Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-02-09
a Christmas Dinner In Wash.
ington.

In was dinner time on Christmas
Jay The senators, representatives
and secretaries Of legation, wearied
with tho business Of the special session
Of congress, together with many other
distinguished visitors to the capital
were hastening to the Alexandria Hotel
70 dinneri for Washington was then
tho city OF magnificent distances. y and
It's only good hotel was in the adjoining
town.
AS the music of the gong was heard
ana the doors opened. the well-dressed
and highly intelligent assemblage
quietly and somewhat haughtily seated
themselves at the two long tables that
hlled the dining-room; some one in a
white cravat pronounced the words,
'For these Christmas fayors we are all
truly thankful" when a walters voice
was heard: walk right up this way,
gentlemen" and after considerable
noise and shutting. the two new corners
we're seated near the centre OF one Of
the tables. No hayseed was visible in
their hair; no cuckle-burrs fringing
their new clothes,yet they were evident
~ from Wayback county, and
had never before seen city.
Gosh! Dad, did you ever see such a
table as this?' said the younger Of the
two, thin, gawky lad Of seventeen,
These vittles has got 10 be paid for,
Zeb, an you can eat all OF EN- you've
a mind to- said the older man. as he
drank the water from the finger-bowl
and put napkin into his pocket.
For the next halfhour these two were
the centre Of attraction. 1t was mys-
terious as well as amusing TO watch the
sudden disappearance of turkey, chick
en- pie, vegetables, pickles and iellies.
and an audible smile went round the
room. when a grinning waiter at last
found the old mans plate empty, and
started 10 carry II away.
'Herel Where In time are you goin'
with my platep / amt done yet.
I'm just going 10 get you 3 clean
plato. sir. for the dessert"
"clean plate be hanged! This un
amt dirty. Let his alone. too, as the
waiter touched the boys plate.
Near the old man was a bottle oil
wine ordered by his right-hand neigh
Dor. but just as he was going to fill
Zcb's glass and his own out OF it, the
gentleman moved the bottle and said
icily, "Stopl sir. This is private wine.
Order some for yourself II you wish it. =
The old man glanced around in a
puzzled way, then reached across the
table to another glass OF wine.
Guess you'd better let this alone. y
said its owner; "it's private wine, sir. .
Gosh. Dad!" said Zeb, don't they
beat all creation? Seems to me they're
awful uppish."
'Iley some pic, Zeb?" said his faith.
err. quartering a mince-pio and putting
piece on his own plate. The gentle
man across the table reached for
some. The old man ierl1ed the plate
away. mo you don'tI" said he, THAT
is private pie. an you let il alone"
There was little eating and mucl
laughing at the tables, while those
two, blissfully unconscious ofthe notice
they were attracting. continued to
stow away all the food within reach.
Dad" at last said the boy, in a
hoarse whisper. don't you reckon you
could eat half o my plum puddin?"
Don't be q fool, Zeb," growled the
father, ''eat it up an have some more;
we've got II TO pay for"
well, Dad, know I'll bust, but I'll
try it,
But when the fruit and nuts were
passed 10 him he gave up. Can't come
it, said he TO the obsequious waiter
who insisted on his taking an orange.
II couldn't swaller one o. them things
II they wasn't any bigger'n pill; but
I'll take two o. them biggest ones home
20 Mary Lizbeth, an Dad can II IL MS
pockets with nuts for the young 'uns
/ do hate TO leave EN-"
That's just me, Zeb, said the old
mAa, with a sigh, I'D be proud to take
some o these pies an chicken-fixin' IS
home, but l don't reckon we could
carry 'em."
Zeb gave a loving, lingering look at
the table, and as he followed his father
from the room, said spasmodically:"
"'Twas the beatin'est dinner l ever
see, but goshl Dad! I do bell cue
shall die!-Mary A. Benson, Texas
Siftings.
------as-~----------
Adyina 10 palm