The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-07-09
PRIMITIVE TABLE-CL0THS.

/
PRIMITIVE TABLE-CLOTHS.
Mrs. Pettibone had company. In Pike
county, Missouri, it is esteemed proper
to set out the best the house affords Oh
those company occasions. Mrs. Petit
bone lived in Rails county, which is not
quite Pike, vet, since it borders on Pike,
it is for all purposes just as classical
ground as Pike itself. In fact, il Mrs.
| Pettibone should give her opinion of the
comparative merits of Rails and Pike
counties as classical ground, she would
say that "Ralls is heap the classicalest
of the two" And it is best, in general,
to defend your own against all others.
| Fault-inding persons would object to
Mrs. Pettibone's grammar, but in Mis-
souri, the use Of adjeclives and adverbs
is peculiar and vigorous II not always
4 correct. Strength is characteristic of
| Missouri. Fever and ague are also char
acteristics of that State. And while the
character of fever and ague is very de-
bilitating, the customary phrase used in
describing the condition OF person suf-
fering from that disease is a qualifying
word OF strength, "Pm powerful weak"
So much for philology. 1t is palpa-
| BILE depression and must be excused.
Table cloths, not philology, are the pres
ent matter tor consideration, and when-
ever the reader notices similar and sub
sequent digressiops, let them be under
stood as something pertinent to or quail
flying tabie-cloths.
In all conditions of civilization there
is first the age Of simplicity, and finally
the age of luxury. When Missouri ate
| it's bacon and corn bread from the sur
| face of dry-goods box or other easily
| contriyed table, that was the age of sim
pliciiy. But when Mrs. Pettib0ne aston
| ished her company by covering her table
| with domestic" the age OF luxury CON-
menced. And it is proper to remark that
| Missouri passed from simplicity 10 lux
| ury with that easy grace which Is H.
herent, intuitive in true nobility-the
First Families Of Missouri or anywhere
else.
The utility, also the attraetiyeness, OF
table-cIoths had been known and recog-
nized from remote period, in fact, from
the time of the Missouri Silurian; but
the difficulty of transportation, together
| with the immediate and frequent calls
from young Missouri, left no remnant OF
| domestic" or other material sufficient
to cover any table. 1t is related that in
| those Silufian days an enterpriSing
| merchant OF Pike once purchased in st.
| Louis stock of table-cloths-in reality
| quantity of bleaehed muslin but Proyi-
dence trowned upon his speculation; the
| steamboat carrying his goods blew up,
and the age of simplicity continued in
Pike and That vicinity.
| Merchants in Rails indicate their busi-
| ness by signs; but the signs are some-
| what different from the ordinary mer-
| camille ones. The dealer in dry-goods
| hangs strip Of red flannel from pro-
| iecting rod over his door, and that tells
| the world that he is ready to sell every
thing that will hang upon rod, or that
can be measured by yard-stiek. The
dealer in wet goods can not hang out a
sample Of his goods; but the moist Gus
toner or two always leaning up against
the shanty tor support Is sign enough OF
his calling. This direct appeal TO the
unders landing through the eye is after
all the best method OF conveying useful
thirsty, could not mistake the piece OF
red flannel as an indication Of refresh
ment, nor would The matron in' quest OF
pins, needles or thread, expect to find
such articles drawn from barrels and
sold by the glass.
Mrs. PetIibone went shopping. She
bought various little articles OF house.
mold use, but during all her purchases
she kept her eyes fixed upon shelf that
contained Two parcels of bed-ticking
with something white isandwiched be-
tween them.
as that white stuff yonder table
clothsW she asked, pointing at the ar
ticle she referred to.
.No, MAJ am: that's domestic" and the
merchant proceeded to display the goods; (;
but the strange inquiry Tor such an al.
| ticle as table-cloth amazed him so that
| he forgot to mention the wonderful quail
lity of his goods, and the very low price
| two bits a yard.
81 want some table-cloths," said Mrs.
PettiDOne.
and NOBODY ever asked for 'em before,
ma'am"
Tue merchant was slightly offended at
such presumption on the part Of Mrs.
PettibOne.
81. want some table-cloths," was the
persistent demand Of that undaunted
woman.
SNOW look here, 'maam, you want
something nobody ever seen on table
in Balls county yet. Don't you think
it's bringing in extravagance and trouble
If things go en- in this wayP No .ma'am.
/ hainSt got any table-cloths" And the
Injured merchant commenced to fold up
his '.domestic," preparatory TO putting it
back where 1T came from.
Mrs. Pettib0ne was a true woman, and
when she had set her heart upon table,
cloths she intended to have them. And
why not?
II want same table-cloths," still per-
sisted Mrs. Peltibone, and seizing upon
The domestic" before her, she demanded
the price.
1.-Two bits a yard, ma'am, and it's
mighty cheap" Now the man was back
in reper-element.a again.
ssDont you think il Will make table
clolhs?' she'iGquired.
''Sueh goods as Lnat, ma'am, willmake,
anyihing," and he proudly slnoothed IL
out with both hands.
Its Sufficient to say that Mrs. Petit
bone bought the whole of that small
piece ofgoods, which when duly prepared
formed an article Of adornment i0r her