The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-02-19
THE BANQUET.
Brilliant Scenes. an Elegant supper aud
Much Good Speaking.

converted into an elegant banquet hall.
The walls were encirclcd with wreaths
of evergreens and decorated with en-
blems of tho order. The chandeliers
that hung along the center of the large
hall were adorned with wreaths of
evergreen and flowers. Nine long tables
arranged in a single row extended al
most the entire length of the building,
leaving just room enough between ard
at the ends of the tables for the beauti-
full young lady walters that served the
gallant Knights.
The tables were laden with every
thing the taste of the most fastidious
epicure could desire. They were bcauti-
fully decora ted with fruits and flowers,
and the hall presented a brilliant scene
as tho 14l banqueters filed in and were
| seated at the tables.
Shortly after nine O'Clock. the doors
were thrown open and the knights be-
gan to enter. the uniform rank of
Oceola Lodge in the lead in full dress,
and under command of Sir Captain S. $.
Brooke. The entire number fled past
the bevy Of pretty young ladies that
lined the whole length of one side of
the hall, and took their places for the
feast.
Rev. DIR. o. +. Hippo of the First
DdpOlSJ NAuICu. lnNOhOu Guc DlcSSlupS
of God, the knights contemplated for
moment what was before them: the
blinking of silver, the clatter of table
ware, the merry hum of voices began,
and the banquet was in progress.
The countenances of the fair maidenS
beamed with smiles and their bright
| eyes sparkled with delight as they We'd
with each other in attention TO the
! plates of the handsome and gallant
PYthian knights. All the knights en-
joyed the supper, but some of them
seemed to enjoy the smiles of the beau
ties that served the delicacies even
more. There was no menu card and
no wine and champagne, but everything
pretty women, delicious food, sweet
music and gallant men without dys-
pepsia 8
Prof. Devon's ORCHESTRA was stationed
in the rear Of the hall the entire even
| ing.
DR.. L. G. Pedigo, master OF cere-
monies, was seated at the head Of the
center table with Messrs Alexander,
Garrett and Bowden on his right, and
Messrs. Woods. Turner and Flippo on
his left.
When tho knights had Toasted to
their fill. DR.. Pcdigo raped the assem-
Wy W oiltiiSt. anu DclOIc pIODOSlnH inc
first toast said: Some author. You need
not expect Il man of my profession to
know who, has said that there is Il
time for all things, and we have about
decided that now is the time to talk.
We Americans Will talk-we arc like
Ialmagc'S man-wc must talk or bust.
"Onc of the most profound criticisms
/ ever heard on tho American character
was that of an Asiastic philosopher.
who said: "Mclican man gabbec too
| much.'
Tho doctor proposed the toast,
The Subordinate Lodges and called
Hon. John w. Woods to respond.
| Mr.. Woods was greeted with applause
as he arose and said:
| ~ feel like l have done enough.
have just gone through most wonder
full performance. | was surprised to
| find that DIR. Pedigo had just discovered
that lips were made for nothing else
but eating and talking.
but am here to respond to the toast
on behalf of Osceola Lodge, and it is
o pleasure for me to speak Of an organi-
cation of which never heard anything
except words of communication. The
organization was effected in tho DAYS
of Big Lick, but disadvantages came
and the little bark went down. In 1885
the highway of progress.
81 believe that no lodge within the
broad boundaries of this State has done
more to allay the bitterness of sectional
strife. We have heard much of the
New South, but hate the term Gap
| piause) am my fathers son and
cannot believe that he knew the prin-
ciplcs he espoused were wrong. These
things were settled by war and / ACCEPT
the result freely. We labor that the
day may come when the South will
build monuments to Grant and when
the North shall wreathe the memory of
Lee with garlands of mcrited praise"
The postmaster proposed the toast,
The Grand Lodge X. Of =. of Virginia.
and called ulon Past Grand Chancellor
w. l.. Garrett. Of I-cesburg. to respond
Arising he said, ''if you will allow me |
address you as brethren and sisters.
know have the right to address YOU as
brethren, and tho ladies have been so
kind to us that feel like calling them
sisters, and besides | have learned that
if the ladies are not wives and daughters
OF brothers they are swecthearts of
brothers.
81 am proud of the history and the
prestige Of Virginia, of the great names
she has given to this country, and all
that she has done for the promotion of
the principles of republican government
and for the cultivation OF true virtue.
and am still prouder of tho progress
She is making in material advancement.
If my foresights had been as good as
my hindsights wouldn't have swapped
fortunes with Vanderbilt tonight. for
/