The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-05-15
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A.PRIvATE ROOM, OR THE EFFECTS or
PUNCH DRINKING.

One particular dark, damp, dull, drizzl
and disagreeable day, in the latter part Q
November, tall, gauut, queer looking Gus
toner, dressed in n blue coat with yellow
buttons, with "yaler" striped pantaloons
and caif-skin terminations, sat "soitary ant
alone" in little room, situated in certain
little tavern, in -s street, Philadelphia.
before him was little round table, OF
whose marble top was "not little pitche
'of smoking punch, "schreechen hot" ant
a wine glass. The solitary individual wa
3ork-nothin' else, dear chid-and tha
was his second pitcher full-nigh his sec
'ond empty. One minute after. and yol
couldn't-fact, you see-have squeezed {
drop out of either pitcher or glass, by s
Horty-two FOUNDER hydraulic press.
York rang the bell. The waiter popped
his head in the door.
Ring, saa'
"Of course did. Is it clearing off,"
"No, sa-damp, sa-fog so thick, sa
You could ladlc it out til spoon, sa.-
lave anything, sa?"
More punch, and strong"
Yes, sa-immediately, sa."
The waiter withdrew, and in few sec
onds returned with third pitcher Of punch,
and York was beginning to feel glorious,
when, on raising up his eyes, he saw his
own figure in pier glass, directly opposite.
lie rubbed his eyes again.
"By thunder" !" said he, "here's some fcl-
low sitting right before me; I'll swear
there's impudcncc for you! This is pri-
vate room, sir, for my sole accommoda-
tion."
Tic waited minute, expecting an an
swer, but his reflection only stared at him
and held its peace.
= was saying, sir. that this is my pri-
vate room-mine, sir! p cried York, fetch
ing his voice an octave higher than it WAS
before. No answer was made, and he rung
the bell furiously. The waiter made his
appearance again.
Ring, sa?"
ayes, did ring Didn't ask for pri-
vatc rooma''
Yes, 81, this is a private room, sa"
sit isl Why, there's fellow sitting
right opposite me now, on the other side of
the table. Rot his impudence."
"Tablc, sa ?-fellow, sa I"
ayes, there is. Well, just never mind.
Bring CT some more punch and a couple of
glasses"
In a very short time the fourth pitcher,
with two glasses, made its appearance.
York filed one of the glasses, and then
showed it over the table.
"Will you drink ~ said lie, addressing
the figure in the glass.
ooh, you won't, eh Well, IL will"
And so he did
"Bettcr drink, old fellow" continued he.
Your liquor is getting cold, and you look
as if yos was fond Of the thing"
No answer being returned, York finished
the pitcher and rang the bell again. In
popped the waiter.
"Ring, saa"
"To be sure did. Didn't you hear the
b-b-bcll 2"
81 did," replied the waiter
Didn't l order p-p-private room
Eh r.
ayes, sa, this is private room, sa"
A pretty private this is, with f-ffel-
low sitting right opposite that won't take
glass of punch when its offered him, and
FIRED nosed man at that. o, we'll, never
mind, bring moro punch and t.t-tumblers.
I'll try him again"
Presently pitcher number FIVE with glasses
to match, was borne in with due state.
"Better try some, old boy" said York,
coaxingly, to his double. The reflex mere
Iylooked good natured, but said nothing.
SWELL" continued York, with a sigh, "if
this isn't the most infamous. Never mind,
III drink the punch"
Aud 50 he did, every bit of it. About
five minutes sufficed to end the pitcher
York rang the bell superfuriously. The
waiter came again.
Ring, sa9"
"Why certain. Why shouldn't IL
Where's the man-who keeps the placel n
,4Boss, SAT I'll see i'm, sa." 20
'ashoftly after, mine host, quiet looking
siitlo man, wish a mottled, calico pattern
face and q shining bald head, made bis ap-
pearance.
- .E-what's. to payi'' demanded York,
rising and assuming an air Of dignity.
asaFiye punches--fve levies, sir.n /
4There's the money, sir" said York, fork
ing over the coin. ID And now I wan, to
knowsx Why, when I call for private room,
yeu,sLould put me in hero with s-s.some-
BODY elssfaS - asssas *. S'Sc3 l{s:a
tfhssss nobody here but yon and ],
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