Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-26
"a SLICE OF LIFE"
IN A RESTAURANT
True Story of a Broken Dish,
a Soldier and
Waitress

FTNHE restaurant was rapidly filling with the
l. MONDAY crowds. Men and women. singly
In pairs, in groups, hurried through the
swinging doors and sought places at the
tables. Ripples Of laughter and the babble
OF many voices we're intermingled with the
rattle Of plates aud the clang of silverware
on the stone tables as the whte-clad wait
resses deposited the steaming dishes before
the earlier hungry arrivals.
A soldier strode down the narrow aisle and
found an empty table near the end of the
room. As he removed his overcoat In the
aisle. a waitress, carrying a tray of empty
dishes. stopped suddenly behind him to avoid
collision. The soldier turned to allow her
to pass and their eyes met.
Surprise was written on their faces and
both flushed with embarrassment. They stood
speechcss for a minute
What are YOU doing here, Mary" said
the soldier in low voice
John :" she exclaimed. "And to think !
should see you again after these years."
The tray in her hands wavered, \ dish
came loose and slid over the edge II struck
the floor with crash and was shattered
into hundred pieces
The buzz OF voices stopped as scores OF
eyes were turned in the direction Of the
sound They saw only a waitress kicking
from the aisle the pieces Of the broken dish
and soldier in the uniform Of the National
Army hanging up his overcoat IL was moth
ing to them But to the two outstanding
figures Il was something msre--a husband
and wife who had been separated for
years had come face to face with each other
in the restaurant.
Misunderstanding had caused their do
mestic troubles, misunderstanding Of their
duties and obligations to each other under the
settling down process after the honeymoon
was over Neither knew how to give or
take" and outbursts OF temper added fuel to
the flames OF discomfort. They agreed to
disagree. Then the husband left;
Mars however. had taken hand in the
AFFAIR had put the husband into UNIFORM
had sent him to this city. Unable to put his
mind on the menu, lie watched his wife take
an order from the adjoining table and fegncd
10 read the bill, of fare as she approached
him for his order.
what are you doing here, Mary" he
queried again as she reached MS side =.
supporting myself and your son. John"
There was in her voice nothing but quiet
resignation,
MY son, :"
Yes. he's nearly three. What do you want
to eat? We're not supposed TO talk
Make il ham and eggs and coffee" He
had eaten the same for breakfast. he told me
later but there was no other order he could
think OF at the moment
When his wife hurried away he realized
that he was not hungry.
"I'm glad you're doing your duty she
whispered, as she placed the dishes before
him.
with no idea OF its meaning. His first duty
had been at bone and he Stunned IT, He had
been taught to love his country and respect
his flag when he first went to school, And
the first law OF the soldier was obedience.
He had learned that in the few weeks he
had been in training
Love, honor. obey The words were
familiar Why, they were part Of the we'd
ding ceremony. They were the essentials OF
his duties as a soldier. II he had not needed
them IN civil life how could he heed them In
his country's hour of need? Why he was
fighting for his wife and boy. But
81 didn't do my duty by you." he frankly
admitted. MARY. would you-?" But the
little waitress had fed to wait on another
hungry mortal
The food nearly choked him. but he man
aged 10 dispose of 1t before his wife returned
| TO the table. ANY dessert?" she asked.
II couldn't eat 1t II ordered It," he said.
She had watched him unobserved as she
stood near the steam table awaiting the ar
rival OF the dumh-waiter with his order.
Her heart was overwhelmed with the hope
| that out Of the chance meeting would come
| happiness, but she was lost as to what to do
She wanted him to return for the sake
| of the boy. She admitted that she, too. had
| bean at fault in their diniculty and was will.
| ins to meet him more than half way. Con-
| tact With thes world had taught her much
| Ghs haA learned the duties Of wife. Plainly