The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-04-13

,..uies Hall by the LADIES oil the iaLlAnasSCe
80 society This popular social event had
- lacked forward TO with much pleasure by
-, society lovers, and all who attended, the
- especially, had made ample preparation to
.nior participation in appropriate manner, and
~. seIcbtful success OF the reception quite sat
go ali expectations and amply repaid the
-..,ors Of the many specially prepared costumes
present
The handsome hall was well arranged for the
fair From the stage front an extra platform ex-
,.0dad out into the hail. and this and the stage
10Th we're carpe,ed and arranged with number
az tables temptingly set With china and flowers ;
nd here all the evening a number of fair maids
.orvad ice cream cake and awberries TO the
.,,ests Here also was The usual Jacobs we'll
me i always found quite well at such socials,)
and from its depths was drawn cooling, delicious
lemonade This was presided over by Miss
Annie Papv in q semi oriental costume and head
dress quite becoming TO her style of beauty.
In front of this on the main floor was arranged
srsiling on either side enclosing quite liberal
suaoe in the centre of the hall Close 10 the plat
,orn a carpet q brilliant rug was spread, and a
thereon. all this for the special of the hero of
The evening Gen George Washington, and his
spouse. Martha. Al The right stood small table
aisnlsving massive set of silver table ware in
,lden stvle, also pretty set of china tea service
and here was served fragrant bohea with cake
snd crispy rolls The tea was excellent, but sew
era we're heard protesting of its salty flavor i'm
pregnsied when il was cast overheard in Boston
barl,or and again ished out by those cute Yankees
10 turn an honest penny untaxed.
Al one side of the hall was large sales table
arranged with fine display of all styles of use
fu and ornamental wares, mostly the work of
the ladies OF the society, and offered for sale at
tempting prices 10y Mrs. Benjamin Chaires in
charge. In enc corner also was spread large
lunch table laden with good things in charge of
Ms J. B. Hall The hall and stage were taste
flv trimmed with flags, flowers and bunting.
Al an early hour the guests began assembling
and soon the Governors Guards marched in the
hall commanded by Captain Moseley, with Lieu
tenants Damon and Rawls, and were promptly
deployed in two lines from the entrance to the
reception railing. The Guards are a fine appear
n body of citizen soldiers, and presented very
attractive appearance in their unusually neat
Uniforms
Shortly past nine 0 clock the near approach of
tie bonored guests was announced causing all
all 10 eagerly press forward. Soon the
outer doors were flung open, the Guards
presented arms and General and Mrs Washing
Ton. il slow and stately form entered preceded
~ The following retinue Of ladies and gentlemen,
namely Chief Justice and Mrs. Randall Asso-
ciate Judge Nalkenburgh escSrtihg Mrs. J
L Gamble, State treasurer Gwvnn and wife,
Commissioner Hugh A Corley and Captain
DYKE Or 4 B. Haw kins and George NJ Bar
bur. ". r. Wilson. escortng Mis-. f. w Gam
sic. Colonel r. II. Gamble escorting Miss Jones,
lien came General George Washington and his
xife Martha. followed by Mr. John B. Bailey in
costume. escorting Miss Mona Long, these rep
resenting the Gusts children. Passing between
The opened ranks of the Guards, the leading
couples arranged themselves to the right and
Jeff and the distinguished couple took their po-
stion the rug and the reception was
began by Chief Justice and Mrs. Randall passing
N front and paying profound obeisance; this
was followed in turn by each couple of the suite
IN The order above named, then by the three Off
GERS Of the Guards who came forward and salu-
ted The military then closed ranks and marched
past the General and wife, and then commenced
the general reception of The assembled guests,
which ceremony lasted for quite time
Al The conclusion OF the reception occurred
one Of the most pleasing events of the evening
the presentation of Ratchet 10 the noble
Washington as an earnest OF the profound belief
entertained by all, OF his boyhood veracity, as
illustrated by the cherry tree tale, in which the
hslchet was such conspicuous factor. twas an
entirely iuProptu affair, really cotton up on the
spur OF the moment, and reflects agreeably on
The speakers. The presentation was made by
Attorney General George P. Raney, "a happy Sc
lection tor his powers of oratory are well known)
who stepped forward, and in an eloquent man.
ner referred 10 the great services rendered our
country 10y the General, his patriotic deeds in the
field and forum, his bravery, and more especially
lis honesty and the example he set TO all our
youths by the cherry tree and hatcher affair, say
ng, that haichet has been fortunately recovered
and Ne take pleasure in again restoring it to you,
that il may be preserved as an emblem of your
high sense Of truthfulness and lesson TO all"
Here lie handed to the Great George we'll pre-
served Ratchet OF the most useful kind -
The General was plainly taken by surprise.
and was visibly affected to again receive into his
hands that wonderful ha ichet, that so wildly re-
called 10 his memory that ch cry tree episode,
and how nicely he escaped the expected terrible
perennial whipping but he was equal to the occa-
sion. Grasplng the lucky little axe, he bestowed
upon il loving gaze, and in burst of eloquence
~Armly thanked the donor, and all the attentive
guests for this conclusive evidence of their love
and admiration. and expressed his regret that he
had not that Ratchet in his disastrous retreat
from Long Island, and when crossing the wintry
Delaware, 10 capture Trenton 1t was in all
very happy bit of the pleasant evening.
Soon the floors were cleared, the music was in
pace, The dancing programmes were distributed,
and the hall was filled with merry hearted dan
Gers. under the direction of Messrs w II. Hop
kins, l. p Holiday and W H. Shine, the atten-
I've noor managers. Feasting and dancing were
continued until shortly past midnight. General
Washington opened the ball in the Spanish dance,
with Martha, in stately style, and danced the
opening quadrille with Miss Kate Beard.
The costuming was noticeably good, and many
deserve special mention. The character Of Gen
efai Washington was persouated by the Hon.
slate Comptroller, Columbus Drew, who GER
aaIniy bears q very close personal resemblance to
washington, as familiar to Us by pictures, and