Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-07-20
Croanet ExtraordLnarY.

at Dunbar's Cave on Thursday, al
though not much used of late to
such junketings. As our readers
have been already informed, the
occasion was a match game Of GRO
quet, the principal competitors be-
ing Mr.. John F. Couts, of this place,
and Miss Lula Daily, of Bethlehem.
The original arrangement was that
each of the two champions should
select two auXiliaries, so as to make
it three on a side, but upon further
consideration it was concluded that
that would make the game too long,
and agreed that one ally only on
each side should be called in, and,
with the same view, the match was
arranged to depend upon the best
out of three games, instead of
five, as originally contemplated.
Mr.. Couts selected as his ally his
daughter, Miss Jessie Couts. These
were on the ground at an early hour
in the morning, and a little before
nine Miss Daily arrived with her
confederate, Mr.. Ed. Bourne. The
result showed that she made most
sagacious choice. Mr.. Bourne has
a considerable local reputation as a
crOquet player, and we must say
that his playing convinced us of
what we never before believed, that
crOquet is game capable of devel-
Oping both science and manual
skill. But this is anticipating.
Playing began at half-past nine,
Mrs. COuts and the Rev. DIR. Han
ner being appointed referees.
The first game was won by Miss
Daily and her confederate, leaving
our town friends far behind. Until
the result was brought about, we
hardly think our city friends real
lied the strength of play which
there was against them. They were
now on their mettle and with adj
mirable play on both sides) the sec
Ond game was scored to them. This
left things even, and, it being din
ner time, the third and deciding
game was appointed to follow that
important transaction.
TO use an expression of the Louis
lana politicians, we were "taken
care Of" and may we never be |
worse off in regard to creature COM
forts than we were under the hos
pitable entertainment of Mrs. COuts |
and Mrs. Acree. There were many |
other sylvan tables spread, and no
one was sent away hungry. After a
short interval the "sugar game"
commenced. Every combatant ev-
identity put forth his utmost; Mr..
COuts grave and calculating Miss
Daily manifesting the grace and
self-pOssession which can only arise
from practised skill Mr.. Bourne, a
perfect master of the game, and
Miss Jessie eager and active with
the enthusiasm of youth. 1t may
be set down for certain that no bet
ter crOquet has ever been played in
this county. Victory ultimately
perched on the standard of the
country players, to whom Mr..
Couts and his daughter very grace
fully and cheerfully accorded the
honor. The ceremony closed with
the presentation of beautiful bOu-
quet to the victorious lady by Miss
Whitfield, who did this editor the
honor of selecting him as her spokes-
man.
A little desuItOry crOquet now
followed, and, shortly afterwards,
the dance occupied the young peO-
pie. One circumstance connected
with this dance is worth recording.
There was no music on the ground
except such as could be made by a
noted negro whistler. At first we
that this would be a mere
but NUn''o 'aaUvIi LIistdkeh'
For three whole sets the whistler
as efficient dance music
as anyone could desire. 1t was the
most astonishing whistling we ever
heard. The whole entertainment
was delightful; the mouth of the
cave was refreshingly cool, while
everything around was suggestive
of sun-stroke; the company agree
able, and, in short, we feel invigOr-
ated for another struggle with the
heated spell. We hardly hope our
political friends, the candidates, will
give us as much fun or as pleasant
a temperature to-day (Friday) at
st. Bethlehem.