Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-01-25
IN SOCIAL CIRCLES
INCIDENTS AT WASHINGTON
FORMAL FUNCTIONS.
Lady Diner Showed Incomprehenslbie
Ignorance of Her country's His
tory Another GrieVousIy
Offended Her Hostess.

A book might easily be written and
called Dinner Guests Have Met"
and 1t would prove interesting reading,
for certainly some Washingtonians
have queer experiences in the course
OF busy social season.
distinguished American who had
represented this country in several
courts of Europe went to Washington
last winter to spend the season. He
had been there only a few days when
he received an invitation from the
president and Mrs. Roosevelt to a large
dinner.
On his arrival at the White House
the usual small white envelope, which
contained the name of the guest whom
he was to take out to dinner was
handed to him. 1t was a name with
which he was not familiar and con.
veyed nothing TO him, 30 after greet,
ing the president and Mrs. Roosevelt
be asked to be presented to his dinner
partner, handsome and well dressed
woman. By the time that was accom-.
plished dinner was announced and he
promptly offered her his arm and they
walked ont to the state dining room.
On the way there she informed him
that, she was simply starving, and he
told her that she could find no better
place 20 lose her appetite than at the
dinner table. When they were seated
she devoted her entire attention to
oysters and only answered his remarks
by nodding her head. This went on
until the fish course was reached when
abe stopped eating long enough to
ask:
Have you ever dined at the White
House befOre?"
He answered in the Affirmative and
again his hungry neighbor relapsed
into silence and the enjoyment OF her
dinner. In desperation he turned TO
the woman on his left, and for some
time carried on desultory converse.
ton with her He was suddenly
startled by his right hand nelghbor
tapping him on the shoulder and ask.
ing him In a peremptory tone:
Who we're the guests present when
you first dined at the White House?"
He told her frankly that he could
not remember as It was long ago, but
that did not satisfy her curiosity. so
after sampling the salad she returned
20 the charge, and inquired who was
president OF the United States at thai
time.
Franklin Pierce" was the quiet re-
ply.
She stopped eating and stared at
him.
You seem to think you can get
rise out OF me" she declared. angrlly.
But let me tell you, I'm not such
fool az I look. / know perfectly well
there never was a president by that
name" And she Indignantly turned
her back on him for the rest OF the
evening
The wife Of q prominent senator.
representing an eastern state. had
been much annoyed by the persistent
Efforts OF a woman, whose husband
was also In political life, to force an
acquaintance upon her Having re-
fused many invitations from this
source, she finally felt obliged to re-
turn the obligation, and. therefore. IN.
vited the woman to a formal luncheon.
Her entertainments were noted for
their quiet elegance, and. being a
woman who was fastidious in her
tastes, she hated pretense and osten-
thtion Of any description. II was a
luncheon Of IS. and the table appoint
ments we're handsome. The guest IN
question began at the first course to
point out and admire everything upon
the table from the flowers TO the wine
glasses. until her fulsome praise at.
tracted the attention OF the other
guests
As the luncheon proceeded II was
plainly 70 be seen that the hostess was