The Portland daily press., 1873-11-03

| about the iunketings at the aims house. is a de-
| lightful bit OF romance, and caused many
hearty laugh. But, like all romanees. It is
rather deficient in an important element
truth"
In Wednesdays PRESS there appeared an ar
ticle in which stated under fictitious sigma
ture, that monthly dinners were given and eat
en- at the Aims House. l also stated that these
dinners were expensive, aud that, frequently
a mart of the desert found its way into the peck
cts of the Oyersecrs. In the Ary,ts Of Thurs
day NV little effusion was replied TO by Y. A.
Until Saturday was not aware that my state
ments had reused anybody's interest or indg-
nation else had come sooner TO the front 10
deny Y As denials.
Y. A begins with bit of fiattery, which is
at once soothing and impressive. Having so
sugar-coated and administered his pill he pro-
eeeds to put US upon a diet Of facts-or denial
OF facts-which is supposed to be beneficial TO
my mental and moral organism Into the field
TO which Y. A. has betaken himself have no
hesitation in following him.
The overseers go early in order to do the
business carefully, aud they are not through till
after nine O'Clock. II is not a dinner that Mr.
Merrill prepares, but tea. They are invited to
well call it a dinner for that matter The Ov-
erseers have an idea that while in the actual
service of the city they at least earn their food"
Does he intend this for an argument? If
not, what does he mean? Do the Overseers
"work for their boardg' / am. positive that
some of those gentlemen would be surprised 10
have this matter so presented to them.
First Y, A. calls this affair tea then he calls
it set-down; then he says, ''you may as well
call it a dinner" later he speaks of it as a sup
per. Hot roast meats and dessert, even if serv-
ed at midnight, constitute dinner. Cold meats,
for the third meal of the day, constitute sup
per; while tea is an after thought, and includes
bread, cake, tea, &C., wholly excluding meats.
From the bill of fare subjoined leave the read
er to christen this 'food' for himself A rose
by any other name would smell as sweet:
BILL OF FARE:
RoASTs.
Turkey. Chickens. Ducks.
VEGETABLES.
Potatoes. Beets Turnips.
Celery.
Mince Pies. Custard Pies
Apples. Nuts. Raisins.
lea ana Couee.
Is this what an Overseer calls light tea. Even
John Bull calls rabbit pie "high tea" Wouldn't
the majority of people be rather set up by such
''set-down'' as that?
Y. A. then goes on in a strain gentle but firm
at times jocose.
$50 goodly portion is cooked-and what is
left-the better portion--is served out to those
gray haired men and women and little children,
ms triup then, oil fort ha Thot fil1inO IF
pockets by overseers is rather a tough story,
and if not made by woman, would pass for a
libel, But as it is, it is only pleasant bit of
gossip of a lady who can't come to tea"
All, yes, how glad the men, women and chill
dren must be! but for how short a time!
As regards the filling of pockets, am an
independent woman" and shall not gossip
if can find the wherewithal? Have 1 ears
and shall not hear? eyes, and shall not see?
a pen, and shall not write?
Less than year ago, was one day standing
in store when little girl of my acquaintance
gave me some candy. L refused; but she, to
set my mind at rest, explained-''Oh, I've got
a lot. Papa brought it last night from the
Aims House; he aloays does" Saturday after
noon gentleman who was at one of these set
downs Ia felictons expression, synonymous
VIII tedD tOlu me Inat, at Jne close OF tnag SET
down, one of the Overseers presented him with
a package of outs and raisns 'for the children
at home" This same gentleman gave me the
above bill of fare as that of one 'tea" at which
he was present At another tea, at which he
was also present, there were, as additional at
fractions, roast pig and strawberries and cream.
He also assured me that a table so loaded, for
the entertainment of so few people he had rare
ly seen. So, perhaps, after all, if there are sew
eral strawberri IS left, those men, women and
children are "made glad j"
Had Providence seen fit to endow me with
such faculties and talents as the man Y A.
possesses, would my story "pass for libel?" I
claim the right to say these things under my
own signature since, just year ago. painted
for the Sunday Star the other picture. l spent
two days in informing myself for that purpose
and am indebted to one of the Overseers
for the most frank and thorough courtesy. 1
ignored all these things, for the time was not
yet.
Y. A. fires one more gun:
"When the women get their rights, then this
woman can come in, or if she will marry an
Overseer she will get in this year, for the ladies
DO go to the table once year"
Are Overseers so numerous? At present 1
am positive of but one fact additional. If, in
the course of human events, ever should mar
ry an Overseer," 1 should, SO far as might be,
detain that unfortunate being at home during
the progress of one of these ''set-downs.''
M. s. D.