Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-01-20
WINTER PloN1Cs.-A new form of enter

WINTER PICNICS.-A new form of enter
tainment is the winter picnic" 1t is not
unlike the old fashioned surprise party, but
differs in this respect, that the hostess is a
consenting party. and that gentlemen usually
provide the eatables. A roomy house is es>
sential; and lady signifying her willingness
to "receive" in this way, she is expected to
decorate it profusely with greenery, festoon-
ing the walls, placing plants in pots, Christ
mas trees here and there, and flowers every
where, Transforming it into bower of beauty
A committee of gentlemen send out the in
sending hamper of game (cooked), another
boiled ham, third fruit, fourth buisquits,
cake. and the like, until all the essentials of
banquet are supplied. The guests set the
table, do the waiting, and have very lively
time, everybody being bound to contribute
something toward the success of the entertain
ment.- From DemoreSt's MonthLy for Feb
ruary.
WORDS FITLT SPoKEN.-A correspondent
writing to US on business matters, pens the
following paragraph, which we take the liberty
of transferring to our columns:
1.-THE scarcity of money, and the hard times,
has caused many of our people to begin to
ecouomize, aud to reduce expenses, but my
owu opinion is that they begin at the wrong
end, for instead of cutting off the printer
they ought to encourage him, stand by him;
for through the newspapers-and through
them aione-can they acquire correct nfor-
nation, and keep themselves posted on all the
leading events and topics of the day. And
God knows, if ever men stood in need of in
formation. as regards the financial and political
condition of this country, now is the time,
when corruption and thieving, is the order OF
the day, and the highest places in the land
filed by men that, in good old times, would
have dsgraced decent penitentiary But
men differ, and some think it economy, not to
have newspaper in the house."
TTON-The regular annual meeting Of the
General Board of Directors of the Masonic
Mutual Benefit Association was held in the
Masonic Hall, in Harrisonburg, Va, on
Thursday week, when the following officers
were elected for the ensuing year: ThoS. n
Ashby, Of Front Royal, President; c. NJ
Beltzhoover, of Shepherdstown, v p. Di-
rectors: j, T. Lovell,s NJ. B. Buck, VIM
Lehew, Richard Parker, y. l.. Chambers, \.
A. Bggs, S. J. c. Moore, G. W. Adams,
Hugh Logan, J. p. Il. EntIer, G. f. Comp.
ton, J. Gassman, j. l.. Avis, G. NJ. Belts
hoover. Local Directors j. t Weshans,
J. S Fleming, II. G. Entler, David Cockrill.
w. T. Alexander, A. NJ. Evans, T. c. Burk
ha,t. The next annual meeting will be held
in Stanton, ON the second Thursday in Jan>
uary. 1875.
4 Coon PEuspECT-The Baltimore (;
Ohio and valley Railroad Companies have de
cided, under certain contingencies, to establish
their machine shops in EIarrsonburg. this.
with the c"mnie'ion ofthe Narrow Gauge rail,
read to the Ohio ricer, will make Harrisburg
formidable rival to Stanntnn.s.
[Lynchb~ry R"p"6hron.
The above suggests the inquiry, what has
become o! the promised visit of i. 4 o. Il.
Il. authorities to CharIe>town?
BANK 0FFlCENs. The regular annual