Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-09-11
The Party at ..vvIld Goose.


the evening of the 26th ultimo at "Wild
Goose" was not only the handsomest
affair of the season, but one OF the most
brilliant entertainments which we ever
attended. "Wild Goose" the scene OF
the festivities, is situated about three
miles North of Shepherdstown, near the
banks of the Potomac, and is the beau
tiful summer residence of Henry Shep-
herd, Esq, where that gentleman and
his interesting family retire from their
winter home in New Orleans. The
substantial and tasteful buildings; the
beautifully terraced gardens and lawns,
the picturesque lake,the shaded avenues
and the unrivaled mountain scenery
conspire to render this one of the most
desirable and attractive places In the
Valley of Virginia
Mr.. Shepherd, who so admirably per-
formed the part of a generous host,
welcomed his guests upon this occasion
with an urbanity and cordiality that
surpassed even himself, while Mrs. 5.
with her usual grace and elegance
moved among the crowd in the spacious
saloons, carrying sunshine and gladness
to every heart. The party, we under
stand, was given to Master Rein Davis
Shepherd, a youth of some sixteen sum
mers, with genial manners and fine tai
ents, who is now preparing for Harvard
University, and whom we feel confident
will perpetuate the honor of bis fathers
name and the integrity of.his principles.
In the early part of the evening the
company was entertained by an @ronau-
tic display which, with the countless
number Of Chinese lanterns, rendered
the scene one of the most surprising
brilliancy that ever burst upon our as
tonished gaze. The music was furnished
by the "Shepherdstown Orchestra,
which, under the admirable leadership
of Prof. Suttmer, at intervals through
out the evening rendered with artistic
excellence the sweetest symphonies OF
Mendelsshon, Beethoven, Strauss anc
other classic composers. The quill falls
powerless from our nerveless grasp as
we attempt to describe the viands, and
we can Only say that the table literally
groaned beneath the overflowing pro-
fussion with which it was spread. As
we sat upon one Of the long galleries,
transported by the delicious fumes Of a
"Reigna Victoria Golden Eagle" we
gazed rapturously upon the Fairy scene
within. Our eyes were involuntarlly
arrested by the striking form OF the
hostess, Mrs. Shepherd, who appeared
to the finest advantage in a superb gray
silk, with cardinal trimmings Mrs.
Alice Fair, in rich, massive black silk
of the amplest cut, received with an ease
and grace of manner which, during
lifetime of observation, we have per-
ceived TO appertain tonone so genuinely
as TO the fair daughters and noble ma
irons of the Sunny South. Miss Laura
Lee, in pink silk, with French muslin
oyer-skirt, (sheared over0 trimmed with
pink rosebuds and "tie," constituted a
tout en- semble that was truly marvellous.
The tall, exceedingly graceful form and
fair complexion Of Miss Nellie Rey-
nolds, in white French muslin with
appropriate trimmings, assisted by Mr..
Loase of Hagerstown, "did the Boston
superbly Miss L. B, one OF the
reigning bellies of Richmond, created
most marked sensation in simple but
exquisitely fashioned percale Our at
tention was preeminently attracted by a
bevy Of admirers surroundings beauti-
ful little blonde in flowing white Swiss,
with a white silk basque elegantly
trimmed, whom, upon inquiry, we as
certained to be Miss Bette thurman OF
Loudoun county, Virginia. Columns
might be filed in describing Miss Annie
Harrison, Miss Laura Powell, Miss
Fanny Shepherd, Miss Fanny Lucas,
the Misses Butler and others who ap-
peareG in toilets equally tasteful, but
time and space absolutely forbid.
Among the distinguished guests OF
the sterner sex present, we were pleased
to observe our esteemed friend, the
Rev. Campbell Fair, OF the Ascension
Church, Baltimore, and the editor of
the Conservative ChWchman, who,
with his accomplished lady, isspending
his vacation at ''Wild Goose" and re-
cuperating his health after his protract-
ed and incessant labours in the Monu-
mental City. Major II. Kyd Douglass
and Mr.. Loase, represented very credit.
ably the bon ton of Hagerstown, the
latter gentleman being one of the most
exquisite dancers We have ever seen.
We were also introduced to the some
what EN- bon point figure of Mr.. Rob
ert Magruder, Lieutenant Frederic
Mussacus of the S9th Mecklenberg
Grenadiers, Mr. Frank w. Muzzey, of
the firm of Ashton, Walker & Co, j.
S. Bragonier, Dr. Manning, Messrs.
Allen Reynolds and Isaac Notter, stu
dents of Mercersburg College, and
others.
We certainly never saw the Lancers
rendered with greater precision and
excellence, while the dreamy Waltz,
merry Gallop and other round dances
tax too heavily our poor descriptive
powers Finally the Band poured
forth in richest strains the swest melody
of ''Home," and after many farewells
and mutual expressions of regret that
the evening had sped so rapidly away,
We reluctantly turned our steps toward
our respective places of above.
Another heavy business failure has
occurred. This time in the city ot'Bal-