The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-07-11
PRIVATE PUDDING !;
HOW THE IIoosIER COME IT.

HOW THE sIIOOsIER COME IT.
Many years ago q Hoosier, Who
had just struck New Orleans for the
first time, after his fat boat was made
snug and fast, went upsto see the sights
Of the city. Passing St. Charles he
stopped Immediately in front of the St.
Charles Hotel, and, looking up, seemed
to scrutinizc the building with tho eye
Of an architectural connoisscur.
After satisfying his gaze he asked Of
a passer-by what building it was; on
being told it was hotel, he inquired
for the entrance, and being shown, he
asccnded the steep steps. Approach
ing the Office he inquired for the land
lord, of whom he inquired if he could
get "a bite" to eat. Mr.. T.. r.
Nudge, who was the host at that time.
and who is host at all times, humor.
ing the fellow, told him he could do 50
by paying dollar. After considering
for some time OH this item, and gravcly
looking his host in the face, he said,
swell III 80 it, thar's my dollar,
whar's your dinner '-"Well." said
the other, with smile, cit is not
ready yet, but take scat at the table
there, and you can amusc yourself with
the papers for half an hour, when YOU
will hear the gong, which will inform
you that dinner is ready" "The
gong what's that ?" asked tho IIoos-
icr. "Oh you will find out when you
hear it," replied Nudge. Satisfied
with this answer, the Hoosicr, after
looking wildly around him, sat down and
rummaged over the papers. Time
sped on ut its customary rate, when
suddenly the gong sounded, and as
usual the crowd moved for the dining.
room.
Recovering FROM his astonishmcnt at
the noise OF the gong, and scenting the
delicious fumes Of the dinner, the Hoos-
Ter made rush through the crowd
for seat; but being met by the host
he was conducted to his allotted chair.
The gentlemen seated on cacch side of
him, as we'll as the gentleman opposite
him, had their wine before them.
After finishing his soup, and having
his plate we'll filled, the Hoosier obserY-
cd the gentlemen helping themselves
freely to wine, and, so scizing the bottle
of his right-hand neighbor, he attempt
fed TO- help himself, when ho was mod
estly informed that the vino was "pri-
tate: I: sFhe Hoosier did not seem to
conprehcnd and with O. blank sort of
look, resumed his knife and fork. On
laying them down again, and having
apparently come TO the conclusion thla,
itconld not all be spriyate,., wine, h.
seized hold Of his leff.kmnd friends bot.
tie. Stop, ifEyou please, SIR" said
the offended individual with a fierce
look, sSthat isl jpriuate suine, SIR" The
Hoosier looked Still moro astonishcd,
and finding 1t hard case, thought he
Wesid make another trial any how. So
= reaching across tho table, he seized the
bottle opposite to him, and was lust in
theact Of filling his glass, when his yis.
L fs:pis e-echoed, "privato wine, sir, if
you please" and withdrew tho bottle
from the fearful leakage it was about to
undergo.
The ssg:een un," becoming cnragcd
atbcing foiled at every side, and observ.
ing that there was a general simpcrine
and tittering among the walters, turned
on the servant who stood at the back of
his chair, and who had taken away his
plate for c.hfth or sixth time, and ~cri
Z ed out to him with an oath TO bring back
his plate, and that if he took it away
again, she'd be dod drot if he didn't
draw his picker on him." and, as suit.
ing the action to the word, put his hand
into his bosom, showing the handle Of
o huge bowie.knife.
After. this, things went on quietly.
till the dessert was put on the table,
when.a large Charlotte Russe pudding
was set right before the Hoosier. This
he immediately drew near his plate,
and looking right and left at his neigh.
bors, he helped himself to large por
tion oft. Keeping his eyes fixed on
the dish while eating, he perceived his
rlght-hand neighbor attempting to with
draw tho dish from him. 0No YOU
don't, Mister" said the Hoosier to
him, "that thar puddin' is private pud
din'." The lcft-hand gentleman, not
observlng'what had passed, then said,
"Allow me to take the pudding, sir?''
"No, you can't take that thar pud
atn',," said the Hoosier with q scowl.
that's private puadia'." And he re-
helped himself. Shortly after the gen.
leman opposite was in the act of draw.
ing the dish over to him. "IJold on.
Mister" said the Hoosier with look