Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-26
IN THE 'POSsUM RING
A Mouth Contestant Was Fought to q
Finish.
How the "Pride of Herring HIP De-
feated the Darling of the
Dump"

Man is proud, vainglorious creature.
ard the bubble reputation oft repays him
for life of toll and pain. What, then,
must be the bliss of the pride of Herring
HILL" who. in a magnificent burst of speed,
won lasting renown,not at cannon's mouth,
but by causing to disappear in his own
mouth, one fringed with lips like crimson
sumac leaves, four large, luscious 'possums.
fattened on Virginia persimmons and
roasted in sea of their own succulent rat!
And what the glory of Georgetown VINO
claims him as a favored son, and one well
worthy of the ancient city by the creek.
There are save the mark, some envious
persons from East Georgetown, which
name the retainers Of the Pride" lndl-
by their evils hearts to declare that their
dark knight lost because of an unforeseen
contingency; that the laurel of the victor
was suatched from his brow by an envious
fate-"he done choked on bone
How the Contest Originated.
The great 'possum-eating contest was the
outcome of claims put forth by many per-
sons that they could consume a greater
number of 'possums at one sitting than any
other colored gentleman within radius
Of 100 miles by actual measurement. This
question had for many moons been the
overshadowing topic of conversation.
When with SHOWS of winter the Virginia
when the springtime came, gentle Annie
and the flowers appeared upon the earth
possum was not forgotten, and when hot
summer followed-in the days when the
cows stood knee deep in the pool-plans
were matured for the 'possum-eating con-
test.
The Contestants.
October. with Its wealth of fruit and grain
and seasonable 'possum, at length arrived.
and the claims OF the many were reduced
to three. Those whose; residences cluster
about the creekside dump" like a diadem
on the brow of royalty, presented a man of
recognized ability. Africa" boosted of one
who had never known defeat, and others
spoke with confidence of him who bore the
title, THE Pride of Herring HILL" He had
not then defeated any one of note, but
those whose happy lot 1t was to be ION the
inside regarded him. so they announced in
clarion notes, as a conner" Their fondest
hopes have been realized, for he has
come 7 4
In Training.
When the residents. of the Hill of Herring
became assured THAR the trial would take
place, they at once put their favorite in
training. The exact regime to which 1.-The
Pride" subjected himself was made a state
secret. but the word went abroad that each
afternoon, the golden sun cast long,
slanting rays on the New Out road. he ate a
number of 'possums, and it also went forth
that each day saw him eat more possum
than had the last. :4.'.
Two gentlemen were selected from each
locality honored as the abiding place of
one of the champions, upon whom rested
the responsibility of selecting a meeting
place where the 'possum-eating question
could be forever set at rest.
After careful search a place was found
which afforded ample space for the wide
mouthed, expectant throng which would
gather to witness the event. A master OF
a
and sterling worth. whose raZzer command
ed the respect of the vulgar herd.
The Great Contest.
The night of the tourney at last arrived.
The platform, with three chairs for the
contestants, was in readiness; 'possums-
baked 'possums-were at hand; luscious
specimens of marsupial they &ere Prompt
ly at the appointed time the men appeared
amid the plaudits of the multitude. The
Darling of the Dump was first seated:
the gentleman from Africa" whom his
followers had named Eaten Up Jones, a
title significant OF his possum-consumin
proclivites, next occupied a chair. 1.-THE
Pride of Herring Hill' was the last to be
seated, and then, while breathless silence
reigned, each was handed a dish Of pos
sum, knife and fork, and the master Of the
joust called Go"
At the end of ten minutes each had start
ed on his second poSSum
twenty-five minuteS-"Eatem Up" Jones
Was nOpeleSSly lett. HIS eyes plugged out
and his jaw was growing weak. 1.-THE
Darling" and 1.-THE Pride were slowing up
about even-on their third.
Thirty-fve minutes-'The Pride" won;
Eaten Up Jones quit; THE Darling in
a sudden burst of speed choked on a bone
and was carried off insensible.
Score: 1.-The Pride of Herring HE'LL" four
possumS and still eating.
1.-THE Darling of the Dump" four pos
sums
Eaten Up Jones. three 'possums.