National Republican., 1885-07-06
DINING OUT.

Not In the old, stately fashion, by cour-
teous invitation, with formal acceptance
and agonizing attention to costume and
behavior. No, indeed. But dining out
where you invite yourself, and have nothing
whatever to engage the mind save your own
good pleasure and comfort. Dining out,
for instance, on L street. There, welcome
is surc-if you have 35 cents. The portly
proprietor himself advances, valves to
table, and Introduces chair. Then he calls
white-aproned waiter. Three white aprons
obey. One presents you glass OF water,
another the bill of fare; the last assumes
statucsquc attitude and looks at you. lie
continues to look at you during the entire
banquet. You suddenly find yourself be-
come subject of amazing interest; the
interest continues, and the mystery at last
almost overpowers your reason.
The little table-which is only member
Of two lines of little tables extending on
either side the full depth of the long room
may or may not be devoted to your eX-
elusive accommodation, for couple Of
chairs yet invite any chance guests. To
remain solitary will be your first prayer,
your second, If intruders must come, that
they prove not dudes, neither unfor-
tunate ex-ofiicials, frantic on "offensive
partisanship," nor legal nor medical
students, who are all-wise save 'they know
not that they nothing know
just as deep slumber is about TO conquer
your senses, already confused by an elab-
crate editorial in morning paper, the
light-tripping breeze producing servitor ap-
proaches, bearing aloft, balanced on open
hand, the broad, well-laden tray OF your
desires. Wonderful to relate, 1t arrives
safely at the listed Y receptacle, and
presently its contents are artistically dis
posed over the three gaily-fringed napkins,
which assume to be Il tablecloth. Color
again appears, card of delicate, though
somewhat greasy, blue, Modestly 1t de-
scends, near your plate, the figured side,
like butter on fallen slice of bread, al
ways downward.
Briefly, you dine; happily, you dine alone.
Yet your sometimes wandering eyes be-
hold perhaps a hundred Others similarly
employed, and In communicating room,
ladies, ladies individually, ladies collec.
lively, ladies and gentlemen escorts
mingled.
The mighty business of the day pro.
crosses with ardor. Conversation here and
there by fits and starts, chiefly feminine
Subjects at times seem tragic, for the word
lawful !' is of thrilling frequency.
| But, though voices may cease, noise Is in
cessant. The clatter Of dishes, the ringing
of knives, forks, and spoons hastily dashed
down; now the breaking OF plate; now the
crash of a whole trayful Of china, with con
tents and Accomplishments. The portly
proprietor looms up double size from ex
citement. Ladies scream, gentlemen laugh
Sundry dogs dart forth-dogs small ant
'perfect loves" dogs large and quite the
contrary-all barking in their various ap
propriate modes, all building high the horro
OF discord
Many are the men and women doomed tC
such "Dining Out.n They may have
known more peaceful, more loving, more
intellectual boards; but now for these they
are very grateful. The city has grown
such institutions, among other things, prov,
it. Let them flourish, Surely they viii
and must
Stili and forever In scene like this, OLE
memories shall be awakened and voice
haunt the heart whose sentiment is eX
pressed by a single music line;
There's 10 place like homel