The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-08-30
A birthday Party.

Editors Times and Democrat
There is one condition, or stage of ex-
istence, to which we may all lay claim
that OF free and happy childhood, when
pleasures, though simple, are intensely
enjoyed, when a cheap gift. is as highly
esteemed as costly bawble would be
in more mature years. Simplicity and
artlessncss, mark the period of baby
hood and the bordering years. frequent
~ extending into the ejtecns. This peri
cd of life, though remote to many of US,
is pleasant retrospect, and the impress
sions Of early childhood in most respects
are ineradicable, but as our views be-
come enlarged and onr taste more crlti-
cal, we outgrow or oyerleap the bound
ary that compassed our childish enthusi-
asm. This ls a loug prologue, Now
to the point. On last Tuesday morn
ing, not long after the coming of Sol's
rays, the forerunners of his fierce sum-
mer heat, the children of our family were
aroused by the arrival Of one of the We
hicles that was to: convey them to the
house of a relative, distant five miles
south Of Orangeburg, where an assem-
blage of little folks was expected to cele-
brate the ninth birthday of the young
miss of the family. Impahence and
eagerness prevailed in our household,
until the final exit Of all, save pateria-
milas, Owing to midsummer heat. the
thermometer ranging in the nineties,
the usual latitude allowed to the imagi-
nation by persons who chronicle charm
ing rides in the country must be. omitted,
as truth compels me to say the ride was
particularly warm and dusty, and the
poetry of transportation was entirely in
the bright anticipation Of the juveniles.
Other vehicles soon arrived, and con-
tanning their cargo Of little ones, the
| circle was thus made complete, The
chronicer in this case, should be one of
the children themselves, to relate their
enjoyment in the delightful pastime of
singing, chasing each other in outdoor
games. playing under the grape arbor.
whose lcafy screen, was ornamented by
Juicy pellets, scarce mature enough to
tempt the boys of the party to go in
quest. At two O'Clock long table was
spread under the extensive arbor, one
end of which was reserved for the young
guests, the other, for the sober ones OF
the party. Can I describe bountlful
elegantly prepared repast without en-
croachiug upon stereotyped descriptions,
which would avoid, if it were possi-
BILE. Suffice it to say, the lady and her
daughters. whose fair hands prepared
these tempting viands for the relish of
the guests. are too well known as pro-
ficients in the preparation of all dishes,
which can grace the board or tempt the
palate of any epicure or gormand in Or
angeburg County. Dinner being suffici-
emily discussed by every one, and as
martial amusement is the order Of
the day by both sexes at present, a
waggish proposition was made by some
one for drill. Think of it, ye who are
given to appetite and avoirdupois? An
eX-Confed., who was present, one who
scorns not q plump turkey, or fatted
duck, and is also Of goodly proportion,
and one, who was so tatterngly alluded
to as presiding officer at the late agricul-
tural meeting, was proposed as drill
master for the nonce. which proposition
was not met with favor by the individual
himself not feeling sprightly- Games
filled up the afternoon with pleasing di-
vcrsity. and. with the prospect of fmuch
needed ram, we repaired to our different
homes, having spent an agreeable day,
and one not to be forgotten by the chill
dren. MATERFAMILIAs.
August %. 1883.