The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-08-03
From the Harerley Magazine.
Mn
BY HENRY ALLEN

by HENRY ALLEN.
There were six of us, all young men, sea.
ted in the parlor of country tavern, one
wlntry morning about daylight, and pass
ing away the time by chatting on various
subjects. We had been dancing all night,
nearly, and, as the house did not afford
sleeping accommodations for us all, and it
had been determined not TO start home until
daybreak, we had set up while the remainder
tried to catch little sleep before We re-
turned home. Various things had been
talked out and we were about to want for
subject, when our circle was joined by an
old gentleman, a traveller, who bad risen
thus betimes to be early on his journey,
and who came 10 ask permission to sit by
our fire and warm before starting, as there
was no other yet lighted.
OF course such q request from an elderly
weilappearing gentleman was readily gran
ted, and bringing chair, and seati pg him
self between cousin of mine and myself,
he listened carefully to our conversation.
After brief period we ceased, however and
Tor some moments nothing was said by any
one; when Joe M-called out for some
one to suggest something to converse on, or
we should be asleep. But we had said
our say and could think of nothing; for
tunately, it was not so with our friend, the
traveller, who broke in wilh,--.-
well, gentlemen, if you have nothing
better, let me suggest subject to you. l
would Ike all your opinions, first as to
which is Of the most importance big or
little words, and which word of the class
majority Of you shall say is greatest, is of
them the chief. You understand the sub
jects And now, my young friend, let US
hear, first, from you, so as not to have the
matter drag at the same time laying his
hand upon my cousins shoulder.
well, said the person addressed, taken
considerably aback by the question, for my
part am OF the opinion that the large
words are of the most importance, and pro-
duce the greatestresults. So you my count
me 10 favor ofwords Of more than one syI-
liable, and, if necessary, willsendeavor to
prove it to you after bearing the other side
of the Question.
A few minutes proved him ip the minori-
tyy, as there was but one of the remaining
five who agreed With him, and he wished
to change bis mind after hearing the rest.
Having thus settled the class, we began
hunting the word, and each supported bis
claim by argument, which often included
anecdotes dpropos to the subject. Each oi
the contestants had picked out a diffsrani
word, and mono Of them would give MP.
Atlast, when We all bad done talking, $sJge
turned to the old gentleman, and .sin are-
pectable tone, asked him bis opinion. He
replied that he thought the most useful, aud
comprehensive word in the language wa.
no..
4 To prove it to tou, gentlemen said he
'let me tell you story Of my own life, which
perhaps, will be sufficient to explain to you
why I think as do Of this word. Forty
years ago I wac, as you are now, young and
fond Of pleasure. Nothing which promised
anything like fun wso. overlooked by me
aud balls and parties were ever Oh nj,
mind. -.
Untiiswithin six months6fa fabs time wber
he occurrence lam abo1rto relate tool
place, I had beep general ID. mysattsntious
10 tothe ladies', sand. Had epasayored Il
show 20 psrtiality toiahy oaaf the bsvy
ofrbesutiful girls Of, one viilSgs. Feeling
1t length tina. this wsswropg, il psnsysres
4 10 teo long, aud thatafb soy bushes. !,
4 rsha Hopes iti4bs minds Of the s3ssEsssss
.aiss vhiehI hss + espssssd "a ias8
3. sobsriy reselssd, ,ta sais one II 6f, sSA.s-s ST
. iIsRss.st Rss tii 81 ssuos
= ~ assssd M ~ |l G. JSts g.
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