Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-11-26
lEATING OUT THE CHANGE.

l. Al lady used sometimes to relate the following
odd story, Of which she was herself the heroine;
d and its repetition always afforded us the benefit
of hearty laugh. We give it as near as possible
in her own languagei
Between thirty and forty years ago, said she, 1t
/ was my lot to live on the banks Of the Hudson'
some fifty miles from New York. As there was
no house Of public entertainment within dis
:anee of ten miles, it often happened that persons
Travelling across the country, or on the river,
found themselves under the necessity Of stopping
at my house for something 70 eat. To furnish
snch with meals became, under the circumstances
a duty; and in order TO be just to myself as well
as the stranger, charged moderate price for my
food and labor. Very often, it happened, that
would be called upon to get breakfast or dinner
for half-a-dozen men and women, passengers be-
Gained in some vessel on the river. Generally,
my prices were considered so moderate as to oc-
casion remark, and often some guest or guests
would voluntarily increase the rate Of compensa-
ton demanded. Now and then, customer Of
an entirely different character would find his way
to my table, and after satisfying an enormous APP
petite grumble at his levy for breakfast, or three
fps for dinner, and sometimes intimate that my
love for money must be strong indeed when it
led me to charge hungry man for ga bite of VIC
tuals."
One day, nearly an hour after the family had
taken dinner, traveller Of the description last
referred to, made his way to my door, and asked
if could furnish him with meal. replied that
could not cook him dinner, but that if he
would take cold meat, bread and butter, and milk,
would set these before him. A hungry man
does not often refuse such fare. My guest said
that it would edo as we'll as the fat of the land.
| al
cloth to make amends for the cold fare. Ny ira
weller possessed keen appetite, eating at least
two pounds of meat, half loaf Of bread with but
ter in proportion, and drinking over a quart Of
milk At first, he approached the food with a
species of vOraeity, but gradually eat more DELHI
erately, until finally, from very repletion, his stO
mach refused an additional mouthful.
"what's to pay ma'am, (" said he, at length, as
he pushed his chair back from the table, and COM
menced picking his teeth with fork. .-.',.-s =
al generally charge three fps for dinner"
replied, s but as yours is only cold cut, sup
pose ten cents will do"
The man drew forth levy, and as he handed
it to me, said
"Have you the change, ma'am.n
al really don't think have a penny in the
house. But will see."
So / went to the closet where usually kept
small change in a tea cup. But not a copper was
there. When 1 announced this fact, the man
looked so unhappy about it, that called to my
hired girl to know if she had couple of pennies.
Jemima proved to be no better off than myself.
"Whats to be done F' said I, looking at my
traveller who sat balancing himself on the legs of
his chair, and looking as solemn as the grave. ID
:" Pm sure don't know" was the reply. "Per-
haps you can borrow from a neighbor."
"From a neighbor There's none within
quarter of mile, and certainly shall not go that
far to borrow two cents.
began to feel annoyed.
"Well, ma'am," he looked serious, and spoke
firmly. y want my change. What's to he denen
happy thought flashed through my mind, and
1 answered with as grave face as possible.
:" don't see what you'll do unless you eat out
the change"
I" EAT OUT THE CHANGE |" he exclaimed, taken
at first q little by surprise.
1t is the best that can be done," said l, alrea-
dy beginning to enjoy the scene.
Involuntary my guest laid his hnnd upon his
stomach, Strengthened himself up, and seemed to
be testing his capacity for holding an ounce more
of food.
g don't believe can swallow another mouth
ful,n he remarked, while his eyes ranged over the
table.
"1t's your only chance, SIR was already
half smothered. with suppressed laughter, but
The man sighed, hesitated, surveyed the table,
and at length drew up with an air of desperate
resolution, Another slice of cold meat was trans
ferred to his plate, another piece of my home
made bread overlaid with thick stratum of fresh
butter, and another pint tumbler filed with milk.
Then began the work of aPProPriating these
Poor fellow He made but slow progress, and
was compelled, in the end. though evidently with
great reluctance, to abandon the field with his
two cents worth of Povender but half consumed.
While striving to induce his RELUCTANT stomach to
receive another mouthful of bread and meat, his
eyes caught sight, in looking glass, of the laugh
ter-sufused face of Jemima, when, starting up,
with an air of insulted dignity, he left the table
and the house, muttering in low tone, some
thing about "taling advantage of strangers"
[Arthur's Gaz.
Fast Eating.
A - 80 nj