Plot

Mrs. Jones is a member of the Ladies' Temperance League, and has invited the sisters of the League to a luncheon at the Jones domicile. She receives a note to the effect that they will accept the invitation upon condition that Mr. Jones is not in evidence, as his views on temperance and theirs do not concur. This intelligence is most felicitous to Jones and he prepares to "beat it." Another note, however, arrives and this is from the caterer, who informs Mrs. Jones that owing to a strike of the Waiters' Union, he is unable to furnish service. Here is trouble. "What is to be done? Ah, I have it. Hubby dear, shall act." And so Mrs. Jones broaches the subject to him. He is indignant. "What, I, the Hon. Edward Everett Jones, play the waiter." But Mrs. Jones cooingly persuades and Jones at last weakens, or rather appears to, for he has suddenly conceived sport in the situation. The maid is dispatched to the costumer's for the waiter's outfit, and Jones, when rigged out, looks the typical garcon. Mrs. Jones is delighted. The door-bell rings and the Amazonian annihilators of Demon Rum arrive. They are ladies with curdled dispositions and complexions of chow-chow. They take their places at the table and set in to have a perfectly lovely time by feeling as miserable as possible. They eat as if it were a duty, not a pleasure. The luncheon is served until it comes to the coffee, when Jones works his dire design. In all the cups, excepting that of his wife, he pours a generous dose of Rum. This the old girls drink with keen relish and ask for more. This time Jones serves them pure unadulterated Rum - in other words, Rum Straight. Those giddy old ladies thaw out and Mrs. Jones is amazed, she, of course, ignorant of the cause of their unseemly conduct. Jones and the maid are in high glee. One old lady so far forgets herself as to try to kiss Jones. This arouses the ire of Mrs. J. who ejects the bunch, and then falls weeping into the arms of Mr. Jones.—The Film Index - January 9, 1909