The story
“James, the head waiter at Tupelo’s cafe, had an exaggerated notion of his importance. He ruled the fashionable restaurant with a rod of iron, and he firmly believed that the women who came there were all in love with him—for how could they resist such brilliancy and such good looks as were his? There was one woman in particular—a young society matron, the leader of an exclusive set—whom he was ambitious, above all the rest, to captivate. One day at luncheon he found her looking at him approvingly—and before leaving, she gave him her visiting card, with ‘Please call at eight’ written on it. James was convinced that he had made a conquest. He went to Mrs. Hollywood’s house, attired in his best, carrying a magnificent bouquet of roses and ferns. To his surprise, however, she invited the rest of the family to look him over—and he was then and there told to ‘report for service the next morning.’ Though James had been mistaken about the lady, she was quite right about James. For he made her a butler to be proud of—lending great dignity to her establishment.”
Summary from Reel Life · 27 December 1913
