The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-30

Honnv Hsort< a Splendid Dinner
- Pps = incidents.
week or more before Christ mas,
g9rrad people of Columbus were busy
ths .,lring for dinner to be served Christ
tas Day in the great dining hall OF the
College. at which dinner the pupils were
10 he The guests. The good ladies OF our
Town promised the needed meats ard
sweets while purse of nearly hundred
d,,lIars was easiiv raised among the gentle,
men for the purchasing of fish, celery ana
fruits. 1t was desired by the COLUMBUS
friends. to make Christmas day compie'e
ioy TO the two hundred pupils who re-
manned in the College for the holidays.
This dinner, so generously donated Nas
meant if possible to hush any feeiing OF
Inconsistencies that might cause the girls 70
miss the pleasures of a Christmas al nome.
Mutely, yet eloquently, 1t was intended 70
express loving sympathy, tender thought,
fulness and generous kindness. The gooo
people of Columbus have long since
taken the College girls into their hearts
and in giving this dinner to them, they feli
really as If they were preparing least Tor
their own daughters.
had decked the rooms and corridors OF
the Dormitory building, until it looked
like an enchanted sylvan retreat, where
mature had babe her reddest berries glow in
tiny flames of warmth; and twined her
trailing ivies, bamboos and miseltoe
branches in prodigal profusion- This
abundance of green gave one sense oil
spring time cheer; especially was this en-
HANGED by the balmy atmosphere which
ever dwells in the splendidly heated apart
ments of the College. The girls had given
every nook and corner cheerful look, bui
in the spacious dining hall they had
decorated the posts, walls and NANTES
with an artistic ability which would have
done justice to the most skilled probes
sional florists. Glossy ivies encirclsd the
slender, iron posts, wreathes of cedar hung
in graceful festoons. from whose green
swung stars, crowns, horse-shoes and other
titGiDg designs. These were made OF white
tissue paper flowers, and were the handI-
work of the pupils Deserving OF special
mention. were the water lilies, snow drops,
stars of Bethlehem and roses. Notices IN
green gave a pleasant relief 10 the cold
white OF the walls. Two of which were
particularly suitable TO the occasion-"We
are grateful" "We are happy !" These
notices were evidently the language OF
every heart which beat with Joy in the
College building.
Fifteen tables in the dining hall were in
readiness for their weight OF good things,
When we entered. Snowy cloths, shining
china and sparkling glasses displayed ex-
quisite handling. A committee OF Column
Gus ladies had been chosen to attend 10 the
duties of this dinner. These ladies will
lingly left their own tiresides to contribute
to the pleasure OF the ]. |. and Z. pupils.
Downing white aprons over their silks
they went TO work in good earnest, sllcing
haky breads, carving the brown breasts OF
the turkeys, even cutting into the ribs oil
the saucy looking little pigs with red apples
in their mouths, dividing the crisp celery
and seeing that each table was set with the
same quantity of meats, salads, cakes
ielies, charlottes, nuts, candies and fruit
The great range in the College kitchen
was doing active service. The skilled
cooks were handling pans each holding
four turkeys, which were steaming hot III
their rich gravies. Great pans OF macca-
ROM, sliced potatoes, were also being run
into the spacious range that cooks every
thing SO delig htfully. Immense colanders
full OF oysters, from which the liquors We're
draining, We're in readiness Tor the stews
II was indeed an appetlzlng picture. Per.
haps it Will not be considered dlgressIon
here, to speak OF that which most i'm
pressed me, namely, the exquisite neatness
OF the kitchen, the pantries, cupboards ano
shelves. Even with SO many present, mol
crumb was allowed To remaIn d moment
ON floor or table, not a knife was laIO
away without thorough washing, not d
dish was allowed to remain unit Tor USE, d
single instant. Everything was kept il
perfect order. The housekeeping depart
| ments of the |. |. and Z. without flaw
In exquisite neasness. While preparations
tor the dinner were going on, numerous
visitors passed through the dining hal
and kitchen. They were all enthusi
dstic in their praise. The girls took the
keenest interest In all the preparations; they
gave vent 10 their delight III real schuol
glrl expressions OF grautude, saying over
and over again, ''Oh how We do thank the
| good Columbus people"
When the tables mad received the last
needed preparation, the scene was so pretty
that MIR. Echacd was summoned by Lele-
| phone TO come and take picture of the
uin ng nail. The pupils waited arounu
the wide open doors while the scene wa
was being preserved. At a tap OF the
| bell, they merrIly marched To their accus-
toned seats, where they awaited stII d
little longer 10 have their pictures taken.
la lew moments, alter thanks were
offered, the feast began. The ladies III
charge served the girls. Each girl was the
recipient of special attention. To show
| how carefully this was done, we mention,
that every girl in the dining hall
received a slice OF every kind oil
cake The variety embraced every
sort known to the culinary art In Column
! bus. The utter inability OF the girls to
| enjoy everything, caused Mrs. Edwards to
| TO consent. as il was Chrlstm as, TO eacn girl
taking to her room plate heaped up with
dainties for future enjoyment. 1t was
| amusing to hear many oil the girls exclaIm,
| II wish [ could eat some more "On Just
see that delicious cake-I wish COULD eat
another slice" Il never tasted better din
ner." 81 never will forget this day." anu
many other expressions of delight. The
pret.iest sight in Mississippi is look al
the College .girls-how pretty this sight
was upon this especial occasion you may
| imagine by bringing before your mind
eve your ideal Hebes or your types OF
healthy beauty.
DR.. K. w. Jones, the beloved president,
and the Hon. Jas. L. Harrison, were the
guests OF the pupls Dy spccldl iuNlLdllOH.
The girls would not deem any feast COM
plete without DIR. Jones. After the feast
DIR. Jones gave one of his delightful talks
He expressed the gratitude OF his pupils
for this generous dinner. He said that
never had he known kinder hearts or more
thoughtful consideration than that of the
Columbus people. At the close of his
talk, he feelingIy spoke OF gift the Col
lege girls had given him-a beautiful hall
lamp He wished for each girl the beauti-
ful gospel lamp of peace, which would
shed its radiance before the footsteps OF the
possessors of its magical light. DR.. Jones
loves his pupils dearly, and no JOY pleases
him so much as JOY that includes them.
After dinner the pupil. were excused from
their usual duties OF washing dishes. This
gave them freedom to enjoy The Christmas
games, which soon made the Dormitory
echo again and again with merrimenf
Happiness unrestrained blessed this beau
tiful day at the College. Its joys will be
fresh forever. No years of future care
can dim its brightness or fade It's memory.
MoLLIE MCGEE SMELL.
Interesting Letter from Lehore
County,
Big Cotton Crop-A Beautiful Lake--the Hunters
hear D. 81