The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-09-30
T--@7-7--7--7--7777
Miscellany.
Private Pudding; or How s"e o"Sc'
anne HI

MANY wears AGO a Heosier, who had Just |
struck AT New Orleans for the first time, after |
his tiat-boat was made snug and fast, went M |
to see the sights of the city. Passing ST
Charles Hotel, he stopped Immediately in
front, and looking up, seemed to serutinize
the building with the eye o. an architectural
connoIsseur.
After satisfying his gaze he asked a nasser-
by what building it was, and being told it was
hotel he inquired for the entrance. and be-
ing shown, he assembled the steep steps. APP
proachlng the office he inquired for the land
lord whom he asked if he could get "bite"
OF something to eat. Mr.. E. r. Nudge, who
was host at that time. and who is a host at all
times, humoring the fellow, told him he could
do so by paying dollar Alter considering
for some ii ne on this item and graveiy look
ing his host in the face, he said, swell I'll go
it; thar's my dollar, whars your dinner?"
at is not ready yet but take a seat at the
table, and you can amuse yourself with the
papers tor half an hour, when you will hear
the gong. which will inform you that dinner
is ready" THE Song-what is that p, asked
the Hoosier. 'Ob, you will find ont when
you hear it," replied Nudge Satisfied with
this answer, the HooSier, after looking around
him, sat down and rummaoed over the pa
pers. lime sped on at the customary rate,
when suddenly the oong sounded, and as
usual the crowd novel for the dining room
recovering from his astonishment at the
noise oil The gong, and seeming the delicious
fumes OF the dinner, the Hoosier made rush
through the crowd for seat, but being met
by the host he was conducted to his allotted
chair. The gentlemen seated on each side OF
him, as well as the gentleman opposite, had
their wine before them.
After finishing his soup, and having his
plate well filled, the Hoosier observed the
gentlemen helping themselves freely to wine.
fba hotflo IF hic
Dor, he attempted tohelp himself, when he was
modestly informed thatit was private" The
Hoosier did not seem to understand. and with
blank soft OF look, resumed his knife and
fork. On laying them down again, and hay
ing apparently come to the conclusion that II
could not all be 'private" wine, he seized hold
OF his LETT hand friends bottle. stop, if YOU
please, SIR said the offended individual with
aherce look, that is private wine, SIR" The
Hoosler looked still more astonished, and it
beng hard case, thought he would make
another trial anyhow So reaching across
The table he seized the bottle opposite to him,
and was Just in the act OF filing his glass,
when his Uis ois re-echoed, "private wine,
sir, if you please" and withdrew the bottle
from the fearful leakage it was about to under
go.
The "green 'un" becoming enraged at being
foiied on every side, and observing that there
was general simpering and tittering among
the waters, turned on the servant who stood
at the oack OF his chair, and who had taken
away his plate for the fifth or sixth time, and
cried out to him with an oath to bring back
his plate, and that it he took it away again,
"ne'd be dod rotted if he didn't draw his
picker on him." and suiting the action to the
word, put his hand into his bosom, showing
the handle OF huge bowie-kniie.
After this, things went on quietly, till the
desert was Ollt on the tahla 1uhan laroa
Charlotte Russo pudding was set right before
the Hoosier. Fhis, he Immediately drew near
his plate, and looking right and left at his
nei3hbors he helped himself to large portion
OF 1t. Keeping his eyes fixed on the dish
while eating, he perceived his right hand
neighoor attempting to withdraw the dish from
~him. NO. you don't, Mister" said the Hoo
sier to him, '.that thar puddin' is private pud-
din, Sir" The left hand gentleman not OBJ
serving what had passed, then said, "Anow
me to take that pudding, ?" "No, you can't
thai thar puddin'," said the Hoosier with a
scowl, "that's private puddn.'" And he re-
helped himself. Shortly after the gentleman
opposite was IN the act of drawing the dish
over to him. Hold on, Mister" said the Hoo
sier, with look OF triumph, I'D have you
Know that is private puddin,'" while at the
same time he put his thumb to his nose and
made sundry gyrations with his fingers. "You
can't come it over me-" he continued, feeling
that joke had been practiced upon him.
"Private wine, Ell ?"
The attention OF the table being attracted
during the latter scene, the gentlemen around
burst into roar of laughter, and soon the
whole story was whispered from one to anoth-
er. The thing took so well that every gentle
man was induced to send bis bottle to the
Hoosier, with his compliments; and our
green Jun" soon became as merry as lord.
Hiccouehing as he lett the table, he turned
around to the gentlemen and said; We'll, old
lmcl fellows, you lhie) couldn't (hic) come it
over lhic) me with your (hic) private wine"
The glasses fairly danced upon tee table with
the uproar ana laughter which this last re-
mark created, and the Hoosier staggering out
OF the room made the best OF his way back to
his hoat