THE HESPERIAN
9
door of the house of the great Mrs. Harris.
Behind stood James, bearing his master's
overcoat and umbrella. Augustus realized
that the next few moments would tell
whether he would strike Mrs. Harris favor
ably or not. Summoning his courage, he
boldly raug the bell.
He was admitted by a footman who took
his hat and coat, while another announced
him at the drawing-room door.
Mrs. Harris came forward to him and ox
pressed her pleasure at his coming. There
was a very select company present, but Au
gustus acted as well as anyone present. He
could see that he had made a good impres
sion on Mrs. Harris.
He felt happy, but he remembered that
the ordeal was to come, and felt miserable
agaiu.
The butler finally announced dinner.
Augustus braced himself, locked his teeth
tightly, and by a great effort calmly ap
proached the table.
All eyes were upon him as he began the
awful task.
With one great, Herculean effort he re
tained his composure and gracefully separ
ated one leg from the turkey.
Still everyone watched him, but he was
equal to the occasion and performed the
same operation upon the other leg.
Two or three of the company looked the
other wry, relieved, and gave their attention
to something else. Gradually the turkey
lost its form until all the carving was done.
"So graceful!" moutally ejeculated Mrs.
Harris.
Oh, how happy and relieved Augustus felt
as ho cut off the last piece of moat and
asked each person what part they preferred.
The victory was his. Nothing was in the
way now o his ambition to get Mrs. Harris'
good opinion. Ho had overcome his fear
ful task. He mentally resolved to add a
dollar to James' wages. Ho pictured to
himself the fulfillment of the dreams ho had
dreamed when ho first road the invitation.
He grew brilliant in his conversation. The
whole company was kept laughing at his
bright sallies. Ho could see looks of admi
ration in the eyes of the daughters of the
hostess. He had reached the very acme o
als his ambitions. He wondered if ever mor
tal man was so blessed as ho.
Suddenly the conversation ceased. The
elegant dining room was silent. A,tigustus
looked up from a delicate piece of biieast he
was enjoying. All eyes were turned toward
him. In the faces of all he- read amaze
ment, disgust and horror.
What had happened? What had ho done?
He looked down at his plate. Oh horror of
horrors! '
lie was eating with the carving knife and
fork!
: -x-
News item; December 26.
"Yesterday evening a well-dressed, elegant-appearing
hatless young man was found
wandering the streets in pitiable mental con
dition. He carried a long, ugly-looking
knife in his hand. The police are of the
opinion that he has met with some severe
loss in gambling. He is at the police sta
tion at present awaiting identification.
POINTERS.
Crandall repairs guns and revolvers, 1345
0 street.
Teeth without plates are a specialty with
Dr. Hodgeman.
Best 75c China Silks, Navy, only 39c, a
Herpolsheimor & Oo.'s, Lincoln. Send for
samples.
Thompson, the optician, can fit you out in
spectacles better than anybody in the city.
1241 O street.
Bought, sold or exchanged: Second hand
books. U. of N . books a specialty, at Lin
coln Book Exchange, 126 So. 12th street.
Its a beauty, rhonow Catalogue of Her
polshoimer & Co., Lincoln. Send for a
copy, free. Send for samples of the beauti
ful lino of new Dre'ss Goods.
1
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