Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-10-17
the "--etc.. etc.

l.--requests the etc, etc.
You all know the different degrees of pleas
IRE telt on The receipt of formula such as the
above-cegrees ranging ia accordance with
the especial Col OF Madam whose COM
piiments are thus presentei-but venture TO
say you have not experienced the most delight
tu! sensations OF expectation unless you
have been 10 Virginia and have had one Of
tu0sc neat messages containing a request for
your company" with the " compliments OF
this particular Colonel. speak from expe-
rence. 1hls gentleman IS a veriiable old
bachelor OF ample means, and be lives some
tour miles from this town of Charles Our in
vitat.on was Tor eight p NJ. but some delay
arising % was s before we were fairly enroute
The night was dark, and a certain person iel;
some qualms OF fear, when size heard that
portion OF the way lay through wood C1uly
600 account of an aversion she has TO driving
over siumpsl; but these an vanished as the
dreaded woods appeared, f,r there euchant-
meut began. japanese lanterns, Of lovely
firm and colurs, were suspended from the
trees, lighting the path about us, aud beyond
twiuNIug like stars among the trees marking
thc wiudiugs of the road. These subdued
lights enhanced the darkness on either side
causing shadows to loom across our way, Civ
iug every thing a wierd look. As We APP
pr'1chc turn in the roai the lights ahead
would be apparently SO grouped as TO enclose
a space; bct we advanced only TO see these
ma-.c lights still In the distance, arranging
themselves. Ike verllable Wiu-o-the-
Wisp. As We ueared the house the lamps
grew larger, aud through open windows aud
Goors ,treamed brighter light. As If o. aid our
ho,'-whn met us no the heal % the steps-in
welcoming us to Ciaymont."
The dressing-rnom seemed one ripple OF
c'lurS. as the ladies futtered % aud fyo before
the misror, giving themselves those last little
finishing touches before they i.ned the geu-
t.emea nc che foot ol the stairs and pissed into
the parors % greet the hu>te,ses-two charm
F jac young ladies In whose houor jhe party
WAS -iyen The ilirer OF the two claims kiu-
ship with Our Cuu;ryS Father and
ils famed brightness and grace ot the Wash
:u-tou> fnd ga her fitting representative.
After greetings were exchanged, cards and
pencils were soon busy noting engagements
/ i1' the coming Ounces. Tie musicians took
/ tleir Seats aud light feet. nothing lo;h were
Sr.u brsy fulfilling these engagements. One
custom new o. ps, WAS tne securing, by the
gentleman. of % vis-s-v'S who would Doc ag-ce-
able o. U,S partner. custom which has
uu-h t1 commend 70. aud ensures a pleasant
ST. Square dances are most popular as
the ladies never favor the gentlemen with
sound darces Uuics, they chance tu be a Cous-
Co. or near ,,lal.ve. and as it naturally happens
tIat these arc more attentive % some other
budys sister or cousin the round dances are
uot well pairoui1ed You khov the proverh-
it' Savios that there's time for everything,
having bad tine 60 dance, there NOW drew
near time to appreciate the hnuutilnl proviS-
i.n lur orr ycGesumeut in tire dining room.
81 tie tables did not literally geoan beneath
Iie weight uf dcicacieS. ! am sure 10 must only
lave tccu because they have q. c1me SD accuS-
toned o. their owuers lavish hospitality that
they tagc LEANED 90 endure with PATIENCE
aege WAS every thing 90 tempt one, trom meats
pf Various kinds down through uumberie>S
odlu-e> of caae, aces, fruits and choice wines.
ALSO aes-l some whispered references 10
lennon ,adly among the gentlemen.
Dancing was resumed ai;t- supper, but rs
tie sma.i h1u-> were coming and gong very
sst. aul there was tlc long drive home one
,rl ar.thcr sljl " Gaod might, which ID "a mt
t,s wfimo'y at that hour WAS nevertheless
caleusei expression q tie pleasure we bad
experienced
The outlines Of this party no doubt seem
,semaav vou have ,eeu but 10 really differed
r.m many. from this fact; IL bad a soul.
Nt3tt was. bow F., vls or where It was
cannot t.' SD { ,..uuIy ~tlf- ttt fact. some
saw TO-, l,cau-c " t.t. u,aut Is vruaNe
blcar.s's ht,i. ban tntt Is au iucH,c; Hbe!
upru t.r ladies'.
AsIur,e. note is brought me. open