The Meeker herald., 1923-01-13
Home
Atmosphere
~ CLARA DELAFlELO
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Young Blaine was very lonely when
he entered the new basement restau-
rant for breakfast. But boarding
houses had only accentuatsd his ioneii-
ness, and he had moved into for
nished room and was taking his meals
out. There 10 less loneliness In soil
tude than in uncougenial company.
And he might have been back 10
New England, the New England he
plned fof, when he entered. The In
terior was spotless, the little tables
laid with clean white napery. and the
smiling welcome had that touch Of In
dependence that spells the original
home Of the Pilgrim.
The roar Of Tenth street was Tor
gotten. Blaine was at home. And the
menu-baked beans, Goldfish balls and
pie. Three varieties Of pie!
Tho motherly proprtetress beamed
On Blaine. The pretty girl. her daugh-
ter, beamed. too.
ut seems like home" said Blaine.
"Well, you see." said the mother.
"when We started this place We aimed
to meet the tastes Of New Enslanders.
Us folks don't seem to get along on
the kind Of diet they require In this
part Of the country. Would you be-
iieve III They turn up their noses at
pie for breakfast!~
"Hand 1t to me-" said Blaine, as
the pretty daughter appeared with q
large piece Of steamins hucklebefry.
After that he fell into the habit Of
dropping into the little restaurant
every morning. There was always the
New England menu. and ~ for the
pies-well. Blaine had never tasted
anything approaching them. In
short time he and Elsie had become old
friends. One day. quite daringly. he
invited her to come to the theater that
night. Elsie assented shyly. and
when he went home Blaine knew that
he wss In love.
1t ID hard lines being In love on q
salary Of thirty per. However. Blaine
had hopes Of q raise at Christmas.
The next time he took Elsie out he
told her something.
"But, Elsie. dear. won't you say
whether you love me r he pleaded. .
little surprised at the girls manifest
confusion.
'Oh. I do. do love you. Edgar"
she answered, ''but-"
To Blaine's surprise she burst into
tears. Finally she promised to give
him an answer In two weeks time-f
he would asree mot to come to the res
,taurant during that period.
II was an ultimatum and Blaine had
NO alternative but to comply with II.
The two weeks dragged with leaden
feet. At the end Of that period. sur.
feitsd with . diet Of ham and egss.
lBiaine hastensd to the restaurant. y
Il was closed!
In despair he aceostsd Q policeman.
who seemed quite sympathetic.
''Sure I know the folks you mean
he answsred. USED to run an Eye.
tailan plaes over on Nineteenth"
sYoui mast bs Nroae.r said Blaine.
"They'o New England, born and
bred"
young Teller, the department amt
never wrong" replied the policeman.
with offended dignity. "If you don't
believe M, hunt EN- up yourself"
Blaine hunted. All along the street
he made his inquiries without result.
Nobody knew where the Browns had
gone. He Vas In despair; but on the
third day the policeman stopped him
IN the street.
"Say, young Teller, amt found them
friends Of yours yet. have your"
Blaine shook his head mournfully.
"You mightn't be very far wrong"
said the policeman. III you was to try
~ Third avenue."
Blaine was due at the ONCE. But
that night he FASTENED there on winged
feet. He stopped outside the place,
however, with the impression that the
policeman had been having = game
With him. 1t was Kosher restaurant.
and crowded with East Siders. The
smell Of fried 6sh came Into the street
In oily gusts.
And then. serving at the tables,
Blaine saw Elsie!
She saw him and dropped 4 pile OF
dishes with 4 crash.
'"Oh, do 20 out!" she whispered.
"TT-rll see ycc !ster."
Blaine paced the streets I'LL closing
time. He slipped Into the restaurant
-, the last customer went out.
"It's all my fault" sobbed Elsie
the mother had discreetly Withdrawn.
II always meant to tell you. only !
didn't dare after saw how very New
England you were. We're fram-from
Poland, only ] was born here, and
and We started catering to the Italians,
and then to New Enslanders. but we
couldn't make It pay, and so ~e-had
to fall back on 4 Kosher restaurant.
and-its paying now. and-go away
forever"
"Dariingi" said Blaine. folding her
In his arms.