The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1865-11-01

. I L0ftCtH0GdJ
There was TO be a dancing soiree or bah,
at Elmxood, the elegant country seat of the
CDowager, Mrs. Rivulet, within twelve miles
ofHoliday House ]; aud allwithin that radius
who were on her visiting list, werezon the
a1 yiye in anticipation of the expected event,
fer the Dowagers house had long been closed
= 10 gayety, and all who remembered her. as
: eRs tue queens of society, and. her 9ecAor-.
che shteI inmeDts in 5y.gone era, looked
Forward to this soiree daslsante as 2 very ele-
CANT affair, and thsRevent Of the season.
Young ladies' wcreTn an agreeable state Of
excitement in preparationfor the fete, but all
declaring themselves, ike Flora McFlirnsy,
with !" nothing to- wear" though with much
more excuse fer their plea than Miss Flora,
for the war ana blockade had rendered their
wardrobes sufficiently scanty no doubt, and
therefore, great was the excitement in renew
ing and returning old mu&lins, or, where cir
s1cu4astanceS :periuittcd, in getting cacw eones
for the occasion. Earline wrote to her dear
ss3Aele do TO Sends her a new Swiss smuslin
dress for Mrs. Rivulct's party, otherwise sire
> must ,uape at homc;" and forthwith the next
train bore to the expcctant damsel the deli
u cate fabric neatly done up in a brown PAPER
parcel, accompanied with a pair of baluoral
CATERS by way Of surprise. The kind-hearted
Georgian aud his clerical chum, were des-s
patched into the sylvan haunts around Holi-
DAY House, for the earliest bright autumn
-:5leaYcsxnd scarlet berries, to compose wreath
eF E;ti.. IN the absence of roses, WHICH
out Of season, and the fasgefulneSs os
kitty uncle ii; not having thought to send
reath Of artificial flowers as a cogoaal for
occasion. Armed with a large wicker,
Skct, the two set out With great gusto in
arch OF these sylvan treasures and after
syersing rerdant meadows shady rayines,
osky dells, and sunny slopes, they Sac-
cumbe1 to the heat Of the, day, which vas.
excessive, and returned witaget the berries,
but with a quantity.of darkTed leaves which
were discarded astoo. som6re; and the Somes
what hackneycd ivy wreath vas adopted as a.
lefaiess resort g. -&1 :. -, g. i :,
As we had twelve miles to go to reach the
festive scene, the necessity for early teilettes
onstbe psTtosthe gentlemen, was imperative.
Ia lieu of carriages We were fain to take
:. passage in four horse omnibus, but were
aalFeadfully shaken rp and iolted in conse-
9uence of the rough roads. The young Ia
dies Lurline and Undine very prudently post
poned making 'le grand toilette, until they.
had arrived, at Elmwood, and as We arrived
early there.was ample time. =.
- Eltnwood is superior to most country resi-
lences, and Il owt S, this superiority, IN great
sncasttre, tositS tasteful and energetic owner,
the Bowager. Her town residence, in days
of fayoye, was model Of elegance and taste,
especially in It's surroundings, for her flower
garden vas q Wilderness of sweets. and the
lovers of the beautiful aud the deyotees of
Flora here found their appropriate temples Of
worship. Il vas in fact quite celebrated. The
country residence vas not irferiot4n any fes-
pect to the former. There was the same
zEommodiousness and elegance in the mansion
which was Immediately surrounded with a
grove Of elnls and .other shade trees, whilst
o1tsids of these fine trees there was an ex-
tepsiye flower garden, which might have com
-gpafed mot unfavorably with the gardens Of
-sst54rabys the blest,'' especially when viewed
by moonlight :ss Arrived at the front entrance
~saEe were politely received,by the only snrviV-
ing son of the Dowager, who is courtly and
:. polished in his manners, and upon whom 1t
dissolved tosdo the henors, but who was as
8 sisted by the digni6ed and courteous brother
of the Dowager, who is gentleman of the
.7nld school and is high in civil Office. , The
drawing room, which opened with large fold,
.ing doors, with stuccoed walls and high cell
ing,. .isG noble room, and is hung with por
traits of the family done by the first artists
The one which: occupied the centre Of th'
group and was most prominent and OF unu
: -sual size, was the portrait Of a distinguished
son, who was also the eldest. 80
cr The selady chatelaine'' of Elnwood is per
=. :fsctz. type or model Of fashionable lady
4nifly years ago, and as such possesses lnte
rest to the observer of manners. Her Por
trait, taken years ago; still retains much
elegadsse in the style and costume. It woul'
lock well in: an engraving at any period, ant
is therefore classic. The tasteful cap AM
short curls would not have been unbecomin
to the. celebrated female belle seprit-Lad!
z,BIessingtou. One Of the first persons VII
attracted my attention after entering tn
- a2ar!6g roQag was a middle aged marie