Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-09-04

The MILITARY AT STRIBLING SPR1NGS.-1ho
detachments of the West Augusta Guard anu
Staunton Artillery, which went into encamp-
ment at Stribling Springs on last Wednesday
evening returned on Sunday evening last, hlgn-
ly delighted with the good time they had ENJOY
ed. Their tents, pitched in an open held near
the Springs, were admirably located and pre-
scented a beautiful sight, when in the early
morning, they were lighted up by the rays OF
the sun breaking through the morning mlsts.
The discipline maintained during their stay
though not stric. twas sufficient to preserve
good order and cheerful obedience was always
yielded to the command of the officers. 1T IS
gratifying to know that there was not anr1n-
stance of disorderly conduct during their stay
at the Springs, which speaks well for ctncers
and men. essi
The usual routine Of camp life was varied in
the mornings and evenings by guard mount
ing and dress parade and at night dance at
the hotel afforded enjoyment to the devotees of
Terpsichore.
By twelve o'clock ON Sunday morning the
tents were struck and baggage packed. ready
for tho return home at 8 o'clock, which was
made on foot, in wagons, buggies. omnibuses
| and carriages.
On Thursday night the Stonewall Band ar
rived and during their stay added by their ex-
cellent music much to the enjoyment of the oc-
casion.
On Friday night came Off
THE MILITARY BALL. $685.. ..-s4
The ballroom at O'Clock was the cynosure
of interest. Already the dulcet strains Of the
waltz were floating out from the windows, and
eager couples were hurrying across the sward
to mingle in the glorious pastime.
HID sa 1,v, md
beauty The elegant costumes of the ladies in
terspersed with the gaudy trappings OF the
nailitares, the rich red facings of the Artillery
| and the white epaulettes of the Guard, all min
gled in one bewildering and graceful maze Of
| poetic motion, made the spectacle one sugges-
| tive of the ideal glories of Elfand.
| AS the crowds of eager pleasure-seekers crowd
| ed the parlors and corridors of the hotel, and
were anxious to participate in the dance, the
floor of the ballroom was kept free from the
| excess of wall foliage, and they stood consid-
erately on the porch and gazed through the
windows while those whose altitude permitted
| remained on the outskirts of the front rank.
| Conspicuous among the ladies in the round
| dances were Miss LIE L@r, charming
| blonde of Richmond, whose piquant and How
| ing w.t. and brilliant conversational gifts, are
only approached by her superb waltzing.-
| Miss Ne LII, petite brunette, whose
| terpsichorean talent was fully demonstrated,
| was also charming. Possessed of quick obser-
Walton and brilliant fuency, she was the terror
| Of every slow beau at the Springs. Her satire
was at times "biting." Much observed and
| vastly popular by reason of her cordial grace OF
| manner and lovely disposition, as well as for
physical charms and the accomplishment OF
superior dancing, was Miss A-e LII, also
| of Richmond. 49,
Staunton was, as usual, represented by some
| of her best dancers, among whom we noticed
Miss s. H, a lovely dancer, and the sweet
| and pensive melancholy of whose face evok ed
| the comment from an admiring bystander that
she looked Madonna-like. Her sister, Miss A
H, beautiful blonde, and an exquisite
dancer, presented smiling and charming con-
trast to her more grave and sedate sister. Miss
Blk was much admired and dances well
| Miss M l., a sweet debutante, looked
lovely, and though she did not dance the round
| dances, was always the center of throng OF
| admirers.
The gentlemen visitors who have writ their
| names high upon the roll of the round dancers
are too well known to require mention. There
are no two military organizations anywhere
on the earth's periphery which can summon
from their ranks a creator number of young
men at arms more accomplished in the pas de
deur, and more willing to employ their arms,
than the Guard and Artillery. Their soldierly
and marshal bearing on the field has most
becoming analogue in their gentlemanly and
chivalrous demeanor in the ballroom, and
both visitors and citizens resident in that Sec
ton are enthusiastic and eloquent over the
merits of our local military. The intoxicating
dance was kept up until the gray Light of dawn
began to creep over the eastern wall of the
mountains, and the desultory crash of the ar
tillery swept down from the camp and beat ter
rifle time for the dancers, while it summoned
the return of those who still hung wistfully in
H. ,fl