The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-02
LISTENING IN ON EVE
The Man Who Ran


it. I'm glad to know the dinner is
satisfactory" he said, "for l aim to
please. We have to please"
at may work all right in the res
taurant business, said the customer,
"but I've found you can overdo 1t IN
other lines
Pappapoulos shrugged his shoulders
and appeared unconvinced.
~ run small store" explained the
large man, pushing away an enticing
piece of pie and frowning at the roast
lamb which the proprietor knew was
particularly good that day, land I've
done we'll; that is, I've made enough to
pay expenses and put a little away,
which is about all the average guy can
do these times.
''All / needed" continued the Gus
toner. was a home. Now, I'm not as
young as l used to be and consequently
| have my idea of what a good wife
should be. First, she must, be a. good
cook. and then she must be economical.
Nov, l have two lady friends. One
of them is an extra fine cook, but she
| doesn't know how to save, and the
other lady is economical, but she
couldn't get up an appetizing meal to
save her life. They both like me and l
don't know which to choose"
Take the one you like the best" ad-
vised the proprietor.
! ~ like them both. / like them
| equally well, said the large man, land
the difficulty find in making up my
mind to a decision is heartbreaking.
When eat meal with the good cook
l enjoy 1t, but when I perceive how
extravagant she is / feel as bad as /
do after dinner prepared by the eco
nomical one. I'm bound to lose which
ever way l move. and so / suppose I'll
have to remain single and lonely"
The proprietor was sympathetic and
he wanted to help, but he couldn't. So
he merely shook the large mans hand
alphabetically and moved away.
The customer paid for a good dinner
he hadn't eaten and departed.
| Papapoulos never saw him again.
Filled with curiosity, he walked BY
the customers little shop a week later.
There was sign reading, Changed
hands,
The restaurant man went in and
asked where the former owner was.
II don't know replied the new pro-
prietor Grossly. 1--WE been pestered to
death by two women ever since / bought
| him out. One of EN- insisted on leav-
ing an apple pie for him in case he re-
turned. She said he'd know who it was
FROM"
'What did the other woman leave?"
asked Papadoulos with lively curl
osity.
The new owner grinned. You'd never
guess" he replied; "a bunch of grocery
receipts for last month. That poor
woman didn't buy enough to keep a
canary alive. She's some economizer,
I'll say!
II hope you saved that apple pie for
him in case he returns" said the res
taurant man.
The new owner looked guilty. At
can get hungry, too" he replied, land,
all, it was good. I've got her address
and I'm going to call tonight with a
box of candy. A wife who can cook as
she can would be treasure
*"Well, hang onto the receipts, any
way"
Il don't know about that" said the
new owner. II was showing them to
friend of mine. He's of a saving dis
position and is looking for wife him
self
That poor customer of mine is CO.
/ ing to lose EN- both" sighed the res
tanrant man, as he turned to the door.
He had his chance" said the new
owner cheerfully; that's all anybody
can ask"