National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-12-05
RECEPTION DAY Secrets.
AN EX-CATERER LETS SEVERAL CATS
OUT OF THE SOCIAL BAG.
Where tho Silver, China, Pictures, and
p Furniture for Some swell" Affairs
Come From-uogs In Upper Tendon,
and How They GobbIe the Grapes.

A RTpUDLIcAN man stepped into o prom
inent confectioncr's store last night to buy
some caramels The proprietor was in an
adjoining room at the time, polishing up
lot OF silverwarc.
"You seem busy said the reporter.
SPIN getting ready for the receptions aud
dinner parties"
"Wfl there be much of that sort OF bust
ness this season2n
at looks that way have had a big run
Of custom among that class, and probably
made as much money as any caterer In
town"
"There must be quite number of your
class here9"
"Not so many. Those who are here have
a certain class OF people TO serve. A
caterers chances of getting in with the
upper classes is rather Rim at first. IL
takes time The bon-tons are rather sus-
pcious OF people, and before they will take
q person TO cater for them at their enter
taipments they find out everything about
him, especially one thing, that is II he can
keep his mouth shut"
"Wly Ia such secrecy required pn
Many reasons can be given. The most
prominent one is the fact that oftentimes
prominent family announces that rccep-
ion or n dinner will be given to their
friends. The family wants TO look well be-
lore the guests, and make an impression by
the lavish display Of the tables. To add to
the effects, the services of caterer who is
employed by other hightoned families ore
engaged.
] am ont of the business for good aud have
no one to succeed me can tell IL. The
caterer is supposed to furnish the silver
ware, the costly and artistcally decorated
China, and oftentimos TO contract with the
business people for the rental Of suitable
pictures and furniture TO produce grand dis
plays on such occasions A caterer, there
fore, II he expects to get on with such peo-
pie, must be well supplied for the purpose.
A stranger entering some houses at the
time that social entertainments are being
given would think himself TO be In wonder
land. Should he call at the same places
few days later appearances would be but
commonplace"
~ have seen some odd things In the
houses OF the great ones OF EARTH" added
the veteran, re1ectively. "The middle
classes, as a rule, guard their manners with
Jealous care, and feel IL sensitively when
any infractions Of the code are committed.
AS q rule they arc very exacting In such
matters; and PERSONS character Is judged
according as the manner in which he be-
HAYES agrees with their standard. With
lHlb III Wow tDtTt VIII ulWHyb De uOIlCeu
degree Of decorum ut the table among that
class, and while II may appear to agree with
their natural social life there Is certain
restraint felt by ALL and that precludes any
thing that is likely to be rude or out of the
way. Among the upper classes men and
women walk, talk. and eat within the limits
of prescribed rules. These rules are as UNI
yielding as were those of the Modes
and Persians. To transgress them causes
IN lpca fc
official red-tapeism in their forms Of ETH
quette that becomes wearisome. Occasion
ally bright and witty mind is found, but
1t is only a question of time when the orig
inality becomes conventionalized. What
want to say, however, is this, that many
times have become disguised at some of
the people of that class. After having set
my table and decorated IL with the greatest
care, especially at receptions, have been
Mortified at the rush, push, and grab system
that J have witnessed Fruits, rs you must
he aware, form the decorative display OF a
table. A caterer spends most of his time
In arranging such, and tits well understood
that such decorations are only intended to
be looked at and admired. The foreign
element is the worst in this sort of bad
conduct. ! have seen them make a
rush FOR the table and grab at the
grapes and seize as much as they could with
decency hold In their hands, and devour
them like voracious wolves. Other people,
who however anxious to get bite at them,
would find themselves the possessors OF the
stems. The slaughter Of the chinaware is a
caution. II don't matter how many plates
are broken. II would be a loss to your bust
ness to mention II. If anything is said the
waiter gets the blame. At the end of the
year, II you keep strict account, you will
be surprised at what amount Of money you
have lost by the breakage Of plates. l could
tell lots of things, but guess l have said
anouuh :,