The Snowflake herald., 1917-11-09

"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. II told Mr.. Knise-
ley that wanted a man to wait on
table and play dance music on the
plano 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
plano.
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 it was new dance
just out. She asked him if he could
dance 1t, 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 a 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 q 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 similarity as to re,
1nement 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
him and told him that he was wanted
without to bring in refreshments it
was like bAx on the ear.
Nevertheless. he arose from beside
Miss Merriwether-the girl who had
been the first to ask him to dance with
her-and in another minute was pass
ing napkins and plates among the
guests. When all were served he coolly
helped himself and resumed his seat
beside Miss Merriwether
The fact that he had just been serv-
ing the viands caused this act to ruff1e
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 to
eat with them, though why this is so is
unintelligible, for when a man hands a
lady 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 a 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 a 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
fonront