Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-24
THE LONG TABLE.
A True Story of a Country Town.

Written for THE EVENING STAR
A short while ago was called by business TO
make visit to an interior country town. 1t
was a place of considerable trade. and de-
lighted in calling itself city, although, as it
was of from any main line of railroad, it pre-
served many traits of rural simplicity. I
stopped at the principal hotel and asked for
accommodations. 1 was there told. by the
proprietor, that an agricultural convention
was then in session at the court house. and.
consequently, nearly every one of his rooms
was already engaged. The same state of
things, he said, existed at all the other houses
of public entertainment i'm the town. How
ever, he assured me If / would stay with him
he would do for me the best in his power and
give me something of a chamber which, even
If IT was not altogether what / might like
would still be found to be passably comfort
able. As I had arranged to have several
parties meet me that evening who were
anxious to see me in reference to the settle
ment of some claims. there seemed nothing
else left for me to do but to accept the land
lords Offer
On looking around found the inn at which
was to lodge was a large old-fashoned stone
building that had been erected in the early
part of the century, before the day of rail-
roads. Its numerous and spacious apartments,
with lofty ceilings and heavy woodwork, its
wide halls and ample stairways. all gave token
of preparation for a large number of guests
These might often have filed it when the
streets OF the town were thoroughfare for the
busy travel that passed in stage-coaches and
in wagons from the eastern cities over the
mountains to the distant west. But since the
place had been isolated from the main routes
such crowd could only be looked for on ex-
haordinary occasions
As soon as supper was over asked to be
taken to my chamber, SO that might receive
my callers in private. The clerk, who con-
Quoted me thither, said: Il am going to put
You In the long room. II is in the back part of
the house, and is somewhat narrow, but il il
otherwise comfortable and has good bed
in it."
When 1 reached ii I found its appearance
justified his description. Bat the bed was at
the extreme upper end Of the apartment and
all down one side Of the room was a long mar
row table, covered with a red CLOTH
''What is the object Of that table?" asked.
"Oh!" he replied. lit is the side or remove
table OF our dining-room which, owing to the
crowd we now have to accommodate we have
temorarily put here, SO as to give more space
there for the eating tables"
As / asked no further questions he went his
way back to the Office.
was hardly seated when a rap at the door
one of my visitors After some
conversation pertinent to the purpose of his
call, he remarked: 80 they have put YOU in
the room of the long table, have they?" 1 an
swered, was surprised to hear him describe
the room by that phrase, as 1 had been told by
the hotel clerk that the presence of the table
there was only accidental and temporary,
mot at all. he continued. 1.-The table is q fix
ture here. This is the place where the only
social club of the town holds its weekly suppers.
But the strict, rustic morality of the community
discourages even the light dissipation of such
festive gatherings, although no excuses are
ever INDUCED in beyond a little extra eating
and drinking. So the host is, perpaps. anxious
70 conceal the fact OF its meeting at his house
quite as much as the worthy denizens of the
burg are disinclined to have il revealed TO their
wives that when the latter think their GOOD
husbands are safe at the lodge or in their shops
posting up their books, they are at the hotel
ENJOYING oysters and ale. How strong the
force Of this feeling is may be seen in the fact
that the clerk was careful TO hide the real use
OF the table even from you, a stranger"
Shortly after, the visitor departed. and was
soon followed by another, who, after q brief
ssa., sisS spoke OF the apartment, a., ''the
"Yes," said, .fbut the sight of the t.bIe n
not unpleasant Il recalls agreebly the genes
Of festivity, Of which il js the center. ana the
train Of ideas excited by the thought OF 4 party
. .,,s Tor eating and drinking il sener-
Eating and drinkingr" he exclaimed. ether,
Y mot much eating, Il any, done at il, and ali
the drinking h only help TO the main point in
gathering around il, and that il, eambiine.
Many are the games that are played on that
board, and not the least common Of them ID
poker. No wonder they want TO keep il . e.
cretl How many poor women that think their
husbands don't know one card nom another,
are kept up till midnight, Whiting for them 10
come home, and feeling 20 sorry they have 70
be out 20 late ct building association, or Other
such business! But IL you IKE what you csll
Ys:tivity,' yoa nay Be sa.s there = enough 81
IT. IN the gamblinG line, done on that l0nG -
ble." So aging Ne hurried % With lAnSh.
Ny next caller was a1Bo eoon 70 nutioo The
long tabls. II knou,~ sAid h, ssthsrs srs sSv-
eral storiee ebout ~ uses 10 which Il = ~
euiss H. rsal ona, which, d fsot, 3 sonsvhat
unlswfa1 u oh.ract.r. foa nay knou, tha1 4
= sr -, - = g Wy ss.ssssssas ~