Litchfield enquirer., 1862-11-20
nlisfellanp.
OUTER AND INNER.
BY GEORGE ARNOLD.
THR SMILING MASK,

I oC P0uScu' SIacS III uduu, TOT BO lOUX tlm that modestly suggested
 Drink my healthv
 Lovely woman-God bless herv croake Hal Forsyth.
 No, Forsyth" said our host we want sent ment not sentimentality Go on Paul.
 Thank you, said Ryder; very neatly pu Gentlamen, give you our worthy host. Mr Albert Peyton. With a mind as clear an, strong as co.niac heart as mellow and ricl as old port; soul sparkling and spiritual a champaigne; he is the man of all others to pre- side at board like ths.'
 We drank the toast in bumpers and calico upon Peyton to respond.
 I always had respect for the custom of re turning compliments.' he said, and therefor, will give you the health of Mir. Paul Ryder = With mind as sweet and delicate as banan. Eeart as warm as baked potato; soul al strong and crisp as an onion and head like
 A cabbage cried Grahame Allen.
 'Sence!' sad Peyton. You put me out With head like the desk of popular publish CT
 Obscure ' exclaimed: 'explain the sim | ile'
 Explain. explain " chorusel the others. "Why head whence one may draw novels comedies. tragedies, satires, tales, poems ser mons, jokes, farces. advertisement, essays, bur lesques, letters, melodramas, editorials, criti cisms, and everything else that was ever written by anybody! Isn't that like publishers desk ?
 GOT second handbook stall added Forsyth none of them good for anvthins' ] 'Con,lemned out of his ow n mouth,' murmcr ep Cecil Dashe. saw copy of The Ruin ed Family on Nassau street bookstall the other day.
 The Ruined Family''w was Hal Forsyth's first last, and only novel.
 Progress Peyton," said Ryder; I am dy l ing to know what am. with all the beautiful vegetable attributes you ascribe to me-. i Peyton glanced at Pauls plate. It was sur. rounded by an army of empty dishes, and piles of parings.
 What you are? Why the right man in the right place to be sure. And such drink your health
 I say suddenly began Sam Hackett, from the further end of the table, 'why shouldn't $ man drink. when his own health is proposed 2 1 A conumd rum y cried I. 'Hacketts first joke tonight Now then, why should not s m m drink when his own health is proposed ! use--because-guess it, some of you'
 I've heard it before,' said Allen with a clev CT air of sincerity.
 Hackett astonished to find his simple inqui " thus distorted inro conundrum, tried to ex plain. but was slenced. I know 1! said Forsyth. He must not drink then, because it injures the health y All laughed.
 Really said our host. when the wine goes in, the wit comes out Mir. Hackett, ddn' know you were joker. Are you connected with Vanity Fair?' l Not any. replied Hackstt I never mad, joke in my life. leave all that sort of thingi to thess fellows who write burlesques and far ces Music is my stronghold
 'rhat is your forte, said Peyton. We will adjourn to the other room and open the piano directly. It was bunch of keys with whicl you Can certainly unlock our hearts But his one serious word. How have yon found my ta be? Tell me the truth, for wish to be con scientious in my epcureunsm.
 Feai, viai, rici said Paul, pointing to hi pla.e and the dibris about it.
 T shall think of that game on my death bed said Allen with sigh.
 ''The"e was young and tender goose stuff ed with marons.' said I. ."with whom furret an intimate and dephttuI friendship. At tn beginning there was only one stuffed goose. no, there are two.'
 That dish is pet with the cook said Pey ton. He only gets it up on occasions of stat. and ayers that it is his chefd' <rurre'
 Tell him that he has gained disciple by it said l. I believe in him. If men lived alway on such fare crime and wickedness would dsar pear from the earth
 T think such plat is conducive to good n: ture." replied Peyton. It was melting an, tender aeshed bird. Those among you whe ar familiar with omit hological nomenclature wi understand my al!usion when say that "a so Ansper turueth way wrath Let us go in an have some music.'
 He touched the bell and servant came in.
 :Take some cigars and the brazier into tb drawing room. and open the piano."
 We arose from the table by simultaneor feeling of readiness and followed our host int the adjourning apartment large room, fur ished with rosewood and crimson; hung wit some choice paintings: lighted ny chandelier with opane shades. and filled with the accum lated knick-knackery of ten years travel in . parts of tn e world
 Sam Hackett Sat easily down to the piano. a doubled-grand Erard-and played in his mo enchanting and delicious manner, improvising brilliant movement in F., and introducing sorts of airs and waltzes that he knew we like
 In music. and in the kind Of conversation have fantly outlined, the night wore pleasant sway. Our host knew better than any other