Birmingham state herald., 1897-02-21
THE WEDDING TABLE CLOTH History of a Cover Which Served
 Thirty Years Ago AT AN AUSPICIOUS EVENT Fifteen Wedding Dinners Were Served Upon It Since-Resume as Read by Partic-
 ipant at the Last Event.

TedQ Dy d JOdAS idQy cI a WSNNiiS "A'~AA occurred recently in East Alabama, will prove interesting. The table cloth refer red to first saw service thirty years ago at a wedding. Since that suspicious oc- casion the cloth has done similar service on fourteen other occasions, each event being the more interesting as all of them were in the same family from generation to generation The most interesting feature perhaps, is the fact that the present owner of the precious cloth is unmarried Following is the history of the
 WEDDING TABLE CLOTH"
 The story of my life! Did I hear any one say that they wished to hear it? You don't mean to say that you are will , ling to pay me 50 high compliment on such an occasion as this. when I feel that am sufficiently honored to be only the back k-ground for this bright scene and have no right to be too conspicuous, else I might spoil the picture or to tam talize you when the wants of the inner man are patiently waiting to be satis- fled.
 Then you surely do me an honor if on this evening I am given precedence and am actually allowed to speak and put into words what for many long years have been only thoughts. I thank you all for this and shall try to show my gratitude by being just as brief as pos sible.
 Yes, I heard them all as they were planning the little details of this happy evening. One thing after another was brought up and decided upon and | thought for a long while that what in my younger days played so conspicious a part on this occasion it was going to be left out altogether; but after a long and anxious waiting I was greatly re- warded by hearing this remark: Mama, why can't we bring out the old wedding table cloth and use it? Don't you think worn and old now? Mama, don't think it is, and ah! it would be so nice to have it. Think of the bright scenes and happy recolections it would bring up! You say we may get it out and see if it will do? All right
 Then pity, patty, pitty, patty, I heard them coming up stairs and I knew that much would depend upon my personal ap- pearance, and realizing this l tried hard to smooth out the wrinkles, I tried hard to hide the thin, worn places that time had brought. I had not long to do this, either, for in few moments warning up went a big packing trunk lid and down through the contents of the trunk two quick, busy hands went, and when I was finally found resting quietly at the bottom, drawn out and decided upon to be used, you can't imagine how proud and happy l felt.
 They didn't need me just then, so they laid me gently back, and after having been reused from my long nap. my brai4 became active and my thoughts began to revert to and dwell upon the past as we all do when we get old, and after having rehearsed it in thought then, am glad that I am allowed to express it in words this evening for this may be my last appearance in public and these may be the last words I may ever utter.
 will carry you back with me and be7 gin with just such a part of my life as may be entertaining to you. Ten, twen- ty, thirty years ago there was going to be a wedding in the home of the grand parents of tonight's bride. One of her aunts was going to be married, and says the motherly old grandmother, as she consults with one of her daughters she so much depended on, ''the war hay ing just closed I know we are not as able to have things as nice as we did before; but we must try to make the marriage of this child as merry and happy as we can." They were making some purchases in dry goods store and after little the clerk placed me upon the counter. l may be worn and faded now, and you may not see much in me to admire, but on that day, so elegant and rich was I in design and texture, so soft and glossy were my fine linen dress that even the most fas- tideous in taste could not be otherwise than pleased with me. This grandmoth- CT, though she has been dead over thirty years ago, bought me, took me home and withsfl her own dear fingers hemmed my borders, thus destining me to cover many wedding tables.
 How well I remember the first occa- sion on which I was used! I could hear the table fairly groan beneath me as I felt the heavy weight of the sumptuous feast laden me down. I can see in fancy now the numerous large white cakes, with their fringes and faces and high standing embossingst With each addi- tional round of the stiff, frosty crusts, No1 -l,s my anxiety Jest the lacy, latticed struct- ures should totter and fall and thus ruin my snowy surface. But, oh! I forget promised not to dwell too long upon my happy past.
 Let me think Yes, must be getting old. Age has stamped the years indeli- bly, upon me. That was in 1865; since then I have been spread for fourteen wedding tables, besides for vast numbers of parties, dinners and other special oc- casions.
 In 1867 was used to celebrate the mar riage of a child and also niece of this writer In 1S69-I think two that are here this evening can readily recall a bright, beautiful scene-an evening above all evenings the most important to them, eternally traced upon memory's pages and need not assist them to re- member the happy faces and the merry hour. when their own hearts were light, free from care and the untried future lay out before then-I covered the table that served these two their first meal in married life.
 In 1870 friend of the family married and was used In 1871 was in demand twice, once for a friend and again for another child of the master
 Then for two other friends, the dates fail to recall
 In 1877 I was spread in honor of a double wedding. Two grandchildren this time, both brothers. married sisters.
 In 1872 another friend of the family.
 In 1SS7--does anyone present remember s anything of importance in their lives to have occurred during that year? Think, and let your mind go backward to nearly ten years ago. Isn't there sweet, solemn hour treasured sacredly away, and some how intimately associated with the year 1887? know you haven't forgotten your wedding day Well, after that holy cere- mony you ate your first supper upon me.
 And now this Is 1897, and you know all
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