Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-11
SUMNER LIFE AT ROCK ENON.
How Time is killed-NOveI Contests
Who Are There, Etc, Etc.
MISS GRUMPY.

Special Correspondence Of THE EVENING STAR
Rock ENON SPRINGS, VA, August 9th, 1888.
The summer days pass very pleasantly at this
favorite resort. AS q retreat for mothers and
children during the heated term ii cannot be
surpassed; while gentlemen. when once they
steal away for a few days from business and the
hum and hustle Of city life. invariably make a
strong effort to do so again, and nearly always
succeed. They find it splendid place to loaf.
and that is what they come for. they say. They
can. if they wish, leave Washington or Balti-
more in the evening, and by stopping at VIM
chester over night. enjoy an early morning ride
OF fifteen or sixteen miles Overa beautiful noun
tain road. arriving ar their destination in time
for breakfast. Or, by leaving either city i'm the
morning they can arrive here the same evening.
One OF the main secrets Of the real enjoy
ment here is that one becomes acquainted with
everybody upon very short notice. One is not
Obliged to 60 mOpng around for several DAYS,
playing wall flower, but Is at once taken into
the circle and soon enjoys the fun with the rest
Then, too, the requirements of the more fash
ionabe watering places are ostracised, and the
visitor need nay no regard to the latest styles
but can dress with the utmost Independence
and can enjoy the mountain life in whatever
costume desired.
The surrounding country is very picturesque
and beautiful: Nearly every morning one of
up before the door and is at once filled by a
merry party bound tor ride to one of the many
points in the vicinity affOrding a magnificent
view of the mountains and valleys; or for a
flying visit to Capon Springs, the neighboring
summer resort. was one of such party which
went on Saturday morning to .'Anderson's
View" three miles distant The road
was rough, but our tempers were even.
and the jolts and jars only seemed
to add to the pleasures of the day. Upon ar
ri ,.,%D u
pedestrians already enjoying the lovely piano.
rama of purple mountains and green valleys
stretching as tar as the eye could reach re-
turn to the hotel by a different road adds
greatly to the pleasure of such trip. Walk
ing parties are greatly the fashion here. too:
and to See party OF ladies, who of home would
not dream of such thing. start on long walk
TO the pinnacle" or the "Catamount," from
both OF which points magnificent views are OBJ
tanned, is matter Of daily occurrence
A popular feature here is the bowling alleys,
which are kept going from morning till night
and the boys who ''set 'em up" scarcely have
time TO swallow their meals Nearly every day
there is hot contest between two teams. which
attracts many spectators. On SATURDAY. there
was regular tournament between the ALLEYS
which was greatly enjoyed by both contestants
and spectators. The players were all from
Washington. and the average score was SO good
that there is talk Of challenging CapOn to
match. The teams consisted of Chas. b. Beall.
captain, A. c. Bradley, VIM. d. Cabell and John
H. White; and Rudolph Kaufman captain w
w. Burdette. Robert Johnston and DIR. H. w.
King. The latter team won by sixty-nine points
In five holly contested games.
A few moving spirits frequently plan some
suitable evening amusement, such as tableaux
charades. theatrlcais, or fancy dress bail.
When no such speciality is on the program a
walk up the road is followed by whist in the
large parlOr and dancing in the ballroom At
such times nine or ten whist tables are running
at once, but the sound of the cards and the
merry laugh OF the victOrs are moderated as the
rich voice of Mr.. b. u. keyser fills the room
with it's sympathetic rendering of one of the
innumerable ballads he sings so well.
On last Friday the announcement was bull
letined that In the evening the screaming farce
OF Popping the Question" would be present I'd
At an early hour all the seats were occupied
and standing room only" was announced. The
roles were enacted by well-known Washin yton
and Baltimore ladies and gentlemen In a very
satisfactory manner. The stage setting was
quite artistic, and added greatly to the success
of the entertainment. Earlier in the week some
children's tableaux were very successfully ar
ranged by Mrs. Mulan, Of Baltimore A series
OF pictures, representing "Little Red Riding
Hood" and her meetings with the wolf; Beauty
and the Beast; THE Seasons" ..Newsboys" and
Crossings Sweepers," &C., were given with
realistic effect. rejecting great credit upon the
little ones who took part and the Lady who en-
gineered them.
Every second of August is what is known as
"waters' day." Upon this occasion the walt
ers have contest In decorating their tables.
There are three prizes for those who show the
greatest taste and ingenuity, and the awards are
made bv q committee of the guests. For sew
eral days last week the walters devoted what
spare hours they could ind to making prepa-
ratiOns. The country people, as usual. brought
eyergreens. MOSES and flowers and sold them
to the knights Ofthe napkin. When dinner was
announced last Thursday the guests marched
in q procession and viewed the different
tables. Many of the designs were very
unique, indeed, and some showed considerable
taste. The boys evinced their pleasure at re-
marks OF appreciation by broad grins and pecu.
liar ducks of the head. One design was "Wash-
ington at Valley Forge" George and his horse
were both made Of coiored pasteboard. but the
legs OF the rider were greatly ont Of proportion
to the length OF his body. The tents were COW
cred with -four to represent snow, as was the
ground. Miniature nuskets were stacked here