Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-01-23
A Magnificent Entertainment.
Little Falls, Jan. 20, 1880.

Last weeks Transcript mentioned the in
tended surprise party at Mr.. Mooers', and
added that he (Mr. NJ had found It out and
was ready to meet them. We are pleased to
announce the fact that the would be surpris-
ers were really anticipated by Mr. NJ, and in
stead were surprised ); all the guests being re-
ceived by Mr.. Mooers, his inestimable wife
and the beautiful and accomplished Miss
Carrie Mooers with on hospitality that touches
the heart and every cord of human feeling,
kindling in each breast the warmest, tenderest
emotions Of friendship. Nothing tends more
than beautiful Minnesota winter to awaken
people to realization of the fact that auiuse
ments are engrafted on the nature of man and
should therefore be provided and patronized.
Old and young require recreation almost as
much as food in order to feed and keep alive
the faculty of mirthfulness, and the proximity
of mirthfulness to time and tune, proves that
all three should be exercised together, and this
is precisely what dancing secures. In view of
these facts the idea of spending an evening
under the proverbially hospitable FOOT of Dan
Mooers' with becoming eclat was suggested by
one of our enterprising young men and
sturred into activity by the further fact that
some of the late parties given in Little Falls
have shrouded themselves with an assumed
aristocratic exclusiveness that admits not tho
rays of universal sympathy that is character
istic of true, noble sociahility. Hence Friday
night was settled upon for the party, and every
thing contributed most auspiciously for the
festive occasion. Even the tickle GODDESS of
the weather bestowed her most benevolent smile
and sprinkled every heart of the company
with gems of sunshine that magnifed them
selves into lustrous gladness under the charm
ing influence thrown around them by the
brilliantly lighted rooms and happy faces.
Shortly before seven the foaming steeds,
girdied with sllvery strings of bells that
mingled their merry ring with the glad shouts
of voices, awakening the accustomed silence
Of night from its stiffness, were refined up at
Mr.. Mooers' magnificent country seat, which
is built on the east side of the Mississippi
fifteen miles above Little Falls, and is envi-
roned with unique and picturesque landscape
overlooks the deserted Fort Ripley that lies
dreamily slumbering on the opposite side of
| the river. and furnishes commanding view
Of the lofty pines that crown the hills stretch
ing far away to Che west.
All were received with a whole souled well
come, peculiar to Mr.. NJ ooers' family. and
ushered into tho elegantly furnished and ca
pacious rooms. At eight O'CLOCK tea was an
nounced and forty couple sat down to as rich
a repast as ever decked a monarch's table, and
one upon which the most fastidious Bpicureau
could feast with delight meats of oil kinds
from the rich venison of our forests to the es
tablished bird of thanksgiving fame, and
the symbolic mince pie of our fathers,
| representing in its composition the products of
every land, from the rich condiments of the
West Indies to the blood enriching wine of the
Mediterranean, together with many other va
reties; cakes Of all kinds and designs, and
fruits and sweetmeats without number. I'm
medately after supper the tables were cleared
and removed from the large dining room to
an adjoining room aud again lavishingly
spread, so that any one during the evening, if
feeling the need of refreshments, could help
himself or be served with the richest drink of
tea, coffee, or milk that che ers and does not
inebriate.
Just as the CLOCK was striking the hour of
nine the folding doors of the parlor and sitting
room were thrown opeu and the parlor, sitting
room, and dining hall merged into one, pre-
senting splendid appearance, brilliantly illu-
minated the fine display of house plants, from
the fringed gentiaus and blooming asters from
under the soft sky of the South, to the lilies
and geraniums of the valleys of the East,
the wild roses and golden rods from the thick
| cts of the North, to the cactus and rimsoned
| foliage plants of our western plains, together
with the pinks, violets and roses that find a
| home among every race and in every cline,
tiled the rooms with their sweet odor and
ambrosial incense as they We'd with each othe
| to excel in point of beauty an d sweetness, the
artistic paintings that hung in profusion from
the walls, together with the rich drapery of the
| rooms and the enchanting strains of music
rendered by the musicians, conspired to make
| one almost imagine he were dwelling in Elys-
ian bowers and listening to the enhancing
melodies of Orpheus, the Wizard of Mus c.
All caught the Inspiration and gave them
selves oyer to mirth and joyfulness, partici-
Pating in the dance or engaging in the vari-
Gus games provided for their entertainment
nor did the enthusiasm wane until the first
faint blush appeared in the East to hail the
splendor of returning dawn, warned them that
they must bid their generous friends farewell.
but not before they had welded the remem-
brance of the happy time to memery's tablet
and rendered their best wishes and warmest
! friendship to those who had done go much for
| their enjoyment, did they say good bye, and
| we could not leave without being mentally
impressed with an idea that may be expressed
| in the language of Byron
"But before 60, Tom Dan) Moore,
Here's double health to thee"
W.
| FoR SAIE-Tha John ShonLo fo~ro ~