Washington sentinel., 1853-11-10
@asbingtou Sfntinsl
OYSTERS;
. OR A FASHIONABLE TAKEN. :
BY INVISIBLE GREEN, ESQ.

dashing young merchant, who had long been
resident of the hotel, and who is noted for his
whole souled hospitality had been teased for
some weeks by a number of female acquaint-
ances to give an oyster supper to his friends
of both sexes He did not relish the idea
much, particularly as he believed it was with
the oysters and not him that the ladies were
so over anxious to spend the evening. He at
last, however, consented to give the. tete, re-
solving in his own mind to test the friendship
of his guests.
He IS one Of those dashing fellows who never
| do things by halves, and as soon as his decis
| ion was known, there was no little anxiety
among his female acquaintances to receive q
| billet doar, or in more common parlance, an
invite to the fandango." "Dick," for that is
the familiar name by which he is known,
invited about forty couples, and made every
arrangement to I" do the thing up brown"
The largest parlors, and the extensive dining
hall in the house were engaged expressly for
the occasion. Those who we're invited con-
sidered themselves particularly fortunate, and
Dicks oyster supper was for many days the
main topic of conversation in certain circles of
bon ton. Ladies invited to an oyster supper.
How romantic how RECHERCHE
The evening came. Carriage after carriage,
equipage after equipage, drove up to the pri-
vate entrance Of the B Hotel, and emp
tied at the door precious loads of silks and
standing collars, diamonds and kids, laces and
goatees, braced up beaux and bellies. Dick
was mt his post, and received his guests with
all the politeness of "a Darcy.
The ladies were in an exceedingly happy
humor, caused no doubt by bright anticipations
of myriads of oysters--fried, stewed, baked,
fricaseed, souped, and scolloped, la mode.
The gents with the prospect of the enjoyment
of good supper directly before them, and sur
rounded with the choice Of dashing Dicks lady
friends, could not possibly prevent being elated
into the most joyful mode. Not an invited
| guest was absent, so anxious were the ladies
| to partake Of Dicks oysters, and the gents to
accommodate the ladies.
| The parlors were brilliantly illuminated, and
at given signal delicious music from choice
band charmed the ears Of his guests and sent
them whizzing and skipping through the grace
ful polka and the rapturous mazurka. Dicks
! magnificent hospitality was loudly praised, SO
charmed were all with his grand preparations
for their enjoyment.
"Really, Mr.. ," said young lady TO the
host, whom he had Just led through the may
waltz, really, / did not anticipate such bril-
liant evening. ] presumed that you merely
intended social gathering, that we might be
permitted to enjoy your company, and
1 "Oysters," interrupted Dick, with smile.
.Oh! fe, Mr., have scarcely thought
4 Of oysters during the evening. To be sure the
/ gathering Of ladies to an oyster supper is q
4 novelty, but then the novelty is lost in the
/ pleasure Of meeting SO hospitable a friend as
our host on this occasion
"You would hatter me, Miss --, and have
me believe that am indebted to your company
this evening solely from the pure promptngs OF
| friendship
"Indeed you are, Mr. -, and warrant if
oysters had not been mentioned, not one OF as
| would have been absent this evening"
"You compliment me highly, indeed" replied
the host.
At that moment supper was announced, by
the band playing the Hunge1-ian march. With
precise step and military exactness, the gay
and happy company proceeded to the supper
room.
How their delicate hearts throbbed as they
beheld the table filled with covered dishes, all,
no doubt, full of oysters. How the ladies al
most danced with JOY as they beheld mani
moth vases with tall and graceful stalks of
celery, the indispensable accompaniment to the
savory contents Of Baltimore shells. They were
about to realize the long-wished for privilege Of
partaking of an outand-out oyster supper; and,
as most of them had not eaten anything for
twelve hours (their anticipations were Strongly
it may be imagined that they almost greedily
took their seats That his guests might not
suffer any "yexatious delays" mine host had
been careful to have a servant at every seat,
and no sooner were the company seated, with
Dick at the head of the table, than the regu
larly drilled walters commenced their fashion
able manipulations.
Gone ~ cried the steward, and every servant
stood erect "Twoln and each extended a
hand across the table, "Three!I and forty
hands, from as many walters, touched the COW
er of a dish on the table, The anxiety of the
ladies to look upon the dainty eastern luxuries
which had been prepared for their dainty appe-
| tites was now intense, and tor once they seem
| ed to think that the useless table ceremonies
| Of fashion might be dispensed with. "Four!"
| shouted the steward, and away few the covers
quick as lightning, displaying to the longing
| eyes Of the guests forty carefully prepared
dishes Of crackers and cheese There was ev-
| ery variety. --old cheese and new cheese, crum-
bled cheese. sliced cheese, mild cheese, and
| biting cheese Boston, butter, soda, pilot, su-
| gar. and forty other kinds Of crackers; yet the
! guests looked bewildered. To the polite ques-
| tt;on of the waiter, "Will de lady hab de crum-
! bled or de sliced sheese p no answer was given;
| while. "What crackers will de gentleman pre-.
! fer 2" was asked In vain. Ihe guests looked
| at the dishes, at each other, and at the host,
who sat at the head of the table,
"--Above the rest
| In shape and gesture proudly eminent
Dick pretended not to observe the confusion
of his guests, but in the most happy manner
ordered two slices Of cheese with Boston
cracker well buttered! While the servant was
filing the order, Dick talked pleasantly to
| those on his right and left, and urged all pre-
sent TO make themselves at home. With the
hope that oysters would appear in the second
| course, some who had almost starved them
selves to give the oysters room, called Tor
| cracker or bit Of cheese. Dick ate heartily,
and having satisfied his appetite and none Of
! his guests appearing willing 10 indulge IN his
! magnificent repast, he invited them again to
the parlors to resume the merry dance. Bnt
the services Of musicians were no longer need.
ed. Some Of the ladies were suddenly seized
with dreadful headache, others announced
4 ns had l1u