Litchfield enquirer., 1877-05-03
coRREspoNuEMcE.
HAMPTON INSTITUTE, VA,
 Anril 17fh 1Q77

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 < April 17th, 1877.
 MR. Boron Since last wrote we have had very rough spell of weather. It began with high wind and pelting rain-and lasted four or five days; what we call at home, regular 'sNortheaster." " The tide water reached a higher mark 1 than ever before. The two wharves ct the school were covered to considerable depth; and many families living on the lower streets of the town were obliged to leave their houses and seek refuge else where. One old man living at Mill Creek, suburb of Hampton. had to wade through water three feet deep in order te get out of his house to a place of safety. Another man told me that he had lived there sixty.five. years, and had never known the water to reach his gate; but 1 during this storm, the tide was two and a. half feet deep iD-h;s yard, filling his eel lar and covering tue lower floor of his honse. The bridge over Hampton creek leading from Hampton to the Fort was covered to the depth of about two feet. The high wind and tide rendered navi- gation extremely dangerous; a schooner was stranded about twenty rods inland, near the Fort, lying on ground, when the water receded. about three feet above high water mark. Much irregularity in the arrival of the mails was occasioned by the storm, and fortwo @er thraau days-thsy did not come at all. Considerable damage was done to fruit tries which were all Tn blossom, and in many caees with the fruit already seE also to early peas. One patch all Tn blossom was completely uprooted by the wind. There was very sickly looking lot of umbrellas at the institute after the storm, and if one of those old fellows who pass through Litchfeld so often singing, "Umbrel-yas and par-ra-sols to mend!" should happen this way. we could give him job for couple of weeks at least
 PISTOL SHOT, s
 On Sunday evening, the 8th inst, while the seniors were in their sitting-room con- versing and singing, they were startled by the report of a pistol. John ". Free man, one of the number. erred out exs citedly, "I'm shot! I'm shot!" He was examining pistol preparatory to going on guard, when it was accidentally dis charged, the ball. passing between the center fingers of the left hand. at the middle joint, and entering the floor with in two inches of another young mans' feet. The hand was immediately dressed bya surgeon, and is doing we'll. Had the pistol been slightly raised it would have been a very serious affair.
 ''THE SENIOR SUPPER. ''e
 The most enjoyable event of the season was the Seniors supper, given by the young ladies of the senior class. on Sat- urday evening, April l4th. This supper is an instituted arrangement, for the sem iors. none of the other classes participa- ting. The class numbers 49. 31 boys and IS girls; one of the largest graduating classes. Invitations were sent the first of l the week. The young men were in the parlor punctually at 2. the hour ap- pointed. After a half hours conversa- tion, the company formed into line. the band struck up a lively air, and they marched to the Dining Hall. They walk ed around the table which was beautiful | ly decorated with boquets and calla-lillies with two large flags festooned overhead. and two smaller ones decorating the | chandelier; then they took their places at the table, standing while grace was said by the Principal. After they were seat ed, the corps of teachers and visitors ! paraded around the table. and the com pany turned their attention to the little | cards on each plate. On these cards was printed verse or couplst rhyming with l the persons name who occupied the seat. | They were contributed by the "Pome. granate Club" teachers, for the occasion. To give you some idea of what they were, I will copy the one received by Miss Do. ra Brockette, one of the Hampton Sing CTS.
 "Its as hard to make < rhyme with Brockette
 As to keep my money in my pocket;
 So I'll only tell of our Dora
 Who sings in such bewitching way,
 She turns darkness into day,
 And lifts mf. .fd from earth away"
 These notices were mirth creating and l put the whole party in the best of spirits. l Could you have seen them as a whole, they would have reminded you forcibly of ''Toil, soil, broil, of Cornwall fame. Next came on the supper. served in threc courses: first, meat. oysters, coffee, &c.; second. cake, candy, oranges. &c.; third, ice-cream. Short speeches were then made by some of the leading seniors, con- graduating the young aadies on their great success, and speaking of the battle | of life in which they must all soon en- gage. Some of the speeches were origi- nal and witty in the extreme but the 1 sentiment of most of them was that they were filled with ioy-with which I could hardly concur, for I felt filled with some. thing decidedly moie substantial than joy. | After the speeches were concluded the | company repaired to the parlor where the remainder of the evening was pleas 'antiy passed in playing games, singing, and conversation. The young ladies of the senior class of '77 certainly did them selves great credit, for the whole of the entertainment was arranged and conduct. ed with the ntmost taste and lady-like discretion. It Hill always be one of tue pleasanteet recollections of my winter in Hampton.
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