The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-08-30
The New Hope Lawn Party-A Splendid
Affair.


The New Hope Lawn Party-A Splendii
Affair.
Editors Valley Virginian.
New Hope gave her second Lawn Party
last Friday evening. 1t was success un
PARALLEL in her annals. The occasion wai
announced for Thursday, but the inclemen
cy Of the weather made it imperative that
the matter be postponed. By s o'clock, Mr.
David Boards lawn was all astir; the ave
nue. was ablaze with soft, love light, radi-
ated by the lanterns. There were silvan re-
cesses where boys and girls billed and cooed
s:eyes looked love to eyes which spake
again, and all went merry as marriage
bell"
The Stonewall Brigade Band was present
and
1.-THE music was
OF divine stature-Strong to pass Z!
And those who heard it understood
Something Of life in spirit and blood
Something OF Natures fair and good"
and, as the Elysian notes were borne upon
the bosom Of the night, meath majestic
oak, at the eastern extremity of the grounds,
heard love-sick twain colloquise some
what thusly: Arabella. ''Are that not
sweet, Samuel?'' Samuel. SIT were. Oh,
my love, i'll but had some grand, patent
combination Of ahorn"-Arabella interrupt
ing) s'you has" Samuel. mo, no; Il mean
something wherein all the honcyed notes
might be melted at once. With it I'd HE
me 10 some Utopia !; some verllant spot
with crystal books, sweet zephyrs and cter-
nal umbrage; there I'd rest upon some
rustic seat, and spend happy life blow
ing''-at this junctlre. Samuel. overwEelm.
ed with emotions, buried his nose in BAN
danna-ssyes, blowing,' continued a prosaic
ruff1an ''blowing your brains out, gently
there.''
All the pavilions were constructed with
that exquisite taste for which ourlades are
proverbial, but especial mention must be
made touching one or two. The flower
booth was octagonal, wrought in evergreens,
enamellcd with roses; a splendid pyramid,
rejecting the parti-colors of buds, exotic
and Indigenous, embellished its centre.
Twas bower on which Eros might bend a
rainbow. Misses Nina Stout, Lucie Roberts
and Emma Bondurant were the queens of
love and beauty there. Miss Laura Raynes
deserves great praise for the consummat tie
skill with which she arranged the fruit stand:
luscious grapes and blushing peaches were
exhibited in profusion. The Misses Gentry
and Miss Raynes were the vendors.
Immediately in front Of Mr.. Boards gal
lery, Miss Rebeca Scott presided in charm
ing retreat built with network of festoons,
and this was the cake depot. Here Edgar
F. Eakle won the gold ring. r.
Misses Roberts, Scott, Fretwell. River
comb, Rhinehart, Moore and Beard, all
beautiful as the pinks that come and go up-
on their cheeks. sold creams, cakes, candies
&c.
The supper table, under the supervision
of Mesdames Afford, Gentry, Beard and
Rhinehart, was laden with sumptuous re-
past. l have never seen so bountiful col
lation served upon an occasion akin to this.
Epicurus, himself, would have swelled with
with gratitude
Miss Bette X. Eakle received merlted
compliment-the cake to the prettiest young
lady. Miss Eakle, as a beauty and in her
varied accomplishments, is the peer of any
woman.
Mr.. Thomas P. Crawford made the pre-
sentation speech in a chaste, classic man
ner, and was, by the way, the handsomest
man present.
The vainest gentleman was looked for in
vain.
VANITY FAIR.