§ 261 Spreading the Glad Tidings
A gentleman who evidently thought well of himself entered a restaurant and with commanding mien beckoned the head-waiter to him. He ordered a seven course dinner, winding up with this instruction to the obsequious servitor:
“Now, don’t forget to tell the cook that these things are for Colonel Brown—understand, Colonel Brown. Just mention my name to him and he’ll understand.”
A person of mild aspect had been a witness to this. As the head-waiter turned over Colonel Brown’s order to an underling the mild man caught his eye.
“Just a minute, please,” said the second patron. “I want to give an order, too. Got any fresh clams?”
“Yes, sir, some very fine clams to-day.”
“Good. Here’s my visiting card. Now go down to the cellar, open twenty-four clams, put ’em on some cracked ice, and while you’re doing it, mention my name to every damn’ one of ’em.”