Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-09-03
Shannon Park.

The spacious and elegant Villa OF
Mr.. Charles H. B. Rouss, opposite
Shannondale Springs, was the scene
of most brilliant entertainment last
Thursday evening. Invitations from
Mr.. Rouss and his sister Miss Vir-
GINA Rouss, summoned large num-
Der of their friends to the happy
pleasures of a rarely equaled round
of varied gayeties.
The festivities began about eight
O'Clock with an exhibition of fire.
works, under the direction of Mr..
Rouss and his friend Mr.. Ware, of
New York. The display was won
derful one, and in the highest taste of
the pyrotechnic art, making the night
SO beautiful with the striking con-
trasts of the rockets, Roman candles,
wheels and explosives of every shape,
hue and style. This continued until
all the guests had arrived and APP
peared on the ample veranda ready
for the graceful Terpsichore's guild
ance. Then, after short promenade
through the parlors and ballroom,
dancing was INDUCED in until the ar
rival of " Jacks" Band, signal for
the cotillon to commence. About
twenty couples participated in the
ever changing mazes of this dance,
popularity called the German" 1t
was led by Mr.. Ware, of New York,
who showed great skill and tact in
selecting and managing the pretty
and often very funny figures of his
cotillon repertoire. The Joyous aban-
don of the dancers and their happy
smiles and sparkling eyes were tes-
timony of how thoroughly they en-
joyed the brightly tripping of the
light fantastic.
During the intermission just before
the supper, there was a charming lit
tie musicale presided over by the far
famed musical genius Mr.. Leo Wheat,
in his inimitable manner. Some ac-
compartments to the piano-forte were
sung by several of the fair guests,
which was especially charming.
The supper was sumptuous one,
the mirthful spirit of wines mingling
with the deltcacies of every cline and
season. The cotillon was resumed
after the intermission for supper, and
many beautiful favors were bestowed
in the German figures, particularly
noticeable being satin souvenir of
the evening presented by the cour-
teous host.
When the cotillon was over, the
musicale was again begun, and Mr..
Ware sang several character songs,
which provoked the audience to a
scene of perfect jolly laughter.
The Villa is a beautiful summer
home, built on a gentle eminence
sloping eastward 10 the CHEEKY, spark
ling Shenandoah. Immediately in
front of the house is superb foun-
tain, and on every side are parterres
of rare flowers; terraces with the
green sod snugly lying; gravel walks
and drives winding among the trees
and shrubbery, of this one seasons
growth; lake cleaning nearby, and
arbors over which are just beginning
to run the Virginia ivy and other
vines. FauItless taste has trans
formed a noble hilltop into a very
idyI of architecture and Horticulture.
The most CONSPICUOUS engraving in
the house is one of the immortal
Stonewall'' Jackson, the idol of the
hosts father, and reminds the spec
tator of the conquests of Mr.. Rouss,
the Senior, the grand jackson of the
realms of mercantile pursuits.
The occasion was one ever to be
remembered in the social calendar,
and all were loath to leave the many
delights of such open hospitality and
friendly regard.
Really was it treat of beauty, to
be joy Away to the happy friends
of host and hostess. May health,
wealth and friends ever bestow the
cornu-copia of increasing happiness!
Under the caption of "Good Water
and Drainage Did 1t" the Baltimore