The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-03

into the drawing room and play for
them to dance"
Ned met this order with an express
sion of establishment.
''You play the piano for dancing.
don't your she said. II told Mr.. Knise-
ley that | wanted a man to wait ON
table and play dance music on the
piano after dinner He said he would
send one
'Yes, ma'am,'' replied Ned, pulling
himself together Il 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 a trifie rusty, had no
doubt that he could acquit himself
fairly well. When the table was clear
ed and the dishes turned over to a
seullion Ned went to the drawing room,
where 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.
whats that?" asked the girl who
had cast glances at Ned during the
dinner
Ned told her that 1t was new dance
just out. She asked him IL 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 1t with him. One of the
guests had caught the air for the dance
and essayed to take Ned's place at the
plano.
A number of years ago the bare sug-
gestion that n lady should dance with
a waiter would have excited disgust
Nowadays. when men are hired for
partners In cabarets, woman may
dance with chimpanzee provided the
chimpan2ee knows the step. Ned and
the girl sailed away. Ned was beau
tiful dancer and the girl 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 n violin case.
There has been mistake" she said.
Il inquired ut 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
J all comes very handy, for now Giovan-
nj can teach us the new dance, while
this man gives us the music"
Where there is similarity as to re-
finement barriers In social standing are
easily got over. Ned's services were
called into requisition by every CIR
guest, and 1t 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 abou,
midnight Mrs. Vincent stepped up t.
him and told him that he was wanted
without to bring In refreshments il
was like box on the ear.
Nevertheless, he arose from beside
Miss Merriwether-the girl who hai
been the first to ask him to dance will
her-and in another minute was pass
ing napkins and plates among thu
guests. When all were served he coolly
helped himself and resumed his sea-
beside Miss Merriwether.
The fact that he had just been serv
ing the viands caused this act to ruffls
the equanimity of the company. The
eyes of every one were fixed upon him
1t was one thing for him to teach them
to dance. another to assume a right te
eat with them. though why this is so ID
unintelligible. for when a man hands a
lady a dish he doesn't touch her; when
he dances with her he holds here in his
arms. Mrs. Vincent, who was appalled,
at the walters familiarity. confronted
him.
Giovanni" she said sternly, "go into
the kitchen. The butler will pay you
for your work"
This was too much for Ned. 1t drew
forth confession. He told the hostess
and the company of his lonely Christ
mas eve and that to keep off the blues
he had spent the day at work In his
office. He gave an account of his be-
ing mistaken for waiter at Knise-
ley's and the man that was to serve at
Mrs. Vincent's dinner: how he had pre-
ferred to wait ON those who were
+ happy to dining alone in an empty res
taurant.