Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-09-01
From the N. Y. Spirit Of the Times.
A Practical Joker In Carolina.

MONTGOMERY, Ala, July l9th, IL:
Dear Friend "Spirit." Did you
ever spend summer between the
tropics? Were you ever in the hands
of one ofthe steam Fraternity? Or did
you ever accompany Chaubert in any
Of his fanclful peregrinations, in his
experiments on heat? If you have,
think, maybe, you can form some idea
of what we suffer in this blessed place.
on July nineteenth, 1547. Well, while
was sitting in my room in listless
apathy, almost "done brown" from heat,
with nothing under heavens to do, and
too lazy to do it il I had, | came 10 the
conclusion that might. as well while
away the time by giving you ''small
touch" in the shape of (what ! think)
couple Of tolerably good anecdotes. If
you do not agree with me, Why ! can't
help it, and if you do, 50 much the bet
ter. Allons done, pou, commencer, as
the French say.
There lived, once upon time, not
an hundred miles from Charleston, S.
c. wealthy old gentleman, who was
not more celebrated as q bon vivant
than proverbial for his great hospitality.
Near him lived another gentleman,
equally fond of the good things Of this
world, but whose chiefest delight was
practical joke. The former we will
call Capt. C.; the latter Col. F..
Col. F. was one evening returning
from visit he had paid to his friend,
the Captain, when he met a traveller,
who accosted HIM. and enquired
"Where he could stay all night" He
replied that about mile further Capt.
c. resided, and was certain he
would be cheerfully and Hospitality en-,
tertained by him, the traveller thanked
him, and was riding off when the dc.
mon of fmischief suggested to F. to
play one of his tricks. So calling out
10 the man, he said-"There is one
thing l forgot 10 tell you; Capt. C. G
though very hospitable, is very queer
and among other things his anxiety TO
see his guests eat is SO great, that he
not unfrequently makes them fight him
if they refused to be stuffed"
This somewhat startlad the mar. and
he began to hesitate about going. butsit
began to rain, and F. telling him if
he was really hungry and managed to
play pretty good knife and fork. he
would probably escape, he decided up.
on going.
In due time our traveller arrived nj
Capt. G's; his request to stav was
Immediately granted; liveried groom
took his horse, and he was ushered
into the comfortable sitting>room where
he was received by the Captain in his
usual bland and courteous manner.
Brandy and water was handed, and he
was asked te make himself comforta.
= BILE. - - z1
-. Atlength supper was announced
Now, then, thought the traveller. As
it happened, he was really furnished,
(having ridden fifty miles without op.
pingD and ate voraciously; no sooner
was he helped than his plate was again
empty; roast ducks, sausages eggs,
.broiled ham, &c.-all shared The same
fate, and disappeared. Presently his
hunger began 70, be appeased, and he
ate more slowly; but still he did moi re
fuse anything that was offered him.
The Captain seeing him still eating,
although surprised at the mans appe-
tite, continued TO ply him with good
things. At last, having partaken OF
every thing on the table, the Captain
asked him il he would not take some
more duck' Having commenced with
duck, he thougf he would have 10 90
the rounds again; this he felt convinced
was out ofibe question; SO, pushing his
chair back. he exclaimed-"Ney / am
ready to fight you, for Icannot eat an
other moyseI by. ---i" a.!
The Captain of course was much /
astonished at behaviour SO siDgular,and
asked for an explanation. AS soon as