The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-05-28

of this cent was scarcely worn off at ALL OF
affected by the touch of Time thereby show
ing that it had never been in general circula
ton.
Among other antiquities of interest that
may be noted was a memorandum found on
the back of one of the old chamber mantels
1t was legibly written with lead pencil, anC
read thus; Wages 2, 6, a day, Jno. NJ Lilly
carpentur, Aprul, 1888" These figures evi
IDENTIFY indicate shillings and pence, the cur
rency of that date And it would also appear
from the date of this entry, that the mantel
was not erected until some years after the
building of the house, ITO In those days
they did not enjoy the conveniences for build
| ing houses in brief time as at present, nor
perhaps, did they always have the cash in hant
for finishing up all of the inside work in &
single season, and for this reason, probably
the mantels were not all completed for sevcra
years after the house was built Upon the
back OF the same mantel was also written -
"A bottle of wine put someware in these
| walls" This last memorandum, Mr. King in
forms us, produced quite an exciting effect
upon some of his workmen and for time
the proprietor felt solicitous for the continued
| integrity of his ancient walls, which it had
| been his great care to preserve, so filled with
curiosity and excitement were the men to as.
certain the exact location of the wine
Whether the entry regarding the bottle OF
wine being placed "someware" in the walls
was true statement, or simply a groundless
delusion perpetrated by a fun-loving junior
apprentice for the purpose of exciting the
| curiosity and the thirst of some gullible and
| guzzling mortal, must now remain an unsolv-
ed mystery. The latter conjecture is doubt
| less the true one.
1t is quite certain however, that the writer,
| whether in earnest or in joke, has long since
passed from the scenes and from the state OF
mortality; not surviving to witness the dis
coycry of the pencilling, or enjoy the interest
awakened, nearly century after, in his in
definite and illiterate memorandum upon the
back of the mantel at Kenton!
The wine cellar at Kenton is very complete
in its ppontments-capable of large accom-
modations but, at the time of our visit, we
found it the only apartment connected with
the house that was wholly lacking of taste
it not having yet been furnished.
As mentioned previously, the architect,
through whose professional talent and good
Judgment these improvements at Kenton
have been accomplished, was Mr.. J. Crawford
Nelson, of priesthood, in this county. This
is his home, but the pursuit of his business
in the city of Baltimore. The chief builder
was Mr.. A. NJ. Carroll, of Baltimore, who
was ably assisted by Messrs. Joseph Gorrcll,
Banister and lIarryman, of Hartford county.
These co-laborers, we are informed, rendered
valuable assistance on the fine work of the
stairway, and on the bathroom.
After the restoration of Kenton, and the
additions thereto had been completed, some
of the lady friends of the popular proprietor
signaized and celebrated the auspicious event
in the form of very handsome "surprise"
entertainment, on a delightful November eve
ming, 1879; to which they invited quite a
number of his numerous lady and gentlemen
friends. The heads of families generally TAX
ing baskets of delicacies with them. The oc-
casion was such as would commonly be call
ed, in provincial language, a "house-warm-
ing" lacking the customary dancing. With
Characteristic gallantry, Mr.. King intrusted
the entire management Of the entertainment
to two of his highly accomplished and well
qualified young lady friends, viz: Miss Mag
gle Price, daughter of Judge Price, and Miss
Fannie Maris, daughter of Mr.. Samuel w.
Mars.
The meeting of friends at Kenton took
place in the evening, as stated. As we en-
tered the outside gait" several hundred wards
from the house, our sight was greeted with a
most beautiful illumination. Several lights
were placed in every window, opposite each
pane of glass; and the illusion produced by
their combined effect, upon our vision at the
distance, was that there were hundred win
dows in the house. 1t was truly beautiful
sight; and was remarked as such by all of
the numerous visitors who had the privilege
of witnessing it, Numbers of lanterns also
added to the general illumination from their
suspended positions in the porches, and in
the trees about the lawn. 1t was sight to
be remembered, and together with the other
associations of the evening, one to be recalled
with feelings of pleasure in days to come.
During the arrival of the crowd of visitors,
the two young ladies just named, who ere
ceiyed" for the evening, together with the
host, Mr. King, stood at the front door to ey-
tend hearty welcome, and pass pleasant
word with each visitor as they entered After
entering, the ladies and gentlemen were con-
Quoted 10 their respective dressing rooms.
We were informed that about one hundred
invitations were issued; and have understood
that about seyenty-five guests were present
on the occasion.
After the visitors had laid aside their wrap
pings, and completed the pleasant inter
change of greetings, one with another, the
agreeable host would take small parties at n
time through every part of the house and
would explain with great particularly, to
the satisfaction and understanding of EACH
all of the many objects of interest-especially
those the most recherche in character-con-
nected with the architectural regeneration of
Kenton.
Indeed, while being conducted from room
to room, by the kind and accommodating
host, where everything had been changed
since the olden time, we felt that we were
visiting some museum or art gallery in a city,
with wcll-vcrsed guide to explain the nov
elites, rather than simply inspecting the resi-
dcnce of private country gentleman! Be-
sides the examination of the house, and other
curiosities, some of which the owner had col
lectcd in Europe, many ofthe younger guests
joined in pleasant parlor games-in truth,
some of the seniors also participated in these
pastimes-unti between 10 and II o'clock,
when supper was announced. We have no
talent for explaining on paper, or verbally,
the mysteries of II supper. We may simply
remark that this supper, gotten up by the Ia
dies, and chiefly prepared at their homes
they also being furnished with carte btanc by
Mr., King, for his interest in twas as good
n one as any epcure could wish, or enjoy
TO cnumeiate briefly; there were oysters,
roast turkey, roast beef, mutton, and all the
ct ceteras of pickles, sauces, &c, in endless
variety; followed by cakes, custards and
fruits, ofall obtainabe kinds, and all in the
greatest abundance, together with delightful
cotfee-the only beverage stronger than
water that was provided for the evenings en-
tcrtainment.
After supper, various pleasant entertain
ments were introduced; which, together with
enjoyable conversation, passed the hours hap
PLY and rapidly away, until finally, some of