Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-02-06
THE DINEROUT.
Description OF Class Who Live
By Their Wita
Those Whose Chief Delight IL Is 10 Live
aid Laxuriats ~ the Expense Of
Others-rhe BETTER and
Poorer kiads.

Poorer kiads.
fsan Francisco News Letter.
They are class OF raea, and they COM
prise large number, who believe aud act
upon the principle OF the famous Greek,
Dlogenese, who, we are told, when asked
what wine he liked best, answered: ''That
which is drank az the expense OF others"
Although the character OF the old cynic
excites bat little admiration in this age,
there are still many who havs his taste in
wine, and hnd none OF 50 choice a quality
as that they drink az tho table Of others.
To live by ones wits aud at the expense OF
ones friends, and yet keep within the line
which separates the reputable good fellow
from the chevalier d'indnstrie, requires not
only that il shall have been born Ia a man,
but necessitates also an education and ex-
perienee. both worldly and intellectual. far
above the average. The recognized diner
out comprises many different varieties.
There is the admitted professional, whose
confirmed habits N idleness and impe-
cuniosity prevent his doing so at his own
expense, but who can sing good song, tell
a good story, expatiate upon the charac-
ter OF a woman of the demi- monde, knows
the latest scandal, and can prog
nostcate the winnsf of the next big race
with all the confidence of a sporting
stout" Such a man at many dinner 'ta-
bles is an acquisition, particularly il the
dinner be a large one, and where the ele-
ments of the party are such, as is often the
case, that the want of intimate mutual ac-
quaintance prevents the cordial inter-
a IL ~.
being assumed to be complete, Is indispen-
sable to make success of the only really
enjoyable meal of the day. Again, at the
family table, where the habit of daily in
tercourse gives a sameness, If not dullness,
to the feast, a diner-out of the class we
have referred to is even more than an ac-
quisition-he is regarded as friend. His
policy throughout is TO make himself what
is termed "solid" with the family. No man
knows better how to lay up treasure for
himself in this world than he, and at
family table, where he is en- bon rapport
with the members, his constant efforts to
afford new entertainment, his ingenuity In
solving the obscurest OF social conundrums,
his extraordinary faculty OF always being
foremost in obtaining authentic accounts
and the skill with which he steers
clear of all matter which at a private
table might be Objectionable, however toll
erable in larger and more mixed gather
ing, entitle him to some compensation at
the hands of his entertainers, and if he be
accused of preying on society and living
at the cost of others, we can hardly indict
him, and should not begrudge him salts
faction, even if he riots in far fetched
dishes and drinks his wine at the expense of
his friends. At the Sunday family dinner,
where the cares of the weekday meal are
not apt to intrude themselves, such guest
is always welcome, and many head OF a
family finds in his presence and untiring
efforts to enliven the meal a marked con-
trast to the monotony CT the dinner through
the week.
This much for the better class of diners
out; but there is another class who may
be ranked among the pests of society and
the bane of many good fellows comfort,
whose cordial good nature makes him
their victim. Who is there that does not
recognize one of this species who used to
practice largely on his friends in this cityi
Who can forget his suave manner as
meeting you, on your way to dinner, he
asked: 'Have you dined to-day, old fell
low!" To the natural reply in the mega
tive, you are met withx "Well. ! was on
my way to dinner, but ! hate these
restaurants. You still dine at
home, l suppose? That's the only
way to live, old fellow" II the hint is
not taken, the unfortunate man is followed
up, and then the determined beat makes
his coup dc grace: ''Would YOU mind Civ
ing me snack with you to-day, my dear
fellow? Your wife might like to hear me
sing, you know. You could give fellow
a glass Of 'arf and 'arf and bite of some
thing, / suppose" There is no avoiding
this, and the undesirable guest eats your
dinner, drinks your wine, and generally
criticises the quality OF both behind your
back. This species Is by far the most
obnoxious of that class who drink their
wine at the expense OF others. and far
more contemplate than the class who
dine at the bar-room lunch table and
take their chance to wash il down from
some good-natured friends, or too credu-
lous bar keeper. There are other classes
of the diner-out, varying from the at
taches of some of the foreign legations at
Washington and impecunious hangers-ou
of fashionable clubs TO the broken down
habitues of hotels and sporting houses; but
this will suffice for the present.