Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-02-05
The Origin Of "Ping Pong"
BxRRYvrLLE. Va,

~ BxRRYvILLE. VA.
CHANGING over the sparkling contributions
oi your out-of-town correspondents. in the
last weeks issue. We note the fisttering trib-
ute to Bcrryville amongst the gracefully
written society notes of your Milwood rep
resentatiye.
10 not think us possessed. rs is too often
the case, with mere "furor scribendi." but
AS desiring To recognize aud encourage such
determined effort, on the part of our spir-
ited little suburb. tn honor the County Seat.
such unsclfish and chivalric zeal hath not
been known since the days when knight
hood Was in Flower"
we refer, OF course, to the paragraph call
ing attention to the fact that the game of
Ping Pong was first known to have been
played IN Berryville. Up to this time. We
had regarded the invention of this game "a
among the interesting traditions of our
town, but, on consulting the Encyclopedias
CIarkibus (Rsving), and the Ancient History
II Berryville (Rooke). copies of which rare
works have no doubt been added to the ex-
'ensive library of the Country Club. we
gather some valuable information, of which
II Is pleasure to give cur "fellow-citizens"
berryville and the county the benefit.
fing Pong was invented by an early set
tier of Berryville. some years prior to the
discovery and civilization of Clarke. by a
man of the name Of Aleck.
liz Is said that Alexis excuse for bringing
this game into existance was that IL
furnished harmless diversion for number
of Ancient Female Relations. of the
Marianne variety, whose age and ailments
deoarred them the enjoyment OF tennis. of
which Ping Pong is a modification. suitable
for indoor amusement
out this time. living among the settlers
were some partly-tamed Indians of Noble
Lineage, whose squaws were initiated into
the mysteries of this fascinating game
90 soitening was its influence upon the
Drains and hearts ofthese Ardent Daughters
otthe Forest, that to avoid the possibility
OF unpleasant Interruptions from their scalp
loving Men relatives who had formed a
Hunt Club. devoted To the pleasurable pur-
suit of chronological knowledge, they
frequently gave warning of impending
dangers.
On several occasions, il is said that fearful
maSSacres. involving the total annihilation
OF the white colonies in Virginia. were
aVerted through the timely warnings II
these devoted Indian Ping PongerS
At length, very great aunt of Pocahontas.
the famous dusky maiden. was suspected bv
the Indians of divulging the secrets of the
Hunt Club, of which her husband was the
corresponding Secretary. True 10 their
implacable natures, they sought the cruel,st
revenge that savage ingenuity could devise.
"a L.n- ..
miles from Berryville, she was slowly tor
tured tn cruel and lingering death bv
being compelled 10 look upon the game of
Ping Pong played constantly before her
IN which she was not allowed to take mart
or even TO oriticiSe. Near the bank of
the gentle brook, they buried the
unfortunate woman, and for many years as
the Indian braves chased the white QUARRY
they would pause to cast another stone AT the
grave of this traitor To their race. So that in
time the mound became a hill. and finally
little hamlet, with two toll gates. struggled
around its base and up the hill and became
known as Millwood
With the rage for antiques. Ping PONG
was revived in Berryville a few wears ngo
and introduced by English tourists into
Ensland on their return to their native
land where 1t has become popular game.
Americans are now enthusiastic Ping
Ponge's under the impression that it's
English, don't you know"
Such is the true history Of 2 ny Pong. the
game which has now become an object OF
such passionate yearnIng and soul-absorbing
anxiety AS 20 drive our unhappy neighbors
10 the madness of Gambling Solitaire"
and the delirium of Bridge Whit" whilst.
with hope deferred, they await the return
OF the uPto-date Galahad from his success
ful quest Of the fascinating Ping Pong.
May they realize their fondest dreams at
AL early day.
Len DIEN