Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1848-08-14
"DupOnt'S Best"

the ground, a circle of haIf-frozen towns
people had girdled The fire in Ms bar
room. They had put in reqdisition eve
ry newspaper in the room, and as the
number was considerable, and each was
anxious to get as nea as possible TO the
source of comfort, the ciosely-wedged cir
Gle Of chair backs formed a sort of Gordon
sanitaire, since, without some n should
move, all ingress to the fire was cut off,
as though it were under quarantine. And
the semicircle row Of legs and feetturning
inwards towards the hearth, looked like
the spokes of an enormous wagon-wheel.
Even the landlord was excluded. and with
his hands in his pockets, Mr.. M. was i'm
dustriously promenading his bar-room,
e~ndeavoring to look as good natured and
as comfortable az circumstances would
permit. O
Inthis state Of things, DIR. L., of our
town, entered rubbing his hands, and pro-
nounced energetically, several monosylla-
bic words, in connection with some quite
original observations on the state of the
weather. Bot in vain did he, with blue
nose and beseeching look, walk round
the semicircle Of kind-hearted n%eighbors,
to get access to the fire; not a soul mo-
we'd.
"By the laws it's cold!" at length ex-
claimed the doctor, by way of drawing
attention to his forlorn condition.
Hey? cold didyou say?" answeredone
carelessly; "yes, I should think likely it is,
out in the street," and he coolly gave his
chair a hitch, in the unsuccessful effort
to get it n haif-inch nearer the fire.
Now DR.. T., though n Of the best
hearted men 10 the world, is exceedingly
irritable; and while as fond of Jokes as
Curran was, is known as a perfect dare
devil, capable of anything. After H mo-
ment's waiting he left the room, mutter-
ing something expressive of his private
opinion as to the state of civilization in
that town. Crossing the street to a store, he
put neatly up a bundle, some four inches
BY two in size, in n corner OF which he
put about a spoonful Of "Dupont's best"
Re-entering the bar-room he tipped the
landlord a sly wink, and then by a person.
al appeal prevailed upon the most good
natured mai Of the group to move his
chair m~omentarily, SO as to admit 4. into
the circle; a movement which the rest
reproved instantly, by looking daggers
and icicles at the good-natured q
DR.. T., however quietly turned his back
to the fire, and pulling his coat-tails aside,
American fashion, and very composedly
whistling Yankee Doodle.
Atlength some one CHANGED to remark
-y"Must be a good morning for rabbit
hunting" q q.
"Yes," said the Doctor, catching ea-
gerIy at the very hint he had been waiting
for, "yes, l should think so. I'm going
myself, directly. Just bought a pound
Or two Of first rate powder over the way
here. Finest article I've seen in town"
And coolly taking out the package, he
took off corner, as if at random, and
pouring upon his hand about a spoonful
Of the apparent contents, threw it upon
the FIRE.
The explosion elevated some halt do
zen Of the circle (who had o noticed
what he was doing) two r three inches
from their chairs, and loud remonstran-
COS followed against the repetition of any
chemical experiments Of that sort; while
the landlord, who had got his cue, re-
marked:
.By George!" you'd better blow a
man $ house up, hadn't you'll"
"If you say much, / WILL" rejoined T.,
great apparent heat. "f'd just as soon
lch the whole two pounds in the fire as
Az
I'd like to see you." replied VI. conf
dey. .-
p you dare me to do it," shouted 2.
\ do" doggsdly answered the
lana.
No aaner said than done. With a
mut'e remark about not stalking a