The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-10
THE TOURNAMENT.
SPECIAL Correspondence Of the Unlon.l

FAUQuIER WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS,
September 8, 1858.
Owing to the existence of campmeeting in the vi
entity, where 5000 900 persons said to have
sembled and to several othdt causes it became generally
believed the tournament advertised for this day here
would prove failure, and many who desired to attend
staid away for that reason alone. But we have been
most agreeably surprised, and in casual vewof the
shaded hill sde overlooking the beautiful grounds on the
banks Of the Rappahannock, graphically pictured by
c. r. p. James, in the Knickerbocker for this month
would suppose the numbers approximated those of
the most crowded seasons.
At the sound Of the bugle, nine knights under the
escort of the marshal after being presented to the la
dies, entered the lists and tho tourney commenced by
practical rider his welknown gray bearing off the
ring the point of his lance Others followed in equal
STYLE and at the end Of the third round it appeared to the
ladies' judges and their connseors, that the knight of
the Lone Star and the knight of Abingdon vicors
of the field, but with equal claims to the honor of
browning the Queen of love and beauty Others had made
most gallant efforts which would have been sufficient to
justify full SKETCH but the single contest which followed
between the two already mentioned became deeply
interesting omit them for the present at least The
Lone Star was practsed knight renowned for
triumphs many fields, and by many deemed irwin
chile; he of Abingdon STRIPPING, unknown to such
fields of fame, yet bold enough to accept challenge
from the isbravest of the brave" Each spendidly
mounted The bugle sounded the charge, to single
combat and again the Lone Star dashed forth
row, and congratulated by triumphant blasts of
sic and the smiles of beauty Abingdon followed ON his
cd his firm grasp with hand the rein, while the
other held his spear it bone of his person
Again. and again and again was this single combat main
tanned between the veteran ayorite of many trumps
impatient of his dues and the asprant to distinction
whose power and grace in Workmanship seemed equal to
any adversary The excitement of the became in
tense-the friends of the the other courteous
knight were alternately buoyant apprehensvethe
Bile secds participated in the feeling to such degree that
The usually gentle and manageable charger accustomed
easy victories became almost frantic at such persist
en and well sustained resistance to its claims slner
vvnvrvI-utrs OF speed ana
power must be tempered by caution in conflict with
such an Adversary who seemed equal to any necessity
the veteran in fame reluctantly left his avore char
gers wrath TO cool, and with "a gallant gray once
more dashed to tho goal with accustomed result,
amidst the waving of handkerces and the sound of mu
sic--as if to say ..folow, now, who can. The noyi
ciate not vet in full maturity of manhood by his deeds
responded :. what any other may dare will do, and
left the conflict still undeodedas the buge continued
its blasts as loudly for him for his foeman andt was
not until the hitherto unheardof ninth conflict (si in
single contes that victory peched the banner of the
youthful competitor.
The Queen chosen, "a fair flower not yet released
from a distinguished Catholic seminary with her maids
of honor and all escorted by the knights TO the
pavilion having enjoyed scene, never equallcd here
in Duration between the two rivals FOR the first honor
and never exceed in the horscmanship they displayed
beautiful throne erected by the ladies, and the
ball was kept up to unusual hour, and now send
you this hasy sketch sort of punishment for not be-
inu there to see, " a DFEC1AIOh.