ervice he had won the
honored position of chief boarder, and his place by common consent
was at the head of the table. No one who ever sat at that delightful
board could forget the dignified manner in which the Doctor would take
his accustomed seat, and without unnecessary delay proceed to
appropriate whatever viands might be within his reach. As a matter
of especial grace upon the part of the good landlady, an
old-fashioned corn pone and a pitcher of sweet milk appeared
occasionally upon the supper table of this most excellent inn. Such
visitations were truly regarded, even by the veterans, as very
oases in the desert of life. Now, it so happened, that upon a cold
December evening, between the first and second tolling of the supper
bell, the boarders in anxious expectancy were awaiting the final
summons, in a small chamber hard by the dining-room. To this
assembly the writer hereof remarked: "It seems to me, gentlemen, that
it has been a long time since we have been favored with pone bread
and sweet milk. I therefore move that Doctor John be appointed
a committee of one to request Mrs. Sparks to have these delicacies
for supper to-morrow night."

A hearty second was immediately given by Whig Ewing, Esq., at a
later day distinguished both as an orator and a Judge. Without
shadow of opposition the resolution was adopted, and upon summons the
boarders were almost immediately thereafter in their accustomed
places at the table. Turning to the landlady as she slowly approached
with a platter of cold biscuits, the Doctor in most conciliatory
tones said: "Mrs. Sparks, at a regular meeting of the borders held
this evening I was appointed a committee of one to invite you to
have corn pone and sweet milk to-morrow evening." A deep frown at
once encircled the fair brow of our hostess. Unlike that of the
late Mrs. Tam O'Shanter, her wrath needed no nursing to keep it
warm. Advancing a step, and with apparent effort suppressing
her emotion, she slowly articulated _"What did you say, Doctor?"_
Presaging danger in the very air, the Doctor repeated in husky
tones, "At a regular meeting of the boarders held this evening,
I was appointed a committee of one to invite you to have corn bread
for supper to-morrow evening." At the repetition the frown upon
the brow of the fair one darkened and deepened. Advancing a
step nearer the object of her wrath, she said, "If _you_ or any of
the _other_ boarders are dissatisfied with my