The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-05-08
TIE CONFEDERATE HOME EHCUR.
SION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.
We were one of happy party who accom-
panied the ladies and children Of the Confede-
rate Home, on Saturday, upon their delightful
excursion to Drayton Hall and its surround
ings on the Ashley River.
The day was most propiuous, and neither
clustering winds or scorching heat gave in
convenience to the merry party.
The graceful little steamer Pilot Boy, deck
ed In her holiday array, had the honor of bear
ing the precious freight OF beauty and its at
tendant servitors. She looked spick and span,
as Though scrubbng-brush and holy.stones
had been at work for week at least In prep
aration for the.event. Her gentlemanly COM
mauder, Captain McNelty, seemed as radiant
as the day, and multiplied himself in his kind
and devoted attentions.
We had never seen the banks OF the Ashley
more beautiful, nor its waters more calm and
placid. Nature had hung Its green mantle
upon every tree, and. as the poet tells 1t,
''Phebus did cheer the crystal stream, and
glad the azure sky." First, landing at Mag
nolia In company with lts hospitable proprie-
tor, the party visited the gardens that sur
round the noted mansion. 1t was wilder
ness of flowers of all hues and lovellness.
Through endless paths and avenues of azaleas,
roses and sweet jessaminee, and by fairy lakea,
the excursionists wandered-wecomed by
singing birds at every step, while the atmos-
phere seemed laden and oppressed with
perfume. The party then, in long procession,
crossed the old fields, ssluted by antlqnated
maumas and their half-clad urchins, standing
at the door of their cabins, and wended their
way to Drayton Hall. This venerable struc-
ture, renowned for its ancient hospitallties. Is
still In habitable condition, notwithstanding
the ivy creeps along its walls, and opening
creyices and broken marble stalrways mark
the ravages of time.
At length the banquet was announced by q
sound OF the bugle, and beneath the wide
spread branches of huge old oak, that might
shelter an army, the viands were spread, com.
posed of every delicacy that could be desired
by the most fastldious disciple of Epicurus.
DlsdaInlng tables and benches, In Oriental
style, all couched themselves upon the green
and grassy turf, where surely had been revel-
ling all the fairies Of that region just the
night. t.beiore. Here there was seen our gal
liant company, from the graceful maiden Of
twelve to the fair matron OF forty, for none
above the latter age were permitted at the
fete, while war-worn generals, colonels and
majors, sleek lawyers and venerable mer-
chants waited upon the happy nymphs and
eoddesses with skill and satisfaction that the
best drilled attendants of the Fifth avenue or
the St. Nicholas might have envled and mod
delled from.
Mullers Band soon was heard waking the
echoes Of the old hall in strains that neither
youth or age could Withstand. The old oak
was speedily abandoned. 1t wrinkled its rind
In disgust at this sudden deserlion, and the
whole troop of matrons, maidens and warriors
sped to the dancing hall. Now, who can de-
scribe the Intense enjoyment to which all seem.
ed to abandon themselves? when, as Dick
swlveller would say, after having slipped the
rosy and enjoyed the balmy they began TO
tread the may. We can only describe our
own sensations and delight as, under the spell
of beauty and the waltz, our head became as
soft az CUR heart.
With Lady Ann now whirled about,
knew no bounds Of lime or breath.
And should the cnarmer's mead mold out,
MY heart and heels are her's I'LL death.
oh | ah ah ! oh
Long as with thee skinned the ground,
Nor yet was scorned for Lady Jane,
No hitner youth tetotumed round
To Muller,s suft immortal strain.
Oh ah ah ! oh
But all Joys are eVanescent. Happiness
must have an end. The signal OF departure
was given, and even strawberries and cream
taken from their thrsnes of ice In the cabin OF
the Pilot Boy could not compensate for what
we left behind.
Returning home other steamers passed us
on the river freIghted with music and beauty,
and, as the gentle wind across the water
| brought to US soft sounds of melody, our own
sweet harmonists answered back the choral
strain. Here our captain was again at home,
| and none seemed happier than himself IN his
hospllabe attentions, and when 1t Is known
that. with noble generosity, he scorned all
compensation for hh boat, and that on many
occasions the ladies and orphans Of the Home
are indebted to him for free transportion,
your readers will join us in sncerest wishes
for the happiness and prosperity Of Captain
McNelty, Of the Pilot Boy. DRAGON.
BARN BURN1NG.-The barn and stable oil Mr..
W.P. Deveaux, at Belle Isle Plantation, 81.
Stephens Parish, was destroyed by fire about
four o'clock on Tuesday morning last. Alarge
quantity of corn, fodder and agricultural I'M
Elements, together with two fine mules, were
burned up with the building. There was no
Insurance, The fire was undoubtedly the
work OF an incendiary, as no one was ever
allowed to carry fire near either barn OF
sable.