The Mount Holly news., 1916-12-19

~ O-ANr
ing joyous company be better than
dining alone2 1t occurred to him to
start out to fill the place of waiter
and decide on the way whether or not
he would do so.
"Give me the address," he said.
The man told him where to go, and
Ned jumped into a trolley car and,
having on the way made up his mind,
in due time rang the bell of the base
ment door of the Vincents. He was ad-
mitted by the butler and made himself
known as the man who had come to
wait at the table for dinner. He was
admitted without a word and, having
laid aside his coat and hat, was led up
to the dining room, where he found the
lady of the house arranging flowers on
the dinner table.
'-This is the man sent from Knise-
ley's, men," said the butler.
Mrs. Vincent looked up at Ned. She
was evidently pleased with his appear
ance
whats your manner" she asked.
"My name? Giovanni"
"Oh, Italian. Go into the pantry,
where you will find the Little Neck
CLAIMS, and bring them in here"
Ned brought in the CLAIMS and placed
them on the table. This was all that
was required of him then, for the din
ner hour had arrived. The lady went
into the drawing room, telling him to
fOll0vU hor on6 onnOunoa aiOOar
How he wished that he could be one
of the persons assembled therei They
were nearly all young, and there were
many pretty girls among them. Each
man at once sought his dinner compan-
ion, and they all went into the dining
room in pairs. Ned was reminded of
picture in a book given him when he
was boy of the animals going into
Noah's ark.
Ned and the butler were the only
walters, and they had all they could do
to serve the viands. Nevertheless, the
dinner was not hurried, and long in
terval between courses was permitted.
During lull when the company were
slipping sherbet Ned stood against the
wall pretending to stare at vacancy,
but really observing very pretty girl
opposite him. Several times he caught
her darting a glance at him, and it oc-
Cured to him that here was a chance
for him to fall into one of those cases
where rich mans daughter elopes
with a menial.
When the dinner was finished and
the company had gone back into the
drawing room the hostess remained be-
hind aDd said to Ned:
"As soon as the table Is cleared come
into the drawing room and play for
them to dance"
Ned met this order with an express
sion of astonishment.
You play the piano for dancing,
don't your she said. 81 told Mr. Knise-
ley that l wanted a man to wait on
table and play dance music on the
piano after dinner. He said he would
send one"
Eyes, ma'am," replied Ned, pulling
himself together. 81 play the piano
for dancing"
This satisfied the lady, and Ned was
much pleased that he could fill the bill.
He had played for boys and girls to
dance at home and, though he feared
he would be trifle rusty, had no
doubt that he could acquit himself
fairly well. When the table was clear
ed and the dishes turned over to a
scullion Ned went to the drawing room.
where a crash had been laid and some
Of the furniture removed. He was re-
ceived by the hostess and led to the
piano.
At this time modern dancing had
just been introduced. and some of the
men had not learned the dances. Con-
sequently there were more girl than
men dancers. Ned not only knew all
the dances in vogue, but had learned
one that had just been brought out.
Having played the music for the tur-
key trot and the fox trot, he began to
play for the hesitation waltz.
What's that?" asked the girl who
had cast glances at Ned during the
dinner
Ned told her that it was new dance
just out. She asked him If he could
dance it, and he said he could. She
told him to show the step, which he
did, and nothing would do but she
must try it with him. One of the
guests had caught the air for the dance
and essayed to take Ned's place at the
piano.
A number Of years ago the bare sug-
gestion that lady should dance with
waiter would have excited disgust.
Nowadays, when men are hired for
partners in cabarets, woman may
dance with chimpanzee provided the
chimpanzee knows the step. Ned and
the girl sailed away. Ned was beau
tiful dancer and the girl a natural one.
so she caught the step at once and
with SO admirable a partner danced
remarkably well. Meanwhile the 9th
ers stood looking on, and when Ned
and his partner had finished several
other girls insisted on having a turn
with him. While this was going on
the hostess was called out and when
she returned brought a man with her
carrying a violin case.
There has been a mistake" she said.
II inquired at Kniseley's restaurant If
they could send me man to wait on
table and to play dance music besides.
They said they could. Giovanni came
and has filed both positions. Now
comes another man, who says that he
was engaged to play dance music. 1t
all comes very handy, for now Giovan-
nj can teach US the new dance, while
this man gives us the music"
Where there is a similarity as to re-
finement barriers In social standing are
easily got over. Ned's services were
called into requisition by every girl
guest, and it was not long before he
forgot the role he was playing. And,
for that matter, the others forgot that
he was an Italian waiter When about
midnight Mrs Vincent stepped up to