The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-05-18

!. Al lady used to relate TO following old story,
of which she was herself the heroinc--and its
repeating always afford us the benefit of a hear
ty laugh. We will give II as near as possible
in her own words. lD'.l'o .ii
Between thirty and forty years ago, said she,
it was my lot to reside ON the banks of the
Hudson, some fifty miles above New York
AS there was no house of public entertainment
within distance of ten miles, il often happen
cd that persons travelling across the country,
or on the river, found themselves under the
necessity of stopping at my house for some
thing to eat. To furnish such meals, became,
under the circumstances, a duty; and in order
to be just to myself as we'll as to the strangers.
charged a moderate price for my food and la
Dor. Very often il happened that would be
called upon to get breakfast or dinner for half
dozen men or women, passengers bccalmed
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 compen-
saton demanded. Now and then customer
of entirely different character would find his
way TO my table, and after satisfying his enor-
nous appetite, grumble at his shilling for
breakfast, or eighteen pence for dinner. and
sometimes intimate that my love of money
must bo strong indeed when it led me TO
charge hung-y man for bite of victuals.
One day, nearly an hour after the family
had taken dinner, a traveller of the description
last referred to, made his way to my door, and
asked if could furnish him with a meal.
replied that could not cook him dinner, but
| that if he would take cold meat, bread and but
| ter, and milk, l would set them before him.
| A hungry man docs not often refuse such fare.
My guest said it would "do as well as the fat
of tho land" So laid the table anew, putting
| on clean table cloth to make some amends
for the cold fare. My traveller possessed n
keen appetite, eating at least two pounds Of
meat, half loaf of bread in proportion and
drinking over a quart of milk. At first ho ap
proprated the food with species of voracity;
but gradually ate more deliberately until finally
from repletion, his stomach refused an addi-
tional mouthful.
"Whats to pay ma'am?' said lie Mt length,
as he pushed his chair from tho table, and
commenced picking his teeth with fork.
Il generally charge eighteen pence for n
dinner replied, 'but as yours is only cold
cut / suppose ten pence will do
The man drew forth a shilling piece, and Us
he handed it te me said
"Havc you the change, ma'am!"
81 really don't think have penny in the
house. But will sec."
So went to the closet where usually kept
small change in tea cup. But not a copper
WIS there. When announced this fact tho
man looked so unhappy about it, that called
nv hired girl to know il she had couple of
pennies Jemma proved no better offthan my
SELF ,,-ts -s -,t,
whats to be donel" said / looking at my
traveller, who sat balancing himself OH the
hird legs of the chair, and looking rs solemn
as the grave. .ft .f. ~. -.
"Pm sure don't know was his solemn re-
ply, "perhapse you can borrow from neigh
Dor. .,,-,-.-... .f...s
"From neighbor! There's mono within a
quarter of mile, and certainly shall not 60
that far 20 borrow two pence"
began to feel annoyed.
"Well, ma'am,'' he looked scrions and spoke
firmly. 81 want my change What's to be
doncp
happy thought flashed through my mind,
and answered with as grave countenanco rs
possible
81 don't SEQ what you will do unless you eat
out the change"
"Eat out the change!' he exclaimed, taken
little by surprise.
ats the best can be DONE said already
beginning to enjoy the scene.
Involuntarily my guest laid his hand upon
his stomach, straightened himself up, and
seemed to be testing his capacity for holding
an ounce more Of food.
81 don't believe / can swallow another
mouthful,' he remarked, doubtingly, while his
eyes ranged over the table. 1.a
"It's your only change | was already
half smothercd with suppressed laughter, but
l kept my gravity
The man sighed hestated, surveyed the
table, and at length drow up with an air of
desperate resolution. Another slice of cold
meat was transferred to his plate, another piece
of my home made bread ovcrlaid with stra- |
tum of fresh butter, and another pint tumbler |
filed with milk. Then began the work of ap-
propriating these. Poor fellow! He mnde
but slow progress: and was compelled in the
end, though evidently with great reluctance,
to leave his two pence worth Of provender but
half consumed, While striving to induce his
reluctant stomach to receive another mouthfu |
of bread and meat his eyes caught sight in
looking glass of the laughter-suffused face of
"my Jemima,' when starting up, with an air of
insulted dignity, he left the table and the house
mut,ering, in low tone, something about
''taking advantage of strangers" fG
The NEGRO RAcE.--Bayard Taylor, writing
from Nubia, in Upper Egypt, says; "Those
friends of the African race, who point to
Egypt as proof of what that race has accom-
,,l;chcd WHOLLY mist bon, The nnlv ueoro