Washington telegraph., 1849-08-08
A STORY OF OUR TIMES.

"A
A venerable Dutchman, after having
occupied all the Offices of one Of the prin-
cipal cities of the republic. with great
honor, and having amassed large for
tune in the most unexceptionable manner,
finally formed the resolution of going to
terminate his days at his country seat.
But before retiring, he wished to take
leave of his friends and connexions, and
he accordingly invited them to feast at
his house. The guests, who expected
sumptuous repast, were much surprised In
going into the eating room, to see there
large oaken table, covered with coarse
blue cloth. On being seated, they were
served on wooden plates, with sailed her
ring, rye bread and butter, with cheese
and curdled milk Wooden vases filled
with small beer, were passed round tor
the guests to help themselves. This ex-
treme oddity of the old gentleman caused
secret murmuring among the company;
but out of respect to his age and a1ealth,
instead of showing discomfort, they pre-
tended to relish their fare; and some OF
them even complimented him for the cor
diality Of those old times which he had
brought to remembrance. The old man,
who was not duped by this feigned salts
faction, did not wish to carry the joke any
further, but at signal which he gave,
some servants, habited as country women,
entered, bringing the second service. A
white cloth succeeded the blue one, and
some pewter plates succeeded the wooden
ones. Instead of rye bread, dried her
ring and cheese, they were served with
good brown bread, fresh beef, boiled fish,
and strong beer AT this unexpected
change, the secret murmurs ceased; the
polite invitations of the old man became
more pressing, and the guests ate with
better appetite. Hardly had they time to
taste the second service when they saw
butler enter, followed by half dozen
servants, in brilliant livery, bringing in
the third.
A superb table Of mahogany, covered
with beautiful howered cloth, replaced
the oaken one. A sideboard was imme
diately covered with the richest plate and
most curious china, and the guests were
charmed with the sight of profnsion OF
rare and exquisite meats. The most de-
licious wines were freely passed around,
while a melodious concert was heard IN
the adjoining room Toasts were drank,
and all were merry. But the good old
man, perceivirg that his presence him
dered the guests from giving themselves
to their full JOY, rose and addressed them
thus: Il give you thanks, ladies and
gentlemen, for the favor you have granted
me. 1t is time that should retire my
self, and leave you to your liberty. But
before the ball commences, which have
ordered to be prepared for those who love
the dance, permit me to acquaint you
with the design | proposed to myself in
inviting you to repast which mas ap-
peared SO odd. have wished thereby to
give you an idea of our republic. Our
ancestors rose to their present high state,
and acquired liberty, riches, and power,
by living in the frugal manner which you
saw in our first service. Our fathers pre-
served those great blessings only by living
in the simple manner of which the second
service has reflected an image. If it is
permitted to an old man who is about to
leave YOU, and who tenderly loves you,
to speak, must say, fear that the eX-
travagant profusion which you might
have remarked in the last service, and
which is the present style Of living Elll
deprive us of more than our ancestors
have acquired by the sweat OF their brow
and our fathers have transmitted to us by
their industry and wise calculation.
~-.~~~
The story that DR.. Coolidge, the MUIR
derer and alleged suicide, is still alive, is
revived again. A dispatch from Portland
saws: "Dr Mann, of Sknowheean, Me,
states that body was brought from
Thomaston, and inferred as that of DIR.
Coolidge, who it was reported, committed
suicide while in prison, some six weeks
since Suspicion being aroused the
body was disnterred a few days since,
in presence of 16 persons, including DR..
Mann himself, and Coolidge's father, and
they all agreed that it was not his BODY.
DR.. Coolidge testified that his son had
lost the end of one thumb, and had no
scar on his face; whereas, the corps had
a scar on the cheek, and both thumbs
were whole The circumstances had
created considerable excitement.