Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-12-06

joined in the weird mirth. A feel
J ing of awe not unmixed with gaiet,
held us spell-bound until ! crept vi
to Mr.. Rcsencranz, saying, Gle
me, oh let me get within the sacred
confines of the spot in which al
those dead and gone sighs, tears
VOWS land maybe kisses), were
given" )" for thinking that they be
ing SO famous, some of them might
have become embodied and nestled
away in the fretted roof and hollow
caves, and, hearing my earnest
words, fall upon me as mantle,
bringing remnant of their former
sweetness with them. Well, / did
stand in the exact spot, but don't,
now don't ask me to tell if spirit
VOWS or anything more real whis-
pered to my listening ears; for,
reader dear, the charm once told is
forever lost.
After viewing the lower floor our
friends proposed our adjournment
to the warmth and light of the con-
servatory, and thence to parlors.
In passing through the former a
lady plucked lemon blossom, white
and fragrant, and gave it to me as a
keepsake. On reaching the paclor
an old lady in the party suddenly
asked if we would all join in an old
fashioned dance, the minuet?" and
as we laughingly consented, taking
places hand in hand, she and our
host led to the top Of the set, the
music commenced, and down the
center and up the middle, smiling,
bowling, curving and promenading
in grand style, as stately and hand
some pair as could be found in the
land. Faster and faster grew the
music, quicker and quicker grew
their motions, until we could dis
tinguish nothing but flying feet and
the long sweep of black gowns. We
young folks looked on in amaze
ment, forgetting our parts, and
shrek after shrek of laughter went
up. The old lady laughed as long
and loud asany and jigged on then
waving her hand, cried, "Come on,
you young people, come on" and
catching the inspiration of the mo-
ment, the old gentleman rushed
over to me, led me to the top of the |
set, a mischievous young fellow
caught up the old lady and whirled |
her to bottom, the sides were
speedily filed with the others and a
fast and furious breakdown COM
menced. Imagine it! A midnight
dance in arOom nearly two hundred
years old; the shining floors, the
ancient furniture, books and pict-
ures, the weird music, dying away
in walls in the dim arches and stair
ways, and the broad, deep fire-light
shining over all. Twas glorious!
The festivities concluded with the
singing of "Auld Lang Syne," and
out in the night we went, away
from the light and life, but its MEM
ory undying in our hearts. The
clang of the old clock, tall as the
hall roof, peals upon our ears, strik-
ing "one," and by the sound of its
weird music we left the ancient
roof-tree.
Next day drive was taken that
l might view the beauties of the
village. The church where Burr
was married still stands in a state of
preservation. After seeing this we
drove over to Joe Jefferson's place.
The house is an original Dutch one,
which he bought and added to until
it is quite large and perfectly splen-
did. 1t has only one story, of very
irregular design, with gable root
and many diamond-paned win
dows with stone cappings. A little
French balcony runs entirely around
the house, with fancy raiIings. You
enter from the side into a wide,
deep hall. Along the sides of this
hall are broad shelves, filled to
overfowing with rare old china,
bronze and marble articles, some so
thin and delicately fashioned that
it seems a breath might shatter
them. The floor is of highly pol
ished wood, covered with many
Turkey rugs in brilliant colors. The ,
guest chamber is the handsomest
apartment he has. The walls are
hung from ceiling to floor with
Turkish towelling in strips of gray
and green, on which are embroid-
cred acOrns and leaves; the carpet
Of solid gray. In the wall at one ,
side of the room is set a Venetian
of ebony; across the top
runs delicate railing, and as it is
very low and wide, Jefferson has :
filed this top with curiosities in {
filagree glass and china from all |
parts of the world. In the front of J
the furniture is a plaque painted by J
hand in rosy colors, and all across t
the surface of this wardrobe are {
small ones at regular intervals
richly framed and colored. The :
bed is a hanging-basket of netted
gilt work, forming something like q
linked chains. The coverlet is of I
satin and pillows to match, with :
finest lace edges. The stand is a 4
unique thing, different from any !
hing else, having china on it worth t
4 little fortune, all odd pieces. JEFF )
'erson's pictures, statues and bronzes !
are very fine and OF immense value. j
The whole house is a perfect curios- I
ty shop. He has passion for col !
Getting rare and beautiful things, is
very flne-looking and really hospi- t
able in manner. The grounds are e
quite large and perfectly kept, !
Broad white walks and drives run .