Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-09-14
A NOY,S Tournament.

lt was my g0ou fortune 10 WlCOeas as p[eLty
sight On Monday, the 10Th ius'., as usually
falls to the lot Of a traveller to see. Passing
through that picturesque portion of Upper Eau
qaier lying along the base Ct The Big and
Little Cotler Mountains. came suddenly 10
sight Ct gaiIy dressed crowd 10 the field be-
low me- Wishing to witness the luo, but not
inlrudc, drew near. conoealing myself from
view by mcaus Of dence belt OF pines. Au
elderly negro, whose duty seemed to detaiD
him upon the field, 10 answer to my question,
Informed me that Boys Tournament" was
10 progress, adding, land powerful fine riding
is agoing to be done too And in truth better
riding | never saw at the many tournaments l
have attended in the course of my iorty.hv
years. Eight Knights, in costumes. red and
white, blue and white, green and gold, crimson
and god. and various Others charged over the
level ground, sitting We'll 10 their saddles, hold
ing lances steady iD hand, one and all looking
aud riding the Knight. But their names, uncle,
their names exclaimed. "Oh, massa, .dey
is mostly Marshalls, esscept where an Amber
or Two is put 10" was the reply Just then q
little son OF Mr.. j. A. Marshall, CT Markham.
dashed by, dressed 10 red and white. on beau
tiluI little dapple gray, which he rode we'll, but
not TO him was TO lie the honor of the day, as
at first thought; thus was reserved for a little
SOP Of Mrs. Marshall, of Mont Blanc. This
little fellow, sitting we'll to his horse, cool of
head. steady Of eye, though his hat fell off and
left bin bare headed, rode on aud took the ring
four times out Of five Mr. Keith Marshall's
sor, = handsome Knight 10 crimson aud white,
we'll made and graceful, crowbed the First Maid
Of Honor. Next came dashing fellow 10
Turkish costume, another son Of Mrs. Marshall,
Of Mont Blanc he crowned the Second Maid
OF Honor, butt 10 my humble opinion, this
Knight was the best rider on the field, riding
well made, dark brown horse. spirited, fast 10
his movement, and evidently impatient IN tenn
per, few men could havc sat him better, or
kept him better TO the course. took partlcu-
lar interest 10 this knight, as from his name.
James Edward Marshall, l doubted not his
being son of on old friend Of my OVID, one
with whom | have bivouackel many a night,
when in "Ashby's Cavalry" we followed "Old
Stonewal' up and down "the Valley" The
Third Maid Of Honor was crowned by SOD Of
Mr.. VIM. g. Marshall, a little fellow in blue
and white, which became him we'll he rode
we'll, but his horse, though fine one, did not
do Justice to his rider. Time and space both
fail me TO mention the other knights by name,
though did not fail 10 note and admire each
severally; nor was close enough to see the
ladies who we're crowned, but doubt not knights
Who showed such taste 10 their dress and equip.
ments would be no less choice in the selection
OF those on whom TO bestow their wewon
hono1s. must not neglect to mention fact
which gave me pleasure, viz that one OF the
two marshals Of the field was, [ may say,
fellow townsnau Of mine, young Mr. Tom Nor
ton, of Alexandria, and right we'll did he seem
to perform his part. Riding along under the
bill. saw this happy party safely dlsmounted
at Mont BIauc, tho residence of Mrs. NJ. NJ.
Marshall, where, my darkie friend Informed me,
preparations had been made for their reception.
| could we'll Imagine the pride with which the
mothers there assembled would welcome their
galIaut sons and the fair ladies of their choice
AS turned off through the fields ct the stile
of the house. cheers and Joyous shouts of laugh
ter rung out upon the breeze, waking memories
of long ago, of ''the happy days when we we're
young" 1t was with real pleasure, as slowly
picked my way around the mountains, that |
dwet upon the promise Of manhood had just
left behind me. A glorious country. with its
health giving breezas, its vcrdant hills and sun.
ny Slopes is this mountain region Of the "O!d
Dominion" Always famed for its gallant sons
aud fair daughters, I had this day seen evidence
that the on coming generation promises we'll to
sustain the reputation of the past.
A PAssER By.