The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-12-21

wildering array Of sterling knives, forks
and spoons that lay beside them, as il
seeking for the proper weapon of attack.
Then they sat still and looked inquiring
ly at Mr.. T. Brown Jones.
That worthy noted the glance. us h.
seemed to note every other movement oi
noise about the dining room.
The custom, don't you know, of eat
ing oysters on the half shell with these
little forks" he said thoughtfully, hold
ing on" of them up and then spearing 81
biyalve with ii, lis an excellent one.
The Boweryites at once looked as re.
heved as two masked faces could, aud
were soon vigorously plying he oystel
forks.
Table etiquette should be taught at
Yale, Now, when | was in ,Jale'-Mr
Jones was continuing reflechyely, when
he was interrupted by a loud gulfdw
from his Bowery confreres. There were
even slight smiles upon the faces Of the
inwardly raging Mr. Van Tassel, Tho
outwardly Tuning Mr. Cowles and the
monocle eyed Mr. Girard.
-''when ! was III Yale. don't you
know Jones repeated, looking up in
apparent surprise. Il was struck by the
reflection that proper table manners are
not born. but made, don't you see, foi
the child that is born, as we all were,
with "A silver spoon, so to speak, don't
you see, i'll its mouth will when mt TIA.
Bile, remove the spoon and try TO play
Annie Rooney and similar tunes pop
ular with the canaille on the doiiies
Years of training alone, don't You know,
give one polish in table etiquette. Even
you. Cornelius. probably used Your silver
spoon for drumstick when you We're a
child, | dare say
I'D like to USE began Mr., Van Tas.
sci, with "a roar of pent up rage.
Cornelius, for heavens sake, for my
sake, do be quiet.' pleaded his distracted
wife
Cornelius, if you don't stop roaring
so, I'll not only gag you. but I'll also
have our mutual friend, Nc Allister, cx-
pei you from the One Hnnd"ad and
Fifty" murmured Mr.. Jones, towing
with his revolver. Sorry you don't like
OYSTERS he continued, cody appropri-
ating the plate of the helpless Van Tas-
sci.
Evidently Mr.. Girard and Mr.. Cowles
were not fond of Blue Points also. for
the Boweryites followed Jones example
and transferred their oyster dredging
operations from their own empty plates
to the full plates of Van Tassel's male
guests.
blue Points are so small, don't you
know, that really | shall he compelled
to accept your offer Mr.. Jones sand
alphabetically few moments later as lac
took Mrs Girard's oysters. In the same
deferential manner his Bowery friends
made way with the bivalves huddled to-
/ gether upon the plates of the other help,
less ladies, and then, following the ex.
ample of Mr.. Jones, carefully wiped the
/ oyster forks on their napkins and put
them in their pockets.
"Your souvenirs are so pretty" muir
INJURED Jones, "that they fairly carry u
away.
"I'll serve the consomme," he added
to Betty, who had Just come in with tn,
tureen, "for Mrs. Van Tassel seems to b'
fully occupied"
The appetizing odor of the soup caused
nine mouths to water but, as in the cas-,
of the oysters, six of them watered IL
vain
Where are you going, my pretty turk"
I'm going to dinner she said with smrk
May 20 with you, my turkey mad?'
Nobody axed you, sir" she said,
murmured Mr.. Jones as the big BROW
bird, hot and steaming and redolent o
savory dressing, was deposited in from
of him by the maid. Betty" he con
tinued, beginning to carve the fowl witt
apparent skill, don't forget the wines
Wine is a mocker, don't you know, bu
strong drink doesn't seem to have beef
raging very much around here yet, don