Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1871-06-08
A Lesson in Civility.

A few days ago, says a correspondent,
laughable incident occurred to dis
turb the quet of the hospitable Berk
shire household where l am visiting.
NV genial host, who is fine specimen
of the old school gentleman, sat on the
sunny piazza in his farming rig, smok-
ing his favorite clay pipe, when
stylish team dashed up the drive with a
great flourish, and one of the two male
bipeds who occupied the carriage called
out, as they drew up before the door,
" ii allo, old fellowI Is this Oaks ?"
"Yes," said Mr.. Oaks, coolly, somewhat
astonished at the salutation. "Wel,
then" throwing the reins to the sup
posed menial, and jumping out, " this
is the place, but what anybody ever
built such great ark of a house for, up
here among the hills, beats me. Here,
you put up my horses and rub 'em
down, and feed 'em well, and see you
don't half do it, and then show us the
fishing-pond, or brook, or whatever it
is, where them trout live, and the
woods where we shall find them pigeons
we've heard so much about" And
they strobe through the open door into
the sitting room. Both were dressed in
real sporting costume, one equipped
with rifle and game-bag, the other with
tshing-rod, tackle and basket, looking,
with all their fanciful accoutrements,
much more appropriate to figure in
tableau than for actual service in the
field. Mr.. Oaks called some one to
care for the team, and went himself to
show them the way to the sporting
grounds, coming back exceedingly
amused to find us all rather indignant.
They have ordered dinner to be ready
at precisely 3" he said, "with the pro-
viso, that while you are about it, you
shall get them something fit to eat"
"And what shall 1 do about it 2'' asked
Jennie, my hosts daughter. ooh
have everything ready for them in good
shape, and treat them as well as you
can." The order was carried out to the
letter. They came back, tired and hun
CRY, with nothing of any consequence
in the way of game clustered round,
swore at their guide for not showing
them the right place; ordered brandy
and water, and INDUCED in little more
profane language when told that there
was nothing of the kind in the house !;
did ample justice to the dinner; called
Miss Jennie Betty and Bridget when
she went in with the desert, as her
father insisted she should, and asked
if she had ever been to tunn, or seen
the steam keers." After dinner they
lounged around, smoked cigars and ex-
perforated on the carpet, and at last
called out to their host, "Look here,
old two hundred and seventy-five, get
our team, and be quick about it. 1t is
deuced mean for us to come away out
here and not get any fish, and not see
Oaks after we've heard so much about
his droll stories; but suppose you can
tell us what our bill is, old avoirdupois." )"
You are quite welcome to what you
have had," was the reply, Gas this not
hotel, and l am William Oaks, as
could have told you some time ago had
you inquired for the master of the
house." You never saw two fellows so
crestfallen. They stammered over no
end of incoherent apologies of how
they had often seen fish and game at
the station, ten miles away, which the
fortunate possessors said came from
Oaks, and had many times seen parties
going to and from the same place and
had jumped at the conclusion that it
was public house. Mr.. Oaks accepted
their apologies in the peculiarly happy
and graceful manner which renders him
so popular, and told them little story,
very much to the point, upon the beau
ty of civility, and as Miss Jennie came
down stairs just then, dressed in q
heavy black silk visiting suit, he called
to her, and as she came forward, intro
duced her with his old-fashioned courtly
grace as, "My daughter, gentlemen |!
The mistress of her old fathers house,
and the pride of his heart" They
awkwardly, sprang into the carriage
which was waiting, and drove rapidly
down the mountain road. A friend
coming in soon after had met and re-
cognized them in the ravine, so that
our curiosity in regard to their names
and occupation was gratifed.