The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-12-05
BURNT CORK AT A DISCOUNT.
Young Mans Ruse and a Young La
dy,s Wit.

A Young Mans Ruse and Young La
dy's Wit.
Philopena ~ It is seid to have orig
mated in Germany, and as it goes is a
harmless custom, the source of no little
amusement, and in the case we are about
to relate was productive of something
akin to " fun alive" At a party in this
city, a short time ago, a gentleman and
lady went through the ceremony of dis
| posing of the twin kernels of an almond,
and, contrary to the usual custom, the
lady stipulated that if she should be
successful in saying "philopena first,
she should have ring of certain
unique and costly pattern; and he, in
turn-well, what do you think he did
Why, the "horrid thing" actually had
the impudence to do little stipulating
on his own account. In case he lost, he
agreed to draw his greenbacks for the
purchase of the aforesaid ring, providing
she, in the event of losing, would per-
NIT him to kiss her in public-say at
the first party they attended after the
wager was decided. This was agreed to.
and each went home thinking up plan
to outwit the other.
y The young lady made no secret of the
| affair, and confidently told all her lady
friends that she couldn't hell but win,
as she was determined to be so very,
very cautious. She was sure it would
mortify her dreadfully if she should be
compelled to offer her cheek to the i'm
pudent fellow before crowd of people.
Besides, she actually wanted Just such
ring as she had bargained for No fear
of her losing. She would like to see
the masculine who could outgeneral
her. Indeed she would.
Now Charlie CHATS his name), even
in these hard times, wouldn't mourn
much at the loss of ring. but when he
heard that his fair antagonist had ad-
vertised him as " fiat, whom it would
be so easy to capture, his pride was
touched, and he resolved to go for that
kiss with all the energy he could COM
mand. He made up his mind that, if
he should fail, he would ever after be
in favor of woman suffrage, and shake
hands across the bloody chasm with
Anna Dickinson and Susan B. Anthony.
In truth, he had pretty much made up
his mind that he ought, in such a case,
to leave the capital and take up his res
idence in New Haven-in the "Third
Ward" where he could vote for woman
suffrage every day in the year. But,
as we remarked above, he didn't intend
to fail. He had already hit upon plan
that he thought would work. That plan
was burnt cork.
One night not long ago Charles got
himself up for the occasion in a manner
that would have done credit to the "boss"
Ethiopian delineator, and headed for
Lords Hill" The lady lives in that
direction, and if this was not strictly
true story we would give her name.
When Charlie started from home, he
thought his disguise complete; but by
the time he reached the postoffice his
faith in burnt cork had shrunk almost as
much as some of the Wall street securi-
ties, and he greatly feared Detection. To
test his disguise he dropped into Conk-
Inns, where he was known by all hands.
He asked the price of pair of gloves.
"Fifty cents" answered the gentleman
ly clerk. "Too much," said Charlie. !
''All de money Use got in the world am
fifteen cents" just then ''Conk" step
ped up and told him that owing to the |
hard times business was not quite so
brisk as usual, and he should make a
liberal discount on the gloves. 'In |
fact" said he, "PIl make you present |
of 'em."
Charlie put the gloves in his pocket |
and walked out, feeling that his dis
guise was complete.
Twenty minutes later 'fcolored gem |
man" stood at the front door of GER
tain aristocratic mansion 'ton the hill," |
waiting for Miss, whom the servant
had gone to summon. She soon made
her appearance, wondering what a col
ored man could possibly want of her.
And not until she reached out her hand
for a proffered package, and heard the
word ''Philopeanp p did she
the trick. A tri1e less
than one second after Charlie heard the
word ''Wretch - and he glided down
the walk followed by cast iron UNI
hat the indignant Miss - could get
1old of.
"I don't care" she said, ''he is just
IS mean as he can be-" Then she went
10 her room and gave vent to her out
aged feelings in the usual feminine
is, she had right down good
,ry, all by herself. She wouldn't
ARE so very much if Charlie wouldn't
ell of it; but she knew well enough that
le would. And he did. The very next
lay every girl and fellow in their circle
new it, and poor Miss - felt awfully
worked up" in consequence. The girls
III declared that she was too high spir-
ted to let him kiss her after playing
uch an ungentlemanly trick. But what
ould see do? Hadn't she promised
The only way she could escape paying {
he wager was to absent herself from !
'arties. That was an alternative she
7ould be little likely to accept. What ,
hen? 1
To make long story short, little /
arty was given, last week, to which !
10Th Charlie and the young lady were {
invited. Charlie was on hand early,
ressed in his very best, ready and de-
ermined to claim the forfeit. When
be party had all assembled, and no
Iiss - being present, Charlie, who
ad gloated over his triumph in advance,
7as evidently annoyed. Just then a
ady, closely veiled, came into the room,
nd was introduced as Miss -. Char
ie stepped briskly forward, ascribing
he fact of her being yelled to motives
delicacy, and raised the veil. Did he
iss her? MOI Amid the most terrific
eals of laughter, he retreated to the
pposite side of the room. The tables
7ere turned. The handsome-featured
Iiss - stood before him. but her
eautiful complexion was as black as
urnt cork could make it. Charlie .
id'nt claim the kiss. Burnt cork was
a discOunt