The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-06
Military Ball at Striking.

Military Ball at Strlbling.
There was happy throng assembled at
Stribllpg Springs on Friday night, to attend
the Ball given under the auspices of the
West Augusta Guard and Stanton Artil-
lery, and though the number was not as
great, perhaps, as had been anticipated, the
pleasure was unlimited and in all the essen
tials of genuine enjoyment, the affair was a
crowning success.
Both of the Companies had been encamped
on the ground since the preceding Wednes-
day, and in addition to their members and
the visitors of the place, number of Staun-
ton ladies and gentlemen were present to
participate in the festivities Of the occasion.
At night. the beautiful lawn in front Of
the hotel and along the rows of cottages
was illuminated with colored lanterns,
whose soft, weird light relieved the glare OF
the bright refectors and sheened the dark,
green sward with tints Of every hue, whilst
through the leaves the modest stars looked
down and wondered. at the aurora.
The music of the Stonewall Band echoed
around the cliffs and walked responses that
had slept, no doubt, for years, cen since
the day when to the martial notes the tread
of soldiery kept time, and way vete-
rams pressed with weary feet the dust. In
terluding the music was heard the Joyous,
ringing laughter and presently came a
tramp, tramp, tramp, accompanied by a
din and discord that Plute's legions might
have caught and raised the dome Of Hades.
1t was the Mulligan Guards on dress parade,
and as they filed in limo before the porch,
they blew blast Of most unearthly hideous-
ness and hourished round their heads boughs
of oak with which each was provided. Bir-
nam wood had come to Dunsinane, and
could the doomed Macbeth have heard the
Glamour, we'll might he have said:
II gin to be weary of the SUM-
and implored the energetic Macduff to slay
on" with double vigor, for death would have
been robbed of its horrors and the quiet,
sunny side Of the grave afforded an enticing
and comfortable retreat from the confusion
which prevailed. After two or three speeches
and several salutes from cannon, the Null
ligan corps marched back to their quarters
and the dance commenced.
The large ballroom was filled to overflow
ing and seldom have the lamps shown down
on fairer throng. AS the dainty creatures
glided smoothly through the dance, and
formed each figure, to the locker on it
seemed brilliant kaleidoscope. The ladies
were arrayed in handsome and becoming
party style, whilst the citizen gents INDUCED
the conventional full dress'' and the SOL
diers appeared in uniform. Each face was
radiant with happiness; the flash of Jewels
paled in the light of merry eyes and the rip
ping laughter half drowned the flow Of the
symphonies. We might indulge in de-
scription Of the dress Of each of the fair ones,
and tell the color Of her eyes and hair; how
many rings she wore and what the number
Of her slippers; the list OF all her beaux and
various anecdotes of birth and ancestry, but
we have certain old fashion notions that
would not be gotten rid of, and which forbid
such enterprise.
At twelve O'Clock the merry makers adj
journed to the dining room where delightful
refreshments were served, after which the
dance was resumed and kept up until far
into the morning, and even then the devo-
tees were loath to leave the ball room.
After the ball, many, including the men,
bers of the Band, returned to Staunton that
morning, but many others remained until
noon. whilst not a few were unable to tear
themselves away until Sunday. Indeed the
only drawback to Stribling is the difficulty
one experiences in getting away. The warm
welcome, the genial companionship and the
bountiful and elegant hospitality, make him
cling to the place until the very last mo-
ment, aud it is only by promising himself
that he will return shortly that he is recon
caed to departure.