Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-01-27
POMPEY,S PILLAR.


and, by others, as early as 1910, with Somers,
Gates and Newport. Their names are not
mentioned by Prince. The PRESUMPTION is
that they came under fsigned names, Mullins,
perhaps; there were five of them. The famiIy
has prodigiously increased and covered the
earth, as the waters cover the deep. Sally has
oeen known to write quire of foolscap, in
beautiful running hand r 40,) before break
fas< without the least mental effort or stop-
ptp4 10 think for one moment; and KATY of a
fne summers day, can out-talk o steam
whsstie Indeed, since Redhefer's expert
nsnt, nothing has come quite so nearly up to
perpetual molten as the action of Katy Cackle's
tongue. As We said, the increase of this fam
ily, especially the Caekles, is prodigious.
Widows, wives, and maiden ladies of no mar
tieular age, the Cackles are everywhere. We
nave three in our boarding house.
When they are under full steam, all three Of
them, the idea Of getting word in edgeways is
an aosurdity. Several gentlemen have al
ready left our house on account of the utter
impossibility of carrying on any rational con-
Versanon; and Mr. Bundle, an intelligent
elderly gentleman, declared this very morning
that ne could stand ii no longer. =" If these
ladies, said he, "would do up their idle talk
ing In their own rooms, or in a corner, or in a
soto voice, Ii might be endurable; but. when
others are conyersing, they draw near, and
upon the very first opportunity interrupt the
conversation, totally mistake the subject, 90
on at right angles upon some particular word,
and stop the mouth Of the original speaker
completely"
Now Mr.. Bundle is a man of sense. and has
seen much Of the world-and his conversation
Is exceedingly amusing and instructive; we
young folks delight to gather round the old
gentleman, and listen; and very sincerely re-
gret, that he is 50 constantly interrupted. and
annoyed, by our lady boarders Miss Tabitha,
Susanna and Cynthia Cackle. Tabitha is in
&c
lost the only customer she ever had by a lest.
behind his back, on the tie Of his crayat Su-
sanna lsbors under the delusion, that she il a
very learned body. Cynthia is purely senti-
mental: Awaiting Of my knowledge as Ste
nographer, and taking my position quietly, in
corner Of the room, took down one of our
efforts at conversation q few days since. Per-
haps il may amuse the reader.
Mr. Bundle had been giving us an account
Of his travels in Egypt, and a description of
Pompey's Pillar. He had informed US that
the popular notion, that it was Pompey's GEN.
otaph, was an error, probably occssioned, by
the fact, that Pompey was murdered on the
coast Of Egypt; and that 1t was undoubtedly
erected by Publius, a prefect of Egypt, in
honor OF Diocletian, and not CT Pompey At
this moment, the three Miss CackIes entered
the apartment; and, drawing chairs near us,
exclaimed, as with one voice, 'Isn't it nice p
Mr.. Bundle is going to entertain US, with his
Instructive conversation ~
Cynthia.-Pray do, dear Mr.. Bumble, won't
you?
Susanna.-So do, Mr.. Bumble, wsT be all
attention.
Tabitha.-Come, Mr.. Bundle, you canno.
resist the importantly OF US all. I'm sure you
can't.
Bumble.-well, ladies, I was speaking of
Pompey, and -
Cynthia.-Dear me, why how do YOU talk.
Mr. Bumble; you knew POmpey, then! Dear
me 1t is very surprising, isn't it? Where
did you ever see him, Mr.. Bundle? Wby he
lived in our family, ever so long. He was a
dear old soul, could tell you a sight of sto-
ries- 1 never shall forget how, one night, be
killed our tOmcat, accidentally Of course. not
Intentionally, Mr.. Bundle, can assure Won.
POmpey had a tender heart, and thought it a
SIN TO take the life Of any living thing; and
Susanna.-A disciple of Pythagoras, and a
believer in tho doctrine Of the meiempsychosis,
undoubtedly. In regard to these opinions.
which the Hindostanese, as you are we'll
aware
Cynthia, Whose hearing is quite imperfect
viii tell you the comicaiist story about that
tOmcat. One day, he
Tabiths-Iou forget that Mr.. Bumble is
going TO tell us something about Pompey.
BUNDLE 1t is about Pompey's Pillar, Ia
dies, that was speaking
Cynthia.|(Advancing her earl What is it
he says?
Tabitha.-CSpeaking loud and intending to
be witty Mr.. Bundle says he will tell us
something about POmpey's Pillow
Cynthia-NObody need tell me ANYTHING
about that, If you mean his dying pillow, Mr.
Bundle. L watched by the side Of poor Pom
pey's dying pillow; for, though he was black
he was our fellow-creature, you know That
reminds me Of the tom cat. Are you partial to
cats, Mr.. Bundle? If you are, can tell Won
one OF the most interesting stories of one that
, belonged to my Aunt Cackls. That cat, if
you'll believe it, that cat
Susanns.-Miss Cynthia, you entirely mis-
take the matter. Mr.. Bundle wishes TO give
US an account of Pompey's Pillar, at the foot
OF which, as your historical reading must in
form you, Caesar fell by the daggers Of assas-
sins 1t will refresh your memory 1t was
upon the 10Th, the Ides Of March. Caesar was
In the Senate house; and, while
Bumble.-Excuse me, Miss Susanna, was
speaking of POmpey's Pillar, near Alexandria,
not of his statute.
Susanna believe, Mr.. Bundle, am per-
fectly correct, and am sure have read an
account of ii in CGsar's Commentaries. have
copy which came into my possession in a sim
yular manner In September, 1S55-the 18th
think IL was-let me see-it was tie very day
l. bought my new mantilla. You know Tabi.
tha, bow much you admired that mautilla
can tell you the day to 4 certainty. I'll lust
run up to my chamber and get the bill.
Tabitha NO pray, don't. Do let Mr. Bum.
bic proceed with bis story.
Bumble:-tRathsr crustily.) You say, Miss
Susanna, that you have read an account of
Caesars death in his Commentaries. OF course
he rose from the dead to write them will
endesvor to proceed, with your permission, la
dies Pompey was murdered by the agents of
Ptolomy In Egypt; and after
Cynthia--Oh, Mr.. Bundle, Mr.. Bumble
how can you say so! 1 can take my bodily
oath that he was not murdered but died OF
crsmp In the stomach, in our upper chamber
at my fathers house in Sudbury street. The
house is still standing, and will 90 with you,
any day you please, Mr.. Bundle, and show
you the room In which be died. Poor Pompey
never was in Egypt in all bis born days; and,
rs To being murdered in Egypt or anywhere
else, he was the kindest soul that ever lived,
and nobody would have hurt him. Ny mother
Is still living, and was in the chamber when he
died. How such a strange report got about,
IN sure i can't imagine. There was q man