AWKWARD.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3162, 7 April 1879, Page 1

AWKWARD.

A storyjs told of a dashing colonel quartered m Brussels, which speaks more for the honesty and scrupulous obedience to orders than the brightness of his servant. The colonel, who was engaged out to dinner, just as he was leaving home was seized with such a violent toothache that he was obliged to send an excuse. " Tike this note to Madame W., and bring me my dinner." The man delivered the note into my lady's hand, and to her surprise showed no signs of going away. On being asked what he was waiting for, he answered that he was to fake back the colonel's dinner. The lady saw through his, blunder, ordered the dinner to bo sent, and added a half-bottle of eh&mpagne to be served at drssert. Laden with saucepans, the worthy man retui'ued and proceeded to wait, on. his master, who Found his dinner so much better Lima ho usually got from the restaurant-, that he forgot "his ailments, and enjoyed the. dishes one after another. At last camo the champagne, anil that necessarily led to an explanation. The poor colonel was in despair; after a moment's reflection lie gave his man tea francs and told him to buy a bouquet and take it with his compliments to Madame W. By-and-byo ho camo back and gravely placed ten francs on tho .table. "What does that in"an R Where does that come from ?" " " From Madame W." answered the man with evident satisfaction ; " she paid for the bouquet." On receiving it she gave him fivp francs for himself; but he, careful of his master's interests, had replied, "It's not five francs—rit's ten francs," and brought them back. The colonel has taken to his bed, and r the story has got about, much to the amusement of his fellow-officers. The lady is a widow.