The Washington herald., 1920-09-18
he Hobedier of the Little Rheinsch1oss By O. HENRY LII

Are my hauberk, helmet and hal
bcrd on straight
Is there an explanation to
this" says she. Is it a practical
joke such as men play in those
Griddle-cake and Lamb Clubs?
I'm afraid I don't see the point.
heard, vaguely. that you were
away. For three months, I've
have not seen you or heard from
you
I'm halberding for my living
says the statue. I'm working
says he. I don't suppose you
know what work means
Have you-have you lost your
money she asks.
Sir Percival studies minute.
~ am poorer says he, than
the poorest sandwich man on the
streets-if l don't earn my liv-
ing. ,--
You call this work. says she.
1 thought a man worked with
his hands or his head instead of
becoming nountebank.'
The calling of a halberdier.'
says he. is an ancient and hon
orable one. Sometimes says he.
the man alarms at the door has
saved the castle while the plumed
knights were cake walking in the
Danquet-halls above
see you're not ashamed.
says she. of your peculiar tastes.
] wonder, though, that the man
hood l used to think l saw in you
didn't prompt you to draw water
or hew wood instead of publicly
Haunting your ignominy in this
diSgraceful masquerade
Sir Percival kind Of rattleS hi
"r-N0- Nr1 --.-..
suspend sentence in this matter
understand says he. I've got to
hold down this job a bit longer
You Like being a harlequin
or halberdier as you call it, says
She.
II wouldn't get thrown out of
the job just now says he with a
grin, to be appointed minister
to the court OF St. James
And then the 4O-H.-P. girls
eyes sparkled as hard as dia-
monds.
Very we'll says she. You
shall have full run of your serV-
ing mans tastes this night And
she swims over to the boss desk
and gives him a smile that knocks
the specks OFF his nose.
- think your Rindslosh.' says
she. is as beautiful as a dream.
1t is little slice of the Old World
set down in New York We shall
have nice supper up there; but
If you will grant US one favor the
Illusion will be perfect-give us
your halberdier to wait on our ta-
BILE
That hit the boss anthology
hobby just right. Sure says he.
dot will be fine. Und der orches-
ira shall blay die Wacht am
Rhein' all der time And he goes
over and tells the halberdier to
go upstairs and hustle the grub
at the swells' table.
I'm on the job SAYS Sir Per-
cival, taking off his helmet and
hanging it on his halbert and
leaning 'em in the corner. The
girl goes up and takes her seat
and l see her jaw squared tight
under her smile. We're going to
be waited on by real halberdier,'
says she. one who is proud of his
profession. Isn't it sweet?
Ripping says the swell
young man. Much prefer a wal
ter says the fat old gent. I hope
he doesn't come from a cheap mu-
scum says the old lady, he
might have microbes in his cos
tune
Before he goes to the table, Sir
Percival takes me by the arm.
Eighteen says he. I've got to
pull off this job without a blum
der. You coach me straight or
I'll take that halberd and make
hash out of YOU And then he
goes up to the table with his coat
OF mail on and a napkin over his
arm and waits for the order.
Why, it's Deering!' says the
young swell. Hello, old man.
What the
(" Beg pardon, sir interrupts
the halberdier. I'm waiting on
the table
The old man. looks at him
grim, like Boston bull. 80,
Deering,' he says you're at work
yet
Yes. sir says Sir Percival,
quiet and gentlemanly as 1 could
have been myself. for almost
three months. now You haven't
becn discharged during the time
ASKS the old man. Not once. sir