Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-07-24

After being seated | observed in a
short time that the man on my right
was very silent and was intent on moth
ing but his full pla.e, while he on my
left was continually talking and en-
gagged the attention of several persons
at the table, TO whom he addressed him
self and to whom he seemed TO be we'll
known.
l had ordered hall dozen 0stend
oysters and plate Of soup. When the
oysters were brought my loquacious
friend said to me: ~ see you eat your
dinner like a Frenchman-your oysters
frst?" "Yesw He added: "You have
seen our Crystal Palace at Sydenham, !
fancy. How does IL compare with your
Industrial Palace at Paris; you are a
Frenchman, sir, are you not?" mo,
sir, / am not a FrenChman, but | have
seen both the Crystal Palace at Syden-
ham and the Industrial Palace at Paris. "
Il beg your pardon, sir. Something
about you made me take you for a
Frenchman, and so many OF our neigh
bors are coming over just now and WIS.,
ting the Sydenham Palace that
thought perhaps you were from Paris. "
Not feeling in very good humor
after my voyage, and not caring to talk,
| merely bowed my head 10 him In a
civil manner and then attacked my oys-
ters.
In few moments he said to me:
Last summer | was in the Hartz
Mountains. What a glorious place 10
visit! / do not know when have en-
joyed holiday so much. Are you a
German, sir?"
mo, sir; ! am not German"
40! / beg pardon, sir. / thought
maybe you were, though | can't say
why" Then in moment or two he
added; perhaps you are an Italian?"
n"No, sir"
"Oh, well, excuse me! But although
you speak English very well you are not
an Englishman?"
"No, sir; am not an Engllshman.s
81 thought not. Pray, sir, may | ask
what cOuntryman you areY
II am an American, sir"
"Oh! you are! You are a Yankee,
thenl"
This was said with an impudent smile,
yet with a grace so winning that the
most accomplished actor might have
envied IT,
The air OF the remark drew attention
and general smile passed all around
the table. Even my absorbing neighbor
on the right looked up.
Turning, looked at the speaker, full
in the face. There was nothing but
merriment beaming in every feature.
His eyes twinkled with the yeriest de-
light. | felt like asking him once:
well! who are you?' but his counte.
nance disarmed me and his good humor
was something contagious. / was
forced TO smile in spite OF myself.
Just answered-no, not exactly. He
continued: "Oh! / understand. That
is term Of reproach sometimes in your
country"
Eyes, only sometimes" Still smiling,
he added: "He is fellow who sells
wooden nutmegs and things Of that
kind; understand, have been in your
country" Have you?" Eyes.
Then perhaps You can give better
account Of IL than some OF your coun-
trymen who have been there?"
"Oh! Oh! yes, perhaps, yes. Have
many OF our people abused you SC
much?"
Eyes, your writers very generally
'Tndeed, and who has abused you the
best?"
"Why. Mr.. Dickens, he is our abuser
par excellence. A general laugh here
followed. in which he Joined as heartily
as any Of the company.
But / did not take In the situation;
was younger and green and as dumb a.
an oyster; and evidently this was mani
fest TO my loquecious neighbor.
After some further conversation, OF
no special interest, in a little while he
said
"Will you join me In a glass Of sher'
ry?"
He filed my ass, and turning 70 ms
he pledged my Health. In the act o.
replacing his glass on the table he said
lyon must have come from that par
of America that Mr.. Dickens abused
best"
"Yes. l came from the Northern Neck
OF Virginia. 1t is that part Of tbs
country between the Rsppahannock
and Potomac rivers"
"Oh, yes" he remarked very pleas
antly, ~ remember something OF thu
description OF it, in his American Notes
l believe, is it not?'
YES"
Eyes, it was there that he took tn
famous ride from Potomac Greek,
think, 70 Fredericksburg on the box o
a stage coach, was it not?"
eyes, exactly"
81 remember II now, and his descrip
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