The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-01-12
ROYALTY ENTERTAINED
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS BAN.
QUOTED AT SOUTHERN PINES.

A Brilliant Affair az " hic!l Good Cheer
AbOunded-iline Host 81. john, OF
the Piney Woods Inn, Again Proves
Himself a koya! Eutertaiuer-a jolly
Crowd and Capital Dinner Spread.
That famed and favorite habitat
OF health and pleasure seekers and
tra'eiing people generally, the Pincv
Woods Inn. Southern Pines. \. G..
was the scene of brilliant and
highly enjoyable event Monday even
ing at which it was the writer's good
fortune to be present. II WAS the
third annual BANQUET given complf-
mentary TO the commercial tra sc ,crs
by Mr.. Charles St. John, MANAGE of
the Ing.
There were between seventy-five
md one hundred guests. some of
Ehom had travelled hundred OF miles
Il get there-and NJ one had cause
tt regret it. 4 filter place could not
ave been selected. The accommodate
''> are all that could be desired for
"A affair Of this kind-and certainly
no more capable hands could have
been turned TO the task OF providing
for and entertaining these or any
other guests. IT was genial and
jolly crowd and many were the warns
told and Jokes cracked.
1t WAS 8 o'clock when the dining
room doors We're thrown open and
Mr. st. John babe his guests enter
and hes seated. The banquet table
was arranged in the shape OF cross.
the main portion extending from near
the door along the centre If he floor
we'll back toward the further end.
The spacious hall was brilliantly
lighted. the table decorations heauti-
full and the service bOuntiful.
The nacRu was varied and elaborate
and consisted Of eight courses
Everything was served in the highest
style of the cooking art-each dish
being ctt-d' Gurre of its kind The
spread was sumptuous throughout
he viands savory enough to tempt an
eplcure or satisfy the taste OF a
cOnnoisseur. The wines were dark
and light followed with champagne.
Supper finished Col. f. H Barclay.
OF the Lexington (Ea) Ga:cac. arose
and called the gay company from the
feaSting season and flowing bowl 10 a
feast of reason and flow of soul. He
therefore proposed a toast to our
honorcd host Mr.. Charles St. John.
whose generous hospitality we had
al so much enjoyed. Mr. St. John
vas then called upon and responded
IN short but appropriate manner
expressing in words of cordial well
come what he had so cleverly de-
monstrated by act and deed. lie
showed himself as apt an after
dinner speaker as he is genial host
and successful caterer to the comfort
and pleasure of his guests.
Mr.. b. c. Pearce, of Sanford.
representing Young, Creighton &
DlgTs, Baltimore, was next speaker
His remarks were brief but fall Of
warmth and feeling. Mr.. pearce
made friends among those who heard
him just as he does with merchants
throughout his territory to whom he
talks the merits of his shoes.
Mr.. st. John then introduced Col.
+. II. Barclay, of Virginia, who
responded in an eloquent speech.
A gallant eN-Confederate soldier who
carries a badge OF bravery in the
shape of an empty sleeve Col Barclay
was qualified to speak of the men
who wore the Blue and the men who
wore the Gray-noble heroes all who
did their duty as they saw it-and the
fraternal feeling that now exists be
tween the sections. He paid himh
tribute to the followers of Grant and
Hancock as we'll as those of Lee and
jackson, acd declared that the men
OF 81 to SO on whichever side they
fought, shed undving lustre on
american manhood. And that both
veterans and the sons Of veterans are
ready to defend the glorious Stars
aid Stripes with equal valor and
dygged determination the recent war
with Spain offered abundant proof.
Col. Barclay spoke approximately Of
Mr.. St. Johns hospitality and en-
tainment and his illusions to that
gentleman were punctuated with
hearty applause.
DR.. r. G. S. Mcneil, of Pine Bluff,
was next called upon. A gentleman
of fine address, kindly face and en-
gazing manner he put the company
in good humor with him before he
had uttered word. DR.. Mcneil
made humorous speech and set the
house in an uproar of laughter.
The next speaker was Capt. J. p.
Leach, of Littleton. He touched
upon topics of the war and became
reminiscent telling number of Jokes
at the expense OF both '.Yank" and
''Johnnv Reb."
and Mr.. j. r. ,Witherspoon. of San
ford, both made brief remarks in re-
sponse to calls.
Mr.. st. John then called upon the
GOLD LEAF representative. But we
couldn't make a speech. The hour
was getting late-it was then ! So
and it was noticed that some of the
"bovs" were anxious to get away. We
preferred the good will of our fellows
Chose present. to making speech.
and then we didn't know exactly how
II address such body. We could
not say ''fellow knights Of the grip"
LecauSc we have not the honor Of
lrlonging to.the vast army Of com
Mcrcial scouts. We could not greet
them as brethren of the quill. be
cause all Of them did not belong to
the profession represented by the
modest but ubiquitous wieldcr of the
paste pot and shears. howbeit we
have it upon the authority Of Editor
Pagan. of the Aberdeen Telegram. that
the newspaper field in Moore county
has not been entirely pre-empted.
But as fellow Tar Heels we stood
on common ground. No matter from
whence they hail or what their an
tecelents or previous condition Of
servitude. those who come here down
among the pines take on NIGHTLY to
Moth Calling ways and soon become