the stairs.
openta had already picked him
self up. His face was white and
drawn with pain. but he did not
seem to have received any serious
injury. He kept Keeling the small
Of his back with one hand and
taking quick. shifting breaths.
He's all right" said the groom,
and he began to Distribute green
backs among the walters.
The others, all but Odekalki and
Openta, hurried back to the dining
room for the remnants of the feast.
What stupid fellow you are."3
said odeskalki, TO get drunk and
fall down stairs. You might have
broken your neck. Come. let us co."
Il have hurt my back" said
Openta-
Where?" said Odeskalli brutality.
He prodded openta's spine with his
thumb. Tears of anguish ran out of
openta's eyes and he staggered.
Curse your he cried.
odesKalki was taken aback for a
moment. Don't be fool, little
man." he said presently. Put your.
self together. ana don't curse your
betters.''
II am sorry for what said,
odeskallxi said openta ineekly.
But You shouldn't have punched
me so hard q
Punched YOU" said odeskalli
scornfuIly. Il punch you'll Man. III
punched You you'd know it. Ny
fist would come out the other side
openta went up town BY the