The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1865-10-18
A Visit 10. Holiday House, \
OR, THE FANGIFUL AND REAL.
By REV. cREAMcHEEsE.

pony, Centaur, by name, awaited me and haV-
ing mounted him, he bore me off with the
greatest alacrity, and with the most charming
PAGES, through sunny lanes, shady dels and
breezy uplands, till with an exhilirating cantor
rode up to the front of the mansion, and dis
mounted with my little cicerone, who had ridden
behind me. Fair Holiday, House, the seat Of un-
obtrusi7e, but elegant hospitality, with Its Eamb-
ling architecture, it's wide and extensive gaI-
leries, ,arcades and verSndahS, its smooth es
planade, its shady bowers, its venerable oaks,
its park-Iike grounds, its extensive news, mea-
dows and corn fields, is graceful avenue and
pavilion of symmetrical architecture, its charm3
TO spend few days in the sweet retirement of
the country, surrounded by the genial influences
of nature, in her most varied and pleasing
aspects, and the society of refined, elegant and
cultivated females. vas welcomed with that
unmistakeables ssincerity which is characteristic
of s'the lady chatelane," and was received by
the four ladies OF the mansion as they sat at their
work in the pleasant library, where was induoE-
ed into an armchair, which for luxurious re-
pose, might we'll be called '!Sleepy Hollow" I
had been Commissioned by the two younger
ladies, to make certain shopping purchases for
them, before leaving town, and as soon as the
sable porters had arrived with the boxes, pack
ages, &c. there was the exciting interest of open
ing and displaying the various articles oSmy
ping commission ; and the four ladies, each
in turn and true to their feminine instincts and
tastes. expatated: upon, the various merits of
Brown merino, plaid poplin, India muslin, French
hats and Persian CATERS. was complimented
exceedingly upon my correct taste in the selec-
tions, which, Of course, increased nay good humor
and added to.the enjoyment of the hour. After
the exhibition of these feminine treasures, Vas
told that my apartment was ready, if wished the
refreshment of forenoon siesta or to lave my
face and hands, OF to change my apparel, after
warm dusty ride on the cars. Upon this hint,
retired along the verandah to the snug chamber,
which had always been appropriated to me on
former visits, where the neat, comfortable and
even luxurious arrangement and appointments
of the room seemed even more inviting than
usual The handsome set Of cottage furniture,
a Ia Bauarian, the snowy drapery'of the, couch,
with silken comfort, folded double at the foot
of the Uedr Ito be used in case of a change0of
temperature The large white downy pillows,
covered with fine linen ard rufaed with fine cam
brio, the ever and basin of gilt porcelain> the
dark crimson curtains, and the airiness of the
apSE snent, made it asnug and inviting retreat.
found that the chamber had already tenant,
who vas absent on a VISIT but whose portmanteap
and Valises were in the room. This tenant, or
guest rather, proved to be q Georgia Captain,
who, with other officers of the Confederate Army,
from various States, had on a former occasion,
claimed and received the hEpitalty of ''Holiday
House" This captain had returned to South
Garolint, and had made one or two visits to
Holiday House and its vicinity. LIE had been
here &bolt two weeks, visiting about in She
neighborhood, and making his headquarters
there. After had beeEsin the room ABOUT an
hour or more, my retirement was interrupted by
tho -AdEasat -of eaFyrusu, wUO round 10 be
genuine type ofa certain class Of Georgians. He
came in with mixture of boldncss and shyness,
for the ladies' with their usual fondness, for
Mystifyfng and hoaxing their male friends. and
acquailtances, had informed him of the new oc-
cupant of the,r room, but had purpoSely misled
him as to who the occupant was. He evidently
had doubts upon the subject, and after partial
opening of the door and looking in, he advanced
with some diffdenee, whilst arose from my re,
cumbent posture to receive him. was rot ex-
actly the person he e1pectedeo seer but he socn
conjectured whom ] was; and with mixture OF
cordiality and bashfGlpess came forward to shake.
hands with me. We were to be room-mates for
the few days of my stay; and set myself to
work. with some hstlessness at first, to make his
acquaintance and to draw him out. l found him
to be one Of a genus who are somewhat refresh
ing to meet with after the usual conYeutionalt es
Of: society, and though unpublished and Sithout
much del8sey of character, had still freshness
and heartiness Of characterS and capacity, of
physical enjoyment from his robust health, which
was rather engaging and exhilirating He was
perfectly at home wherever he went, and was
kind-hearted man. If his manner and voice had
been toned down by polish and refinement, and
his language improved some, he would have been
very prcsentable in society: But as the leopard
cannot change his spots, and be (the Gaptain)
had some very good traits, I was fain to affiliate
with him. especially as he professed to my lady
friends to have taken most unusual liking to
me, though had been only ordinarily civil and
polite to him. found him not at-all objection
able as roommate, for in his personal habits he
was very neat and cIeanly, thong his wardrobe
was somewhat BIZARRE or rather not in perfect
taste. He seemed to- be man of good morals,
was not profane OF addicted to any gross vices
that could discover from his conversation. I
think his female relations must have exercised o
good influence upon him.. for there we're evi-
dences Of it in his conduct and conversation.
He evidently liked good female, society, though
his manners were somewhat bsusque. In due
course of time, dinner was announced, and we
Joined the ladiesSssBs they passed our room en-
their way to the dining room, which opehed upon
tho eastern extremity of the yerandah The diu-