The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-01-12

The HorcHKIss sTocKINe.-Last
Friday night a number Of invited
guests were assembled in the parlor
Of Maj. N. II. Hotchkiss to meet MIR.
A. o. Buhnell, Of Dansville, N. Y.
and witness the ceremony of opening
the Santa Claus stocking, which con.
tanned number Of gold eagles, the
gift Of friends Of Maj. H., in test.
mony Of their appreciation OF his
labors in behalf OF better understand
ing between the North and South,
through the agency Of the press OF
the respective sections. The even.
ing was passed in pleasant social in.
tercourse, until the hour arrived for
the real business Of the occasion to
commence. Mr.. Bunneli, as secre.
tary and treasurer, and we might say
the embodiment Of the spirit and
energy Of the novel work, approached
the duties Of the evening in very
neat and graceful speech, exposing to
the view of the select audience, as he
did so, twelve hundred dollars in gold
as u Christmas gift to Maj. Holchkiss.
This brought from the Major one of
the best, Ifnot the very best of i'm
promptu speeches we have ever heard
or read, which did credit to his head
and heart. Real wit, eloquence and
pathos thread through every line,
showing the old gentleman equal to
even this occasion, as he has been to
every other which he has had to en-
counter. After the speeches a boun-
tiful rerast was enjoyed at the table
of the hist, prepared in elegant style
and protuse abundance, by the esti-
mable lady Of the house and her nc.
complisted daughters. Music and
song, with q regular old time jig BY
the Major, interyened, lending a
mosaic attraction to the entertain
ment. On Saturday morning the
handsome gift was transferred AS Il
payment on the property in which
Maj Hptchkiss resides, lifting not
only the burden of the debt from the
House and lot, but q considerable
burden from his mind.
One Of the pleasant incidents Of
the efehing, was the presence Of Mrs.
Hotchkiss, the mother of Maj. N. FL.
and jed. Hotchkiss, aged IS years.
Her mid is as bright as one of the
gold eagles presented, and her wit
and humor as fresh and vivacious as
though she were in her teens. She
is indeed very remarkable woman,
and TO have such another is sugiicj-
ent cxp lanation of the untiring cner-
gy and usefulnessofthe sons. Since
last October this old lady has made
eight bed quilts, ono for each other
grand daughters, each containing
1000 pieces, read the Bible through
once, and half through again, besides
miscellaneous reading and many lit
tie domestic undertakings. Her
health is vigorous, her mind and
memory clear ana strong, ana taxing
all mall, she is the most remarkable
old lady we have ever seen or con
versed with,
The evening was very enjoyable,
and will long be rendered for its
PLEASANT sssocfStions BY all who were
present, md be held in cherished re.
memberahce BY Maj. Hotchkiss and
his estimable family. Mr., Bunnell,
modest, entertaining, intelligent
gentleman, was evidently delighted
with the success which attended his
suggestion a year ago, consummation
of which was so happily crowned on
Christmas Eve, aud will hold in
pleasant remembrance the genial
greeting which spoke the grateful
appreciation of the relatives and
friends of the "0ld Santa Claus
Valley Ergiaian.