THE CHARGE OF ADULTERATION

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 334, 2 May 1885, Page 15

THE CHARGE OF ADULTERATION

' ' Half a cup, half a cup, Half a cup onward," Thus at the breakfast Old Knock 'em Stiff thundered. "Forward, the alum bread ! Slice it up thin," he said. All were as still as death — Boarders a hundred. " Forward the alum bread; " Some grinned at what he said ; Some thought he'd blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to eat and die — Noble one hundred ! Old maid to right of him, Small boy to left of him, Hostess in front of him, Looked wild and wondered. What on earth ails the maid ? Why is the boy afraid ? " When shall burnt peas From this coffee be sundered ? ' ' ' Sugar of white terrene, Pickles of copper green, Oleomargarine ; " Then each the fun heard. Boldly he spoke and well, Jaws like the mouth of hell, When they were sundered. Old maid to right of him, Small boy to left of him, Hostess in front of him, Volleyed and thundered ; Right through their lines he broke. Boarders knew 'twas no joke. Cheap clerk and dudelet Keeled from his awful stroke Shattered and sundered. Then they came back, but not, Not the whole hundred. Many the bills they paid ; O, the wild charges made ! The landlady pondered. Honor the break they made ! Honor old Knock 'em Stiff ! One of a hundred !