Smyrna times., 1904-07-06

added to the brilliancy of the hos.
| pltable functions that almost daily
broke the monotOny of business
routine. Some of the prevalent pas
times were saunterings on moonlight
evenings along the mill dams of Duck
Greek and Main street, and by the
sides of Flat-iron Point, where many
troth were plighted and from which
not a few happy domestic circles
sprung.
he Echo and the Blatant Cali.
we call to mind a glorious night.
When the moon was full and un-
clouded, bevy of lovely girls, each
with her boy escort, accompanied bv
an accomplished performer on a
hagelet, strolled to spot on the Main
street mill dam, where was a most
vivid aud startling echo. 1t was Mt
once suggested that the quality of
this well known resonant nook should
be tested by some strains of instrn
mental music. Accordingly few
notes We're struck on the Pandian pipe
and the resound came back in due
time with perfect clearness. This was
several times repeated; but there was
mingled each time with the reAec cted
music the bleatIng of a calf some
where III the vicinity. AS the dis
cordant ''faa' greeted our ears above
the returning musical chords. the
player removing the flute from his
lips, JoyOusly inquired of the amused
company, "Do you hear that?" re-
ferrlng Of course to his music. not
seeming to hear the calf. We all in
voluntary burst iuto an uumannerlv
Suiaw, shouting we do, we do"
Ihe sensitive musician indionautlv
declined to regale the company apv
further with his dulcet strains. iustlv
charging them with indecorous con.
duct. IAereupon we solemnlv dis
persed, suppressing our risibilities as
best we could, aud protesting that our
dlscourtesy was uniutentional, and
that we really appreciated and enioved
his sklllful performance; but to no
Immediate purpose. However. the
unpleasantness quickly blew over. and
all things III common were soon again
serene as eyer.
The OpOSSum and It's Fate.
One OF the unique establishments of
Smyrna in the fifties was bungalow
on Main street, near the Mill-pond.
Kept by one Jane Smith, a col1red
caterer Of considerable local renown.
She enjoyed the distinction of being
clever cook, neat and clean, and was
wont to spread tables in her dotnicile
with savory viands for parties, who
often partook of her concoctions with
keenest relish. One time the boys pro-
cured an opOssum from an African
Nlmrod, and placed it in charge of
hostess Smith, with explicit instruc-
tlons that it be prepared in her best
Iorm, with appropriate trimmings, as
an appetizing repast, of which dozen
of US would partake in the evening
when the days work was done. When
we were finally seated at the table.
with the smoking marsuplal on dish
before us, and with acute appetites.
we were quite ready to break our fast.
When however we attempted to eat
he dainty morsel we found to our dis
gust that the animal was too uuctu-
)us for our amateur gastrOpatbic
Iualms. Whereupon we pushed our
'hairs back iu utter chagrin. But
Mistress Smith was equal to the exi
sencv, for she soon placed before us
tOothsOWe collation. of stewed
oysters, bread and butter, coffee, cake
md ice cream, which we ravenously
Ievoured, garnishing the provisions
With grateful thanks, and leaving the
'pOssum for the benefit of the house.
n part payment of our Indebtedness.