The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-06-26

l was not suffered to remain long in re-
pose; nigger, holding in his hands
huge araitcr, covered with somo empty
plates, entered the door and marched richt
up to me, first man. The brilliant idea
flashed on my mind that this mancuvcr was
only prelude to setting the table, and the
pantomi'ne poking the machine with emp
ty plates OH it towards me was quickly in
terpretcd by me to signify that lie desired
little assistance, or, in other words, that he
expected me to hold the concern, whilst lie
brought in the table, spread the cloth, DC.
On this hint | acted. Springing up hurri-
cdly, for fear Of exposing my ignorance of
Auut ton, seized the institution which he
he'd out to me with both hands, and strovc
to discngage it from the servant.
Now came a scene-thc servant backed
for~ar'cd, shook the acaiier, until the
plates thereon jng'eJ again, to satisfy him
that had good grip on it, aud that he
might safely give it up; whispering, hy
LAY of quieting his apprehcnsions, Tve
got it-let 60! But the black rascal hung
ON manfnlIy. Up to this point my eyes
had been directed to the water, now l
looked up in the servants face; it was in a
broad grin. ivory all exposed, as he said,
Let SO, massa."
A lIasty glance around the room assured
me that had played "thc divi," and
committed some horrible breach of etiquette.
| let 60 the waiter rs if it had been red
hot. and, ut that instant, would have been
delighted to let go all hold on existence
and all mundane appurtenances, and would
have been willing, in the bargain, TO have
signed q deed of REIMBURSEMENT to every
thing expected the Old man, my father,
would bequeath Inc, for the happy privi-
lego of shutting off this mortal COLI on
the spot. l fell back into my seat, feel
ing worse than any criminal But my
trials had not yet ended-the Internal SER
want again approached me; again WAS at
loss to divine what lie wanted me to do
moment ago, it was clear that lie did not
desire my assistance in supporting the
waiter Of plates Low, it occurred to me,
| rs no one else came forward to relieve him.
he had changed his mind. and had con-
cluded to accept "ail and comfort" from
; mo, whom h" al l'"nor"h hy su"! t!a:tcr
ing preference, on first entering the room.
rs TO single out as his first assistant w;ile,
holder in ordinary.
"Just as was reaching on, nv hand 10
clutch the waiter again, overheard angel
Angelina say to that dandy, Bob Sutton,
whom intend to whip if l ever catch him
out of Mobile, Pray, dear, Mr.. Sutton,
don't move or say word, but wait and
only see what IL will do next At the
moment these words conveyed no mean
ING to my mind, rs the servant was lust
then making 4 communication to me Of
an interesting character. In obedience to
llis Instructions / nervously took an empty
plate from the waiter. The other rucsts
likewise helped themscles to empty plates
brISkly on the heels of the first servan,
came another, whose waiter was covered
with empty cups and saucers. lie, also,
made break at me first. l began to
feel that knew all about matters. With
c"mmcndablc sang .tToid provided myself
with all empty cup and saucer; the other
guests ditto. l saw another waiter with
eatablcs and another with drinkables ap-
proacl'ing, and having both hands entirely
occupied, one in holding my plate, and
the other my cup and saucer, began to
discern breakers in the distance. AS 1 had
but two hands, and they both engaged, it
was demonstrated that if l got anything
to eat or drink, somebody would have to
he'p me- and once helped, if got any
tning IN my mouth besides the tea, some
body would have to put it there. The
i'nl's OF darkness came to me as usual,
| first.
Lave some lea, Mr.. Brissona His
hands were both required to sustain In.
waiter; mine, to support my plate, cup and
saucer. really wanted some ten. LINT 70
getl: was manifestIy out of the question,
SO answered,
mo, l thank you, wouldn't choose anv.'
do take some tea," urged Mrs. General
Jones, from the other side of the room
you'll iind it very nice, Mr.. Brisson,"
No, l thank you, man," says I, seeing
no possible way to get myself helped if I
said yes; Il AIN. not fond Of tea" which
was ns big lie as ever was told, but what
was fellow to doa ' "H
"The tea passed along, and next came
waiter grooming under bcuntiful supply
0! cold turkey, col ham, Clipped tvenison,
cakes, DC. 'Although,I was very hungry.
in"pardly 'py prayed TO be skipped that this
cup might pass. d, Bpt sqt no, tbp waiter stops
before -Ine. felt assneryous jerking gand
Il "a II