Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-09-23
/ Ig&T.F3. GiIIlIBl. llIl1lS
barlsstown, Jefferson Co., W. Va
Oeylcr IN "JvFFEnsoN BUILDING. "
Saturday, September 20, 1879.
Letter from Washington.
WAsu1NGrox. Sept. I. 1s1l


Eprros FREE PREss: It is not often that
trouble the press with any of my brilliant WI
.irgs. In fact, If truth must be told, this Is
nv debut 10 such occupation. As a natural
consequence. the immortal Dickens never
watched the appearance in print OF his . trS'
thoughts with great, suspense than Will the
writer hereof for thetype-ifiel emsnalions from
her very silly mind There Just ike me
have betrayed ny sex. Ben ! Nimporte
The object of this intrusion is to mention sn
entertainment at which | was privileged
guest. Nov only be little patient, dear Mr.
Editor, with girls roundabout way OF telling
things and may toe. after am through deli
cious morsel Of gossip for the Charlestown boys
aud girls ESPECIALLY the girlsl will be yours to
print
About two weeks ago, private parlor en-
;ettainmeut WAS given by the young ladies' ol
an Eas, End fpily-residius IN beautiful
row of tcrraced houses almost under the shadow
Of the great dome Tie occasion was strictly
private ia it's character, and the audience was
small aud select HIN 'ml ! was there J
Subsequently, however, 1t came to my know !
eige that the affair was. in reality, a" benefit
oue-to aid some Impoverished ladies'. The
evenings programme consisted OF recltaiIons
and musical reuditiuns. TIE order Of these
parts are here reversed: the musical portion
was p,imus 4 late conner 10 the city myself
aud ouy pr,scui hy compliment, knew nut
Que or two of the pcriprmers-u0ue oil the Ia
dies; but an introduction, prior to that day
had sivcn mc the privileged possession c. his
acquaintance. Who? Do you say? Why
.. lot
handsome " jean Sluds" After an luterludc,
tue reci;atve portion Of the exercises were com
meuced. aud herein Mr. Ricrjan bore con-
,pcuuus part. His selections were ot the tras-
;c order. ali cf them. al'd we're rendered grand
N: as the prolonged. though subduei applause
At the close Of each. well attestcd. The sever
Al pieces spoken by the gentleman were as
near as my memory serves me, Rchlleu to
the King" MacDeths SoiiIoquy," Caial-
ljre's Defiance and selections from Cardinal
Wosey iu Henry YliU. va the gentleman
ever forgive me ID let ont the additional Sc
cret-a secret sayoring Of such romantic ira
granceg that he WAS the only recipient. A.
mong an array Of three young men, oi hnral
tribute, in the shape Of an exquisite booquet ol
choice howers-from, presume, an absent 10,
dy gduircr, rs no one present ""' "e'i ''' "''''
at the time the flowers reached the impromPtu
stage.
And now, Mr.. Editor, have said my say. "
Does no. its grateful tenor reward you for your
patience aud know well that the Charles
town girls will be glad to hear Of the affair
Let NE not be ceusurrd for thus publicly mem
tiouing what was undoubtedly private occa-
sion. | received permission to do so from the
lady Of the house wherein it was given, and
whose attentive courtesy and kind manner be-
trayed her Virgiuian origin-on condition /
should wait awhile aud not give her name.-
Perhaps. too, this hasty sketch will serve to
suggest to bis friends in your city the proprie-
ty. nay, the policy Of urging the young I5ur-
nalist-orator 20 assist in any exhibition they
msy have in view, Of ike character.
MIGNoNErTE."