Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-07-29

rose on her breast were the onl
adornments she wore.
Nature had done wonders for her
| and no efforts of art could add b"aut
; to natures chef de'@urre.
"Et vera inccssu patuit Dea, coul,
have been aptly applied to her, as sh
moved before her fathers guests, will
Icrimson scarf in hand, the emblem o
victory won, and the token of friend
ship bestowed.
| Messrs Lester and Loudoun. will
Major and Darlington, their compcti
tors in the race, on either side o
them. then advanced to the foot o
the platform.
When Loudoun had approached
within three feet of the platform, he
paused. Lester, who was acting a;
Grand Marshall. then cried out:
advance, Sir Knight, and receive
from the presiding queen of beauty
the reward of thr skill, and the token
of thy feaity to the claims of wit ard
/ beauty"
Loudoun then bowed, first to the
assembly on the right, then to those
on the left. then to the dignitaries on
the platform: and advancing threw
himself on one knee, at the feet oil
Miss Spalding, and gracefully bowed
( his head
Miss Spalding, like a princess of
the olden times, holding the scarf in
her left hand, with her right hand ex-
tended towards Loudoun spoke; and
! the musical tones of her silvery voice.
+ fell upon the ears Of her listeners, like
the melody of the laughing waters of
the ripping mountain brook.
/ at affords us rare pleasure, gentle
man knights, as representative, how
ever unworthy, of the grace and the
loyellness Of the gentlsr sex, who have
/ deported us to act for them on the
present occasion, 10 bestow the need
/ Of reward and crown with the emblem
of victory, the gallant champion, who
has, in fair aud manly contest, sur
passed his generous rivals and
gracefully bending her sylph-like
form. she placed the crimson scarf on
the neck of Loudoun. who, standing
erect, drew up his manly form to its
/ full height, and with the easy dignity
that so we'll became him, said:
MANY thanks gracious queen of
beauty for vonr extraordinary conde-
scension and graceful compliment. |
would it were so. that like the sue
eessful knights, in the olden times or
Eehiyalrv, | might wear this emblem,
not only as trophy OF victory won,
but might treasure as a guerdon of
/ fayors to be granted aud still greater
uiumphs to be achieved in u more at
tractiye field OF rivalry.
And | tsg to say in conclusion.
that this bright scarf which now en-
circles my neck. will have leave to
blush deeper crimson. il by any act
I OF mine. it shall ever have cause to re
gret that II has been transferred from
the possession Of It's former wearer ;
and shall treasure it as Il memento
of the hallowed past and wear it US IA
talisman against the ills of adversely
Sa4ts %siE 1AiEtle VI lbE Iuus-
Mr. Darlington, who was a fine
specimen OF the species gentleman.
turned aud bowed politely TO the as
senblagc, said:
Ladies and gentlemen, my friend
Major and myself did our utmost to
win the race; but bad We known of
the distinguished additional honor to
be conferred upon the winner. We
should, If possible, have redouhled
our eXertions to win such prize. As
1t Is, we shall be the first To congratu-
late Mr. l.oudoun on the trophy of
MS victory and the badge of his roy
atty 10 the Establishments of the gen
tier sex :; aud go saving he seized
Loudonn's hand in a cordial grasp.
This was the signal for general
throwing off of restraint aud cere-
mony, and Loudoun was introduced
by Darlington and Major to each Of
the assembled guests, with whom he
Vas not yet acquainted. Charlie in
the meanwhile, was performing the
like duty for Miss Spalding, and in a
.f.w moments all were acquainted, and
all were chatting and laughing with
that complete abandon and mutual
confidence, which characterize the
private social gatherings among the
people of lower Marviand.
Dinner was soon announced. Col.
Plunkett led the WAY with Mrs. Spald-
ing, and the Colonel followed with
Mrs. Plunkett. After the older mem
bers had filed off, the Younger portion
Of the guests took up the line of pro-
cession headed by Miss Lou aud Lou
dun.
The merry party enjoyed themselves
hugely. Fun flew fast and lively and
the sparkling of the champagne was
rlvaIed by the frequent sallies of wit,
Col. Spalding knew how to choose his
company when he gave party, and
understood we'll the art of entertain
ing his guests.
Lester was in his element. and even
the sedate Loudoun astonished his
friends by his ready rep1rtes and his
pleasant sarcasm.
Neale, Gardner ana Lester re
peated the story of the fracas at Kin
derhook and the subsequent midnight
encounter, emitting by agreement, all
allusion to young Mr. Gaddis, and the
story grew so rapidly at each repeti-
ton, so well did the narraters draw
upon their ardent imaginations, that
Loudoun was fairly at loss to under
stand that he had been an actor in it
all. He was evidently the lion of the
evening, and it was his friend Testers
intention not to suffer, by any lack of
effort on his part, any elimination to
the reputation already acquired by
his friend.
The hour after dinner was devoted
to promenading and making by
the young ladies and their beaux.