The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1959-03-20
@ L / M p S E S
TIL E P A S T
BY CAROLYN LLOYD

The word "alleged" is a useful
one in the newspaper business as a
protection against suit for libel.
Now, if I were to come right out
and say that certain man in Bel
haven is big eater, I might leave
myself open for libel suit; but if
a say that he is "alleged" to be
a big eater, there isn't much he
can do about it. He might, however,
have a case against the man who
told me fatty that the aforemen-
toned individual ate three plates
full of food at a recent covered
dish supper given by the Volunteer
Firemen. / was a little skeptical
at the time because l had been told
the day before by the gentleman
in question that he was on diet
and had lost fourteen pounds; and
though it is common knowledge
that women often fall from grace
while dieting, it is also known that
men have more will power. could
not, however, afford to dispute the
source of information, since there
is no place where one is more vul-
nerable than in the dentists chair.
1t is not quite as dangerous to
argue with ones dry cleaner.
Though he does have the means of
retaliation, one can face a shrunk-
en- skirt easier than she can drill
on an exposed nerve. Therefore, 1
was forced to accuse the dry clean
err of telling me bald-faced false
hood when he told me that the dem
fist ate a bushel of oysters at the
oyster roast held by the firemen
on Friday night. Not that am
any authority on the accused's APP
petite; it was simply that l hap
pened to be serving at the church
supper where he was eating at the
time that he was supposed to be
consuming so many oysters. My
informant also said that a certain
postal employee ate a bushel, and
that I have no reason to deny. 1t
wouldn't seem that any of the
guests were suffering from lack of
appetite, since the fifteen present
consumed four bushels of oysters,
in addition to an unspecified
amount of crackers, pickles, etc.
At that rate, we don't have to wor-
ry about our firemen not keeping
up their strength.
AS matter of fact, there seems
to be little need for worry about
losing any of our men because of
malnutrition. At least four
churches in town have Mems Clubs,
which meet once a month and are
fed, generally by the women
of the churches. To date there
have been no complaints that
there was too much food. The
civic clubs also meet and eat, so,
in the course of a month, a consid-
cradle amount of food, exclusive
of the three meals a day served in
homes, is consumed. Add to that
the desserts served at women's
club meetings and the total would
be rather staggering.
The fact is that good food is a
major part of the enjoyment of
life. Sometimes women sigh for
the day when all nourishment will
be taken in the form of pills, but
that day will probably see the end
of social life. A pill would be a
pretty dull substitute for crisp
fried chicken or juicy steak, so
it is all right with me if a man
wants to eat three plates at a sup
per or bushel of oysters. am go
ing to have to be an eye witness,
though, before 1 will state in print
that he did so. Let it be under
stood, however, that if my presence
is required as witness, it must be
in the capacity of guest, and not
that of a waitress and dishwasher.