cket. When the fumes of roast turkey came to his
eager sense, he felt "sharp set" enough to have devoured a whole
gobbler! This indication of the approaching meal caused him to dive down
below, where the servants were busy in preparing the table. Here he
walked backwards and forwards for about half an hour in company with a
dozen others, who, like himself, meant to take care of number one. Then,
as the dishes of meat began to come in, he thought it time to secure a
good place. So, after taking careful observation, he assumed a position,
with folded arms, opposite a desirable dish, and awaited the completion
of arrangements. At length all was ready, and a waiter struck the bell.
Instantly, Tilghman drew forth a chair, and had the glory of being first
at the table. He had lifted his plate and just cried, as he turned
partly around--"Here, waiter! Bring me some of that roast turkey. A side
bone and piece of the breast"--when a hand was laid on his shoulder, and
the clerk of the boat said, in a voice of authority--

"Further down, sir! Further down! We want these seats for ladies."

Tilghman hesitated.

"Quick! quick!" urged the clerk.

There was a rustling behind him of ladies' dresses, and our gentleman
felt that he must move. In his eagerness to secure another place, he
stumbled over a chair and came near falling prostrate. At length he
brought up at the lower end of the table.

"Waiter!" he cried, as soon as he had found a new position--"waiter, I
want some of that roast turkey!"

The waiter did not hear, or was too busy with some one else to hear.

"Waiter, I say! Here! This way!"

So loudly and earnestly was this uttered, that the observation of every
one at that end of the table was attracted towards the young man. But
he thought of nothing but securing his provender. At length he received
his turkey, when he ordered certain vegetables, and then began eating
greedily, while his eyes were every moment glancing along the table to
see what else there was to tempt his palate.

"Waiter!" he called, ere the first mouthful was fairly swallowed.

The waiter came.

"Have you any oyster sauce?"

"No, sir."

"Great cooks! Turkey without oyster sauce! Bring me a slice of ham."

"Bottle of ale, waiter," soon after issued from his lips.

The ale was brought, the cork drawn, and the bottle set beside Tilghman,
who, in his haste, poured his tumbler two-thirds full ere the contact of
air had produced effervescence.