Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-11-12
From the Ladies' National Magazine.
AGNES COURT ENAY.
A TALE OF THE OLD DOMINION.
BY CHARLES J. PETERSON.
CHAPTER I.-BLINDMANs BUFF.

"LennoX as liyel' exclaimed avolce IN tones
Of the warmest hospitality, as the owner appear
ed at the door Of his mansion. 81 am oyerjoyed
TO see you. Welcome to virginia."
As young Courlenay spoke, he grasped the
hand of his friend, and ordering Ihegroom TO take
the horses, dragged Lennox by main force into
Iha drawing room.
This reminds me of old times" he continu-
ed. "You haven't forgotten the gay hours we
spent together when We were at Oxiordl And
you have made the lourof Europe since! Come,
sit down and lot US hear all aboutit."
The TWO friends, like most of the sons Of the
wealthy southerners atthe day of which we write,
had been educated in England and had parted
three years before in London the one 10 return
to his parimonia halls in Virginia, the other to
makethe tour of the continent. Lennox had just
come back from his travels, and, after a few days
spent in his native colony of South Carolina, had
hastened to redeem long standing promise TO
visit Courtenay Hail.
The period of which we write was that of the
revolution; but in 1873, al which date our story
begins, the war had not yet invaded the Old Do
mlnlon. That rich and aristocratic colony conse-
quenly was less affected by the troubles Of the
period than any of its neghbors. Her stately
mansions still resounded with mrlh and song her
beautiful daughters were yet as gay as everi and
a casual visitor would have remained ignorant of
the great deeds ransacting around him, from
whose lhroes a nation was tdebe born.
1t was a splendid and gorgeous era-never alasl
10 return again. Countless wealth united to mag
nfcent tastes had made the adiesand gentlemen
of the olden time in Virginia race, whose like
we shall never look upon again. Theirhosptal-
ity was as proverba as their refinement Of man
ners and their chivalrous courtesy. true Vlr-
gnian could scarcely be said TO live at home
Associated in large and jovia parties, they pass
ed from country.seat to country-seat, each host
meeting them inturn with new amusements. We
have an aged relative who delights to tell that,
even in later and degenerate day, she has lelt
her home for a few hours visit, but been forced TO
proract her absence for weeks, being dragged
from mansion to mansion by the hospitality of
the Old Dominion.
"But should long since have presented you to
our guests" said young Courtenay rising, alter
few minutes spent in conversing Of old times,
'we have gay party here, most of them Virgin
ians, the gentlemen frank and brave, the ladies
beautiful as morning. We have also the Able
OeEouet. with whom made acquaintance IN Pa
is: though he gets the revenue, he IS not yet a
lerpyman however. He is the life of all. The
hole party is somewhere in the garden, whittier
ey went an hour ago, leaving me to write let
8, for which Agnes-you have heard ME speak
my sisterl-caed me hermit"
With these words he took his friends arm and
led him down broad graveIIed walk, through a
garden luxuriant with trees and flowers. As they
proceeded, sounds of merriment fell on the ear,
and when about hundred yards distance from
-, ,,,, Il intp 81
most animated scene.
The party appeared to be engaged on green
lawn in playing Bindmans Buff. Foremost IN
the group was gentleman, whose plain black
dress showed him to be the Able: his eyes were
blindfolded, and with outstretched arms he was
feeling his way along, while the players made
room for him right and left. beautiful girl
simply dressed in white, with blue ribbons quill
led around her gown, had retreated against tree
and with arms held back just managed to escape
the Able. Another, less fortunate, had stumbled
and fallen on the grass, and gentleman behlnc
her richly dressed, was provokngy kissing he
hand. This, however, was not all her mlshaps
for the Able had just trod on her lap-dog, which
was bowling piteously. second gentleman, in
laced coat and hat, stood at the left of the Able
and with both hands 10 his mouth was hallooine
in the Frenchmans ear. third, sheltered be-
hind tree, was laughing heartily at the specta
Gle. But the most prominent Of all in the group
next to the Able, was young girl OF great beau
~, who, attired with coquettsh little hat, stooC
Just behind the Able and TO his right, tickling hi'
cheek with a straw. About the dress and air o
this lovely vision there was piquancy perfectly
bewitching.
There was hearty laugh on all sides, wher
the players found themsevesdls discovered yastran
ger. Soon after the party broke up into pairs
Lennox attached himself to the coqueush beau
ty, whom he had been introduced to as Courte
nays sister. She instantly led the way 10 live
ly conversation.
"You see u.s." she said, "engaged in what SOM
would call child's play; but the Able says man /
only a larger sort of child, and that Bndman'
Buff is as sensible as dancing. Philosophy, L
ROSSeaE, you know is now all the fashion. be
sides, in Virginia, we love to be merry. Perhap
you will think US hoydensl"
"That can never be,' said Lennox. "But wh1
character must give the gentemen!"
"Oh! the gentlemen leap five barred gates
hunt seven hours day-and welcome the morn
ing with cup of sack. They are just what yo
see they all are there, with the exception of Ere
large boned, passabIy handsome, and richI
dressed-a sort of civilized giants in very goo
conceit Of themselves"
Lennox laughed at this satlrlcal sketch.
"But Thought" he said, THAT The Virginia ger
temen were celebrated for courtllneSs."
"And so they are, if complimenIng can max
them so. If we ladies believed half the prett
things said of US, we should look on ourselves
angels. But it is only because they are so val
themselves that The gentlemen hatter us-they
it out Of pity to US, poor souls!"
"Some of them seem very busy at it now" sa
Lennox gancing with a smile around him.
Il. L..