The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-07-31
july 81, 1879.
miscellaneous.
GLEN ALPINE SPRINGS, July 22d.

ULEN ALPINE SPRINGS, July I'D.
MEssRs. EDIToRs:-The last tang of the
violins has sounded, the last deep thrum of
Prof. Taylor's double bass fiddle has ceased
70 throb and beat on the ear. The twinkling
feet are at rest-tired eyes are sleeping
under tired eye-lids, glowing cheeks at rest
On peaceful pillows. The one lamp left burn
ing throws a long quivering stream of light
over the CLASSY floor making the corners
darker and more spectral by contrast. The
Ghost of revelry once more walks the silent
hollis Here lies the stick of a fan-who
knows and what soft sighs it may have ava
Loned in its day-there a bit of ribbon-and
oh what poetry in that little crushed Grim
MED glove! Whose bounding pulses did it
cover and protect? Why was it hastily torn
off and thrown down under the benches.
All Who knows? Over there are shreds
of tarletan and muslin, eloquent souvenirs of
. sweet woman'S sweet temper. One, who
SmiIes and tests with delicious courtesy,
and tearing through her very latest ~prettiest
Torgery-surely that is one of the sublimest
triumphs of civilization.
Yes. the ball at Glen Alpine has been a
pronounced success. Bellies and beaux from all
parts of the State We're present and the fes-
t~iyities prolonged almost until the dappled
door had opened the gates of the East.
know your paper is not strictly speaking
a society paper, being devoted to more seri-
Gus and substantial interests, but now the
crops are pretty well laid by and your read
ers can afford to hear of what we do at the
Springs. :,
brilliant women who graced the occasion
wildly before my minds eye comes the
vision of a blonde from HillsborO-stately and
pure as a lily, whose amber colored dress
harmonized exquisitely with her peculiar
STYLE. intensifying each characteristic charm.
A petite brunette from Raleigh dressed in a
lovely pink silk with long train, and square
cut bodice, and worn with powdered hair,
looked as if she had just stepped out of a
picture frame in some rare old art gallery.
Charlotte was nobly represented by some
of her most distinguished men and some of
her l~oveliest daughters. One [ especially
remember-a hionde-fair, and pure, and
delicate-with her clear blue eyes suffused
with the soft dreamy light of happiness and
youth-hair that catches and tangles up the
sunshine in it's silken meshes-a cheek like
a tinted sea shell, and a mouth that, as
Rory OMoore said of Kathleen OBawn,
looks like Strawberries smothered IN
cream.
Then another, | distinctly recollect. in a
roSe-colored and garnet velvet, who not only
entered with all the enthusiasm OF her en-
thusiastic nature into the enjoyment of the
dance, but from whose soul-lit eyes came the
deepened, softened light of thought, and
upon whose lips, as from the girl in the old
fairy tale, diamonds and pearls fell contln-
ually.
But of all the ladies who receive the hom-
age and courteous attention of the gentlemen
at the springs, there is one, a lady of seven
ty years lit is said) who is >wIthout a rival.
The softest white hair, white without the
aid of powder or blondine, surrounds a face
radiant with a sunset beauty, and full OF the
light of pence "of hUD9Gn rlltues, tie latest
and tie best" Every lady here wishes to be
ike her when seventy years have been mum
bered for her-and every gentleman feels 1t
Al honor if his is the arm that supports her
steps along the broad high stairs. This
peerless old lady is from Morganton, which
town, always renowned for its beauties, has
furnished more pretty girls for the ball than
any other place, except Charlotte. 1t is a
pity to begin to indulge in personal descrip-
tons, for it is impossible in the compass OF
a letter, in the space | dare take from the
farm, the field, the household, &c, to say
more than a word about the most distin-
guished bellies of the ball and the Springs.
Statesville sent a gay party styling them
selves the merry twelve out for fun.
Salisbury, Lemon, Hickory, Greensboro,
Wilmington, Columbia, S. C., Thomasville,
Ga., and a host of other places had their
representatives present.
So much have | written, and yet not told
you one half | might. There are unwritten
histories of each day and in each life that
would fill a volume.
spare you till another time. Yours,
Very truly, NENI NIDL