Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-03-05

The calabash from which Porgy
served himself was empty when he
gave this order. In being reminded
of his own wants, our host was taught
to recollect those of his neighbors
Porgy was eminently gentleman
His very selfishness was courtly. Tom
did as he was commanded, and his
master, without show Of impatience
awaited his return. In those days no
one was conscious of any violation OF
propriety In taking soup second
time; and though the prospect of 9TH
er dishes might have taught forbear-
ance to certain of the parties. In re-
spect to the soup, yet 1t was too evil
dent that q due regard to the feelings
of the host required that 1t should re-
ceive full justice at all hands.
Porgy was in the best Of humors
He was conciliated by his comrades;
and he had succeeded in his expert
ments-to his own satisfaction at least.
He even looked with complacency up
on the lantern-jawed and crane-bodied
doctor, Oakenburg, whom, as we have
seen, he was not much disposed to IA
vor. He could even expend jest up
on the doctor instead OF a sarcasm,
though the jests of Porgy were of a
sort as George Dennison once remark
ed, ito turn all the sweet milk sour In
had a prudent fear Of the lieutenants
sarcasms, and was disposed to concil-
late by taking whatever he offered In
the way Of food or counsel. He suf-
fered sometimes in consequence OF this
| facility But the concession was hard
ly satisfactory to Porgy, and his tenn
per was greatly tried. when he beheld
his favorite dishes almost left un-
touched before the naturalist, who ev-
identity gave decided preference to GER
tains bits Of fried eel, which formed
a part of the dinner that day.
Eel is a good thing enough" he
muttered soto voice, but to hang up
on eel when you can get terrapin, and
dressed in this manner, Is a vice and
an abomination."
Then louder
How do you get on, George ?" to
Dennison; "will you scoop up little
more of the soup, or shall we go to the
pie?"
"Pie!" said Dennison. Have you
got a terrapin pie?"
"Ay. YOU have got something to live
for. Tom, make clearance here,
and let's have the pie"
Tom had returned from serving SIM
gleton and his immediate companions.
These were Humphries, John Davis,
Lance Frampton, and perhaps some
other favorite trooper. They had dip
ped largely into the soup. They were
now to be permitted to try the terra
pin pie upon which Porgy had tried
his arts They sat in a quiet group
apart from the rest Of the command,
who were souatting in sundry messes
all about the swamp hammocks. Let
us mention, par parenthese, that John
Davis had mustered the courage to
make a full confession to his superior
| Of last nights adventure, OF his pro-
| iected duel with Hastings, and how
| the latter was mu- 'ared by the ma
MAC Frampton. : o. course Singleton
heard the story with great gravity,
and administered wholesome rebuke
to the offender. Under the circum-
stances he could do no more. To pun
ish was not his policy, where the GRIM
| inal was so clever trooper. He had
done wrong, true; but there was some
apology for him In the wrongs, per-
| formed and contemplated, Of the Brit
| ish sergeant Besides, he had honest
ly acknowledge his error, and de-
| plored II, and 1t was not difficult TO
grant his pardon, particularly while
| they were all busy over the soup OF
Porgy If forgiveness had been reluc-
tant before, It became ready when the
pie was set in sight. Porgy's triumph
was complete. Singleton did not fin-
ish his grave rebuke of the offender,
! while helping himself from the natu-
raj tureen which contained the faV-
orite dish. Nothing could be more ac-
ceptable to all the party. When the
pie, shorn largely Of its fair proper
tions, was brought back to our cpl
| cure, his proceeding was exquisitely
true to propriety. Loving the COM
modify as he did. and particularly
anxious to begin the attack upon 1t,
he yet omitted none Of his customary
politeness-a forbearance scarcely
considered necessary in dragon
camp.
There. Tom. that will do. Set 1t
down. 1t will stand alone. Did the
major help himself?"
He TEX some NAUSEA"
Some! Did he not help himself
honestly, and like man with Chris
tian appetite and bowels?"
HE no TEX 'nough, like Mass Hum
phry, and Mass Jack Dabis, but he
TEX some, and Mass Lance, he tex
some, jis' like the major"
"Humph! took a little, you mean.
A little! Did he look SICK Tom-the
mo sab! He look and talk berry
WELL"
"Ah! I see; he helped himself mod
estly, like a gentleman, at first; we
shall try him again. And now Tor
ourselves. Gentlemen, you shall now
see what art can do with nature: how
II can glorify the beast; how 1t can
give wings to creeping things. George
Dennison, you need not be taught
this. Help yourself, my good fellow.
and let this terrapin pie inspire your
muse to new flights Mr.. wilkins. suf-
for me to lay few spoonsful Of this
pie in your calabash. Nay, don't hang
back, man; the supply is abundant
The modest Mr.. wilkins, who was
coquetting only with his happiness
was easily persuaded, and Porgy turn
ed to Oakenburg, who was still ceiling
it.
"Dr. Oakenburg!" with a voice of
thunder.
"sir ieutenant-ah!" very much
startled.
Doctor Oakenburg, let me entreat
you to defile your lips no longer with
that villainous fry. Don't think OF eel
sir, when you can get terrapin; and
such as this"
II thank you lieutenant, but-yes,
I really thank you very much; but, as
YOU see, I have not yet consumed en-
tirely the soup which you were so
"And why the ID haven't you con-
sumed 1t? 1t was cooked to be con-
sumed Why have you wasted time
so imprudently? That soup Is now
not fit to be eaten. You have suffer-
ed 1t to get cold. There are certain
delights, sir, which are always to be
taken warm. To delay a pleasure,
when the pleasure is ready to your
hands is to destroy a pleasure. And
then sir, the appetite grows violated,
and the taste dreadfully impaired af-
ter eating fry. The finest delicacy In
the world suffers from such contact,
Send that soup away. Here, Tom.
take the doctors calabash. Throw that
shrivelled fry to the dog, and wash the
vessel clean. Be quick, you son or
Beelzebub, II you would hope for soup
and salvation"
The indignation Of Porgy was max
ing him irreverent. His anger IN
creased as the tasteless doctor resist
ed his desires and clung to the ee!.
mo! Tom, no. Excuse me. lieuten-
ant. but l am pleased with this eel.
which is considerably done to my Tx
ing. It Is a dish 1 particularly affect y
Porgy gave him a savage glance
while spooning the pie into his own
| calabash Tom the negro, mean