The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-11-02
The H0ODOO TABLE
1y LILLIAN n. ROYCE


HARLES HENRY, emerging from
the kitchen Of the Elite restau-
rant, nearly dropped his tray. The
Hendersons, the ideal couple whom
he was always quoting to his flancee.
Estelle, as an example Of happy mar
red life, were Quarreling!
+ His experiment had worked only too
well. He was convinced now that the
little table for two In the corner ex-
erted a mysterious influence over the
patrons who occupied 1t. Ever since
its installation, two days before, the
married couples who sat there had ar
gued bitterly all through luncheon.
This extra table had been placed be-
fore a single window at the back, look
ing out upon row Of small shops. 1t
was to be used during the noon rush
and had been assigned to Charles
Henry In addition to his other duties.
The first day, Monday, Charles was
sadly puzzled. No matter how good
the food he brought, or how good
service he gave, every married couple
Who occupied that little table went
would glance out of the window, say
something to her husband, and the war
would be on. She was not always the
victor, but in most cases she won out
and would exit with triumphant air,
followed by scowling husband who
almost always neglected to leave a tip.
Mr.. Henderson, coming in with his
business partner, enjoying his lunch
con, and leaving a liberal tip, caused
the only bright spot in an otherwise
gloomy noon. -%csg77 ,,,z,,..s..,.. !
2 Tuesday a young Couple who had
the little table and sat down, Charles
was interested to see what effect be-
ing placed at the little table would
have upon this pair of turtle doves,
and when he returned with their OF
ders both were too busy arguing to
do Justice to the meal. The young
husband appeared very much upset
and had rather frightened look. 1t
was plain AEss Newlywed had won
the day. No tip.
V This was getting serious. As soon
as Charles found an opportunity after
the luncheon customers had gone, he
sat down at the table, which was the
only way one could look down into
the street; but the afternoon sun was
shining and only a row of prosaic
awnings met his searching gaze. What
ever 1t was, he thought, it only at
fected the married couples, for he re-
membered when young man and
woman, clerks in a nearby Office and
obviously only friends, had sat there.
The girl had begun a lively CONVEX
sation, but happening to look out of
the window, became so absorbed that I H
the young man had said jokingly: I'm
here, you know!" She had smiled at II
that and resumed the conversation, but
her eyes would stray to the window. i
The young man had looked out and 4
remarked: "Well, of course I cannot /
hope to compete with "a" Here II
Charles was called by another custom
or, and missed the words that might
have explained everything. The man k
had given Charles a liberal tip, and Il
he two had gone out, still on most +
friendly terms. E
Charles had decided that he would IL
20 through that back street after work |E
hat night, but he was late, and a Il
treet car just passing, he swung E
hoard. Time enough to investigate E
ater Il
And this was Wednesday noon. Mr.. IS
hod IN, with wife
nd Charles had deliberately led them
o the mysterious table. Would the (
pell work on a devoted couple like IE
he middle-aged Hendersons, who
ever quarreled and, indeed, never
rgued, even about the orders, and Il
lways seemed to appreciate both the E
God and Charles devoted service? lis
1t most certainly would and had! IL
Is Charles came through the swinging IL
DOR, he saw Mr.. Henderson, red-faced Z
nd angry, arguing with his wife, who =
at, white but determined, looking
1ngingly out the window. Neither w
tie a great deal, and they soon left.
'or the first time in years no tip
~ beside Mr.. Henderson's plate.
Something must be done. The extra
able made more work, and with no
ps and the mysterious effect upon tn
Is patrons Charles was becoming f.,
Harmed.
That night being his night of he ~
llled on Estelle and told her Of the III,
codoo table and the spell 1t cast. He TT
uggested that she come in the next of
ay with her sister and perhaps she TIL
onld solve the mystery. I'll
eff you succeed" he said rashly, It'll en-
lake you a present Of anything you be
ish."
Thursday the two girls came early
nd seated themselves at the little
tble. When Charles brought their or
ers he said: "Have you discovered
nythingT
On the pretense Of having the win
ow opened Estelle rose from her chair
i'd Charles sat for a moment In her
ACE. The awnings across the street