Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-20
SHE ORDERED POTATOES

ress whether rolls and butter would be served with the order and she said Yes in an aloof manner which made me feel that my question was almost sordid, but as I wished to make sure that would get enough to eat l wasn't sorry that had asked it.
 When she brought a cunning little pot of Steam1ng coffee and pretty ramakin whose contents were covered with dainty Drowned crumbs I felt that my frugal lunch wasn't bad after all. I poured my coffee, buttered a roll and then helped myself to the po- tatoes. And they weren't potatoes at all It was some new and perfectly delicious combination of fresh toma- toes and meat which had never tast- ed before. l tell you it required all my Lenten spirit of seh-denial not to plunge right in and devour it quickly. But becockoned to my waitress.
 "P sorry I began meekly, but l think you have made a mistake. You know ordered potatoes au gratin and this is something else"
 Why, you ordered tomatoes au gratin."
 "'No, you must have misunderstood me. I ordered potatoes au gratin.'
 "'But we don't serve rolls with po- tatoes au gratin.'
 "oh. don't you3 I thought you said you did.' "T said we served them with toma- toes au gratin.' She was growing more and more firm, and I felt 1t nec- essary to summon all my dignity.
 "'Of course, I regret that the mis- take has occurred, but I shall have to ask you to change the dish for po- | tatoes au gratin.'
 "T can't now. You've tasted it
 But if I hadn't tasted it, I should not have known it wasn't potato You surely can't expect me to re- turn a dish that you've been eating from she said more gently, and I began to see her side of the matter rather dimly.
 Perhaps not I admitted, but please remember that this is not what I ordered
 "'Wnl you have dessert? she asked pleasantly. as if to change the sub ject.
 ".No, thank you.' replied in a like agreeable tone, and in few moments she brought my check. | "'Why, I remonstrated, you have charged me 50 cents for the tomatoes au gratin.'
 "'That is the regular price
 "'Yes, but I didn't order tomatoes au gratin.'
 "'You are eating them | "'Yes, I answered weakly, but can't pay for them She gave me a | strange look and moved away. I felt her disappr9bation so keenly that ] hurried from the table before she l brought the finger bowl, though ] should have liked the tiny piece oi candy that always comes with it.
 'I explained the matter to the cash. fer and he appeared skeptical. Indeed I felt sure he didn't believe me. Ht looked at the number of the waitres! on the check and sent for her.
 "1 was sure the lady ordered to- matoes au gratin. she said, or I nevel would have told her that we served rolls with them, for we don't serv' them with potatoes au gratin.'
 "'Of course not" agreed the cash fer. looking at me, fancied, with st1l more suspicion.
 But, I insisted. I ordered potatoe au gratin because they cost only 2 ) cents. I didn't order them because like them. I wanted something cheaI and filling. I have but 35 cents witt me- I opened my purse and showe
 him the quarter and dime. "'Well, I suppose I'll have to take this time he said ungraciously, an 5 he changed the amount on my check.
 I'm certainly glad, Adelaide, tha $ you brought him to terms" said he f friend, who had been listening sympa 3 thetically.
 Thank you, but don't feel awful s proud of myself, for when I got on tn : train to go home I found tucke . away with my communication ticket l, s1 bill. Now, don't you think I reall
 should go into Blanks to-day and pa : that 25 cents difference? Y ou se = it's really easy to mistake tomtato fc
 potato. I should feel sorry to thin = that perhaps my waitress had bee s charged with that quarter" @ Adelaide, you old dear. you're eve ,, more honest than you look.'-Chicas ,, News.