The Opelousas courier., 1907-08-17
SERVED UP IN Z
How a Dwarf Was Brought to Notice
Strange Disguise for a Host.

-$&b AbbS
The "Pie Girl" who, as given in
the evidence at the Thaw trial, was
with a number Of birds served up
Ii a pie at a theatrical supper is by
10 means the first human being who
has been thus treated.
Jenery Hudson, the celebrated
dwarf, with whom all readers OF
SCOTS "Peveril of the Peak are
acquainted, was first brought to the
notice of Charles I. during a visit
of that monarch and his queen to
Burleighon-the-Hill, the residence OF
the Duke of Buckingham, in whose
service the manikin was. At din
ner a large cold pie made its appear
ance. says the London Tit-Bits, and
on this being cut by the queen Hud'
son stepped forth and made his obei'
sance to royalty.
Another dwarf Richebourg, appear
ed on the table of a French nobleman
In the interior Of a gigantic raised
pie. At a given signal this was cut
and disclosed the pygmy, who, bear
ing a silver salver on which were
arranged a number Of articles OF
jswelry, advanced across the table
and in turn presented each of the
guests with a valuable souvenir.
In 1888 a M. de Paries gave a ban
quet in Paris to a dozen ladio OF
the ballet and their admirers. In the
centre of the table was a colossal
heap Of fruit, which, on being struck
with a golden wand by the host, fell
away, revealing three young girls
garbed as Hebes, who during the re-
past waited upon the ladies, while
q like number of youths. representing
Ganymedes. who had made their ap.
pearance in a more prosaic man.
ner, attended to the wants OF the
male guests.
Some six years back a wealthy
French countess gave a dinner at
which the centerpiece was a mass Oh
the rarest and most beautiful bios
SONS. From these, as soon as the
| diners were seated, arose Marguerite
Deval, who, as the courses succeeded
one another, sang the menu in a
sweet voice.
At a dinner given In the seventies
in Rome by a rich Italian the decora-
tim OF the table was remarf ole for
! the presence of half a ~uozen huge
cakes. From these, as tAe repast pro-
| eesded, issued, to the amazement OF
the guests, strains Of delightful mel
ody, which, with brief intermissions,
| continued until the last course had
been partaken of. Then, on the ap.
| pearance of coffee and liqueurs, the
sugar covered walls Of the confec'
| tions fell asunder and six dainty
| clad lady musicians stepped forth
from their strange confinement.
In the spring Of 1852 an eccentric
| yiennese banker gave a supper to q
party of friends, who on arrival were
asked to excuse the unavoidable alb
sence of their host and to proceed
| with the repast without further de-
lay. They therefore took their seats
at table, In the centre Of which stooo
a gigantic pasty. from which, when
| the meal was approaching its en-
| clusion, began to Issue weird growls'
! to the amazement OF the guests, whose
wonder changed to absolute panic
when. on a sudden, the crust wa
burst asander, and what was to all
seeming a savage beast sprang forth
CONSERVATION and dismay reigned
| A rush was made for the doors, Wh1ch
were found to DO locked. Then the
| company turned and each snatchine
up whatever weapon lay at hand
| stood. on his defence. Whereupon the
| object OF. their terror burst into
| roar of laughter, and tearing on 1ts
hairy hide stood revealed as the giVel
OF the feast-Sun.