American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-08-31
The Tournament.

e perfect success. At an early hour
V between eight hundred and a thOus
!. and people had collected on tn
4 grounds, beneath the shady grow
= which nature has so generously pro
Q vided as if for q tournament. 4
: more lovely and suitable spot coult
not have been found for the Occa
sion. At 10 O'clock, Maj. b. j
Semmcs, the orator of the day, wa:
introduced to the assembly, by
President Wales, and delivered &
most eloquent and entertaining ad
dress, brief, but to the point, and
every word characteristic of the
gallant orator. AS an imprOmpIu
speaker, the Major has not his equal.
After the opening address, the Off
GERS, orator, newspaper reporters,
sc retired to the centre building,
which had been erected for their
benefit. After we had seated our
selves comfortably, and few other
arrangements had been settled by
the officers, the knights, fifteen in
number, lead by the Field Marshal,
rode into lists. AS they appeared,
murmurs of applause and admira-
ton fell from the lips of all, and in
truth, it was a gorgeous and impos-
ing spectacle. Fifteen gallant
knights, mounted on fiery steeds,
and decked in gay and elegant at
tire, made the hearts of maidens
futter, and half persuaded all that
the days of ancient chivalry had re-
turned. After riding round three
times the knights retired midst
cheers of applause. After this the
fitting commenced, which consumed
a space of three hours, and i'll which
the finest hOrsemanship was dis
played that we have ever seen.
When each knight had ridden the
third time the prizes were awarde d
as follows:
ASt ~ANLUAI NO oNh ~ LoFE.
2nd-Poor Boy at the w edding.
3rd-Knight of Dark Corner.
The exercises of the Tournament
were then suspended for 30 minutes
that the knights might attend to
the welfare of the "inner man,
We accepted the invitation of our
warm hearted friend, MI. Wales, |
to the bountitul repast, supplied by
his estimable lady, and served, pic
nic fashion to hungry knights and
other friends, under the
overspre aiding boughs OF giant
oak. Mrs. w. is certainly the clev-
crest lady we ever met. Never did
we feel SO perfectly at home with
strangers. Her repu-
tatlon for hospitality, throughout
The county, is we'll merited for she
bears off the palm before
all others. With easy grace and
manners did she make all
her guests feel that they were wei
come, and showed that it was a
pleasure to have them dine with
her. And right here We take Occa-
sion to say that We were impressed
with the bOundless hospitality of
Ill the citizens of North Madison.
They certainly know how to do the
6 big thing" and had an Oppol tuni-
" to show it Thursday.
Immediately after dinner the con
est for premiums for graceful riding
ook place. The following knights
we're selected by the fair judges:
of My Native Land.
Eagle.
rd-Knight Outlawed.
The coronation next took place.
The KNIGHT No ONE TO LOVE-"
found - some one to love-" ill the
beautiful Miss Ellen c., a Camden
belle, whom he crowned Queen of
Love and Beauty. The "Poor Boy"
is certainly not poor in taste. He
bestowed his crown upon the fair
brow of Miss Mary-Jane o., a star
eyed Sharon belle. The other
exhibited as good taste i'll
their selections, each of them crown
ing u maiden i'll every respect wor-
Thy of the high honor shown her.
We do not know which of the
knights had the honor of browning
he elegant and lovely Miss Matte
H., but his taste is certainly unques-
The coronation address
was made by our young and talent
ed friend: Thomas Ward, and would
have distinguished an orator of twice
his years. Containing eloquence,
feeling, originality and wit, it would
nave done credit to Roman Sena-
.Or. Madison should be proud of
such son. His brilliant effort
was the closing feature of the Tour
splendid finale to Il
splendid entertainment. Our friend
Mr.. Ed. Jarpon, who Officiatel as