The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-03-23
THE LAST DINNER.

citement all over the country, IRON the
loss OF the capital and money Of the
Bank of the United States, then COM
PEELED to go out of existence, by the veto
OF President jackson, to the renewal of
it's charter. AS IL was necessary that
the void should be filed, and as speedily
as possible, new banks were authorized
by the State Legislatures to take the
place and furnish the necessary relief to
the community. The Legislature OF Mis-
sissippi, of course, followed the example
of other States, and granted number
of charters to banks, among which was
the Commercial Bank OF Natchez, with
branches, one OF which was at Canton, a
short ride beyond Jackson, In Kinds
County, the capital OF the State.
Desiring to procure some OF the stock,
in the spring OF 1885 saddled my horse,
and, in company with some friends,
started from NatcheZ on the journey.
Our route lay through Jackson, ITO miles
from Natchez, whicn we reached on the
third day, in time for dinner. We put
upat the chief hotel in The city, which
was kept by one of the cleverest land
lords l had ever met with, whose. name
was Gilbert, attentive, courteous, good
naLured anu striving to please. We had
every comfort, and were much refreshed
after our journey by his attentions.
After a most excellent dinner, which he
apologiZed for on account OF our sudden
appearance and equally sudden DEPART
ure, he presented each of US with
bottle of good brandy, and madeus prom
| ise to stop on our way back and take
dinner, 10 which, Of course, we gladly
consented. Mounting his horse he ac-
companied us several miles on the road
to Canton, and againsexacting the prom
ise OF dinner, he took cordial leave
of us, while we continued our ride, ar
irving at our destination in due time.
Much difficulty and delay occurred in
arranging our business, as the demand
for the stock was very great, and as all
could not be supplied, an adjustment
had to be entered into. Pro-rata diVis-
| ions had to be made, applications had
to be examined, and other tedious de-
laying duties attended to before we
could leave, which we finally accom-
plished after a sojourn of three or four
days.
| or course, upon our return to jackson,
we repaired again to the hotel of our
| friend, who received us with his former
goodwill, and soon made US comfortable
and at home. AS we could not tarry be-
| yond the next day, it was understood
| that the promised dinner should come
|
morning we should resume our journey.
| We employed our time examining the
CITY, which is situated Immediately on
the banks OF Pearl River, though boats
can not, or perhaps very rarely, ascend
80 high. 1t was place of considerable
trade at that time, there being no rail-
road, nor in fact was there one in the
! State, therefore business was much Cir
Gums cribed and limited, from the diff
Guilty of forwarding cotton to the rivers
| for shipment.
While waking about the city, l acci-
dentally met an old friend and fellow
traveller, Quaker from Philadelphia, a
partner from the wealthy house of Ca
Ieb Coke & Co., dry goods merchants.
| If all the other partners were like this
one, the founder OF the sect-FOx, be-
| IlieVe-wouId have considered that
Quakerism in Mississippi had suffered
considerable discount from the doctrines
and habits originally laid down by him.
He was quite gay, and from c0nsidera-
BILE experience and sojourn in the West
and South, had acquired some habits
| that might have experienced consldera-
| BILE difficulty in passing muster in the
CITY OF Brotherly Love. He was very
partial to good dinner, liked glass of
| good wine, and plenty OF them, and was
exceedingly addicted to cards, OF which
| think the house aforesaid atterward
had some proofs. OF course invited
him to our hotel, and alter pleasant
evening, he promised to dine next day
with us. From the character Of my host
1 felt confident that any additional
friend of mine woRld be welcome, an
opinion which was fully coincided in
and verified by. the host himself
As our most plays an important part in
the story, l shall describe him. He was
about i've feet nine inches in height,
rather heavy but active; we'll made, bat
not very muscular; a smiling but eX-
citable countenance; dark Dair, very
large, rolling black eyes, greal deal oil
manner, wiLn pleasant, ot-hand bon.
b0Damie style, that made every one know
thai he was glad to see them and were
welcome to whatever he could furnish
for their ease or comfort. He conformed
10 the custom oil the country by wear
ing the bowie-knife, certainly the most
deadly weapon ever invented or used
by man.
Ihave often sat at table with several
hundred guests at hotels, where there
were Just AS many pairs OF pistols and
bowie-kniYes as there were guests, my
self alone excepted, for was OF too ex.
citable temperament to have them SO
handy; and besides, l knew that could
always procure the time to get them il
occasion demanded.
have known one of our distinguished
Governors-A. &. MeNutt--whsn tigur-
ing in the may dance, 10 stumble, and
as he measured his proportions on the
floor a large bowie-knite escaped from
it's sheath over his bosom; and as it slid
along the ballroom floor it caused some
very agile movements on the part OF tile
female devotees OF the pas de deuG, who
had no desire TO take any hand in a
Mississippi (bowie) knife dance, or have
as partners blades OF that description.
Nor was the sister weapon, the pis toi,
an agreeable or profitable accompani-
ment to the usual occupations or pleas
ures Of society.
l had a friend who deserted an an
tagonlst at the hotel table in Yazoo
City. Both simultaneously drew their
weapons and fired. My friend, missing
his antagonist, unfortunately killed a
guest seated by the side of his foe; and
although, as he explained, he hurrie
around 10 apologize for the act, yet the
unfortunate, innocent guest died before
he got there. This irregular shooting at
dinner-tables, unless in the hands Ol
persons of discrimination, however ad'