Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-08-10

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A military band, in white uniforms,
FLASHED an accelerated air.
'Plenty of seats inside, sir" per-
suaded the head waiter.
what can you give us out hereT
demanded Warren.
Nothing just now. If you care to
wait"
"Oh, look, those people are leaving
over there by the railing" interrupted
Helen eagerly.
AS the departing couple rose, hastily
they edged their way through and took
triumphant possession of the table.
Dear, this is wonderful" turning
from the soiled dishes, Helen rested
her elbow on the railing and gazed
out at the SmOldering sunset.
The heat mist, shrouding the hori-
zon, dimmed the fiery ball, already slip
ping into the sea.
Eyes, we're in luck to get this. Look
at 'em coming"
A stream Of people were turning In
from the boardwalk. Pausing on the
steps they would glance over the
crowded veranda, then reluctantly fol-
low the head waiter into the glaringly
lit dining room.
The sun now almost submerged, q
couple of bell boys ran out to haul
down the flag that fluttered from a
tall staff on the lawn. The band
struck up "The Star-Spangled Banner"
and everyone rose.
Helen felt thrill Of patriotism as
she watched this military ceremony,
and gazed out across the ocean, be-
yond which so many countries wer>
devastated by war. The peaceful
crowd about her seemed suddenly very
carefree and prosperous.
Here, clear this table-and take
my order!"
Warren's sharp complaint grated
harShly. 1t was enough just to sit
there and rest, without struggling for
service, which she knew from the
crowd would be slow.
"This isn't my table, sir. I'll send
your waiter"
Frowningly Warren pushed back the
soiled dishes and threw over them a
corner of the coffee-strained cloth, res
cueG match safe from the clutter
and lit cigar.
rs that large steamer?" she was
gazing at the dark speck that headed
a trailing length of smoke against the
skyline.
But Warren was watching an over
stout woman in an absurdly tight
gown. her fat hands crowded with dia.
monds and lumpish pearls embellishing
her ears.
"Jove, I'd hate to buy food for the
females around here" he said, his
caustic glance wandering on to anOth'
er robust lady, her pink corpulence
bullying her thin white waist.
you'd hardly think she'd need furs,
unused Helen, noting the white fox
scarf about her bulky shoulders.
"'Bout time to let 'em know we're
here" belligerently, his Impotence
again flaring up. Hold on. you the
waiter for this tablep"
mo, sir, I'll send him to you"
Here a perspiring waiter, his shirt
front bristling with checks, dashed up
cleared the table and flung on a damp
ly fresh cloth.
"Where're the roasts" Warren was
ecowlinp at tho faint1y.mirneo nh or
dinner card. "No roasts no vegetables
nothing but soup and cold meat
What the Sam Hill does this mean?"
"Oh, here's notice." Helen read the
note at the bottom of the card.
"The new management begs to an
nounce that this is but a temporary
menu. Within the next few days II
will be sufficiently augmented to af
ford complete service"
Huh" growled Warren, "we're II
for 1t all right" Then scanning the
soups, "St. Germain-those peas
canned or fresh2"
Canned sir" admitted the waiter
"Consomme then" CURLY. "Colt
roast beef and bottle of bass"
Chicken salad and a claret lemon
ade," contributed Helen. Then as the
waiter disappeared, Dear, that's mo-
so bad; it's too hot to eat much any
'~ry. But you wouldn't think they't
change management in the middle Of
the season."
"Oh, these summer hotels are al
ways changing hands. Expensive
plants to keep up-and not much do
ing except Saturday and Sunday"
There's q lighthouseW she wal
glancing out at the misty horizon, from
which flashed faint revolving light
The dusk had deepened, and the are
lights on the lawn lit up the benches
filed with the boardwalk crowd, tina
hat wandered in to listen to the mu
sic.