The Brookhaven leader., 1884-07-31
A Day at the MeneIas Plantation.

In response to a most cordial invita-
ton from the Messrs. Menelas and Mikas,
last Saturday was spent by Mrs. II. and
ourself ut their delightful country resi-
dence. By prearranged plan we there
met DIR. j. M. Grafton and Col. Den
nett and our old time and highly valued
friends, Mrs. A. E. Coleman and Mrs. Lottie
Parr, of New Orleans, now residing at
Bogue Chitto, and if there was anything
necessary to perfect the delightful occa-
sion the meeting with these friends fully
compensated. After most cordial well
come by the lady of the mansion (Mr. 2.
Mikas) we felt "at home," as does every
one whose good fortune it is to fall into
the hands Of these gentlemen. For an
hour or more the time was pleasantly
passed in conversation and we were be-
coming more and more interested in that
vivacious and intelligent gentleman, Mr..
Euchiddi, when dinner was announced,
and never was a more social time spent
around a festal board so laden with "a
feast of good things" The fruits of the
season were there in full beauty and most
luscious perfection. The fine grapes
and peaches were especially tempting =;
but we should not distinguish, for there
was so great a variety that each seemed
the best in turn;-even the melons could
not be sighted, and we felt that the
cause of our great enjoyment of it all was
that nothing was there but what had
sprung from the native soil of the planta-
tson. Energy and enterprise, ambition
and progress, are whispered in every
passing breeze as it fans the clambering
| vines that shade the homelike mansion
or breathes life into some delicate, en-
| bryo plant that in time will be q monu
ment and glory to the thrift and enter
prise of its owners. After dinner, which
was discussed with the greatest relish,
music was the order of the day and the
beautiful singing of Mrs. Parr and ex-
| quisite performances of Mr.. P. Mikas
We'd with each other in point of brillian-
cy and soul-stirring effect. But among
SO many attractions and objects of great
interest one could not devote but short
while to either, so it was not long before,
equipped for the journey Zone of us in Mr..
Mikas' green calico sun-bonnet, for
which We were sincerely gratefully we
found ourselves strolling over the planta-
tation and our interest and wonder
growing at every step. Here we saw the
tea-plant most fourlshing and in bud,
there cork tree with its tiny clusters OF
acorns and peculiar looking trunk, here
the luxuriant looking grape arbor, there
sugar maple which recalled many a
childish story of "maple sugar." but dis.
PEELED the delusion that it was something
"afar off," The pear trees were laden
with rich fruit, the peach most luxuri-
ant, vegetables most thriving and melons
in abundance. We were told that Mr.
Angel, who tested his "Decorticator" last
year on this plantation, is now on his
way there with his machine perfected
and will begin operations about the first
of August with this years product OF
jute, which is in a most thriving condi.
tion.
With regret, but laden with most
pleasant memories of the day, and feel
ing under renewed obligations to ouI
courteous hosts, we left this royal coun.
try retreat and enjoyed fine ride home
with Messrs. Euchiddi and Mikas in the
| latter's comfortable hack.