The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-04-20
An Enjoyable Occasion.

Messrs. Edat01s: Last Friday night, the Lit
erary Club of Fort Defiance met at the hospi-
table residence of Col. Asher Hartman The
weather was cold and rainy, but the attend
ance quite large, notwithstanding the fact that
the river was deep, the night dark and the
way damp and dreary. 1t was like the way
that leads to happiness. Never have seen
greater contrast than that between the pleas
ure within doors and the gloom without.
Col. Hartman and his accomplished wife and
daughter, assisted by his sons, welcomed the
guests with that old Virginia hospitality for
which our people are so justly famed. We
were ushered into the parlor, where, for some
time, we enjoyed lively conversation Every
thing combined to make the evening as en-
Joyable as possible. Not only did the beauty
and grace OF our own neighborhood shine out
with all of its wonted lustre, but several of
otaunton S faIrest daughters were also present
to lend brightness to the scene. There were
Miss Abby, guest of Miss Parkins, and Miss
Hartman, Miss Hanger and Miss McGufin, the
guests of Miss Virginia Hartman The same
particular stars mentioned in former COM
munication were again present, and of course
IN the ascendant. Our President, Capt VIM
McCue, called the house to order about seven
o'clock. The minutes of the last meeting
were read By our Secretary, Miss McCue. She
also read most interesting letter written to
the Club by It's former Secretary, Miss Dun
can, now in Michigan. The Club directed the
secretary to make suitable reply The elect
Ion OF new members being next in order, quite
number OF active members were nominated
and elected, and Mrs. Mckay and Col. Har-
man were elected as honorary members, a dis
| tinction rarely conferred by the Club, and ex-
| tended only to those whom it delights to honor.
11Ie Ca7tac, our Club paper, was then read by
its editor, Professor Byrd This was enioyed
by everybody, except, perhaps, the victims of
his very original jokes, mostly the offspring
| of his fertile Imagination. The society then
adjourned all further business until the next
meeting, and repaired to the dancing room.
there the music set up, land all went merry
as marriage bell" After dancing few sets,
supper was announced, and we responded with
| alacritY to the summons, On entering the
dining room, everyone was charmed with the
splendid appearance OF the table, l have
never seen one more beautifully arranged. In
the centre was large apergne filled with
choice flowers, and around in tasty and arts
tic profusion We're placed everything Fiat the
most tastidious gourman could aesire. Here
we were, it is needless to say, supremely hap
py-especally the gentlemen, since it is a well
known fact that mans happiness lies very
near his heart,
After supper some couples who wished to
have quiet chat, and didn't care to dance
sought secluded hooks about the house. 1t
was thought to be too cold to sit on the porch
as a fair young damsel in a cream colored suit
and young gentleman found, to their sorroW
in spite of shawls, cigarettes and persuasion
Others of the company who were not so SO
elasticity inclined fastened to the room where
Terpsichore held sway, and Notwithstanding
what Domino Sampson would call the "pro
digious" impiety of the thing, we danced un
til the "wee small hours" of the morn, a
which time the company, full OF sorrow tt
put a period to so happy an evening, dispersed
V.