Gloucester County Democrat., 1897-12-30
a Christine Gatherinu.

On Christmas Day Mr. and Mrs. George
NJ. Hall, of near Swedesboro, gave al
elaborate dinner to large number Of theil
friends from that place, Woodbury. and
Philadelphia.
The decorations were principally of a
rural nature. Every mantel, picture and
wall ornament Of the entire lower part Of
the house was profusely hung with holly
and over the table hung the words also Of
holly leaves, Merry Christmas" The table
was set diagonally across the room with
our auburn haired host at the head.
Mr.. Hall, if particular, is not given to
vanity, but on this occasion his locks with
special effort had been parted directly in
the middle, and with thirteen hairs on
either side, by actual count, and which the
company agreed was m flatteringly becom-
ing. Thirteen sat down at the first table
with thirteen pound turkey on either
end. This one of the guests declared an
evil omen, but our host said there was
nothing in it. The fowls were not OF the
kind which had grown old and impotent
of long service, but, as was hinted by the
Office boy-the best and primest members
of their large marketable flock long cooped
and corned for this eventful occasion. Of
the other viands all were especially inviting
and palatable
Nothing was futed or frilled as at many
dinners of this kind, but cooked and served
in that good plain manner which best
appeals to the gastronomic chambers of the
inner-man. When asked who the cook
might be, Mrs. Hall with uplifted hands
declared, These did the business.D 1t
was then that all agreed that our charming
hostess had captured every detail of the
culinary art and that our placid host was
capable of climbing outside of a greater
measure of roast turkey, ice cream and
mince pie than aIsT other man. 1t is
deserving that specias mention should be
made of the mince pies. In pouring the
life for these we were suspicious that our
host bad held the bottom of the jug bit
higher than the top, ard also bit longer
than usual, but however this may have
been, be with grave modesty apologized
and declared if so, it happened because of a
slight indigestion of his, which at various
times gave him pains in his left arm, and
one may have come just at that time. We
graciously accepted his apology, and was
granted forgiveness for our suspicious.
Notwithstanding the guests were conscien-
cious about Jersey lightning, but when put
into pie unbeknown to them, they were
not ayerse to just that kind OF pie and
plenty of it. 1t dawned upon the writer
that the quaint maxim i. 6. "a Kentuckian
sells that which he cannot eat, and Jer-
seyman eats that which he cannot SELL y is a
mistaken one, for no Blue stocking could
have placed before his guest more appe-
tizing menu than did Mr. and Mrs. Hall on
this day.
When coffee had heen drunk, their arose,
if not the fattest, then perhaps the fullest
thirteen that have ever been privileged a
seat at any banquet table. After the men
bad repaired to the smoking room, (which
need not say is the most unique apart
ment of the kind / have ever seen, and
consumed some of our hosts best Hallarado
Rituals, they joined the ladies in unani-
nous vote that Mrs Hall was as good as
her husband, and he jolly good fellow.