Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-09-04
SPRINGS STILL GAY.
A GRAND FANCY BALL AT THE ROCK
BRIDGE ALUM.
The "Dispa,ch Rcprcscntcd-rrogres-
si,e Euchre and a Gay Coaching
Psrty-A Goodly Company.
icorre,pondencc Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
RocKBRIDGE ALUM SPEISGS
August 81, 1889.

August 81, 1882
The summer is upon its death-bed, yet
II Is one Of such fowery brightness that
our resignation TO It's present Joys are too
great for many mourners, except those
WHO have flown already to the city Sc
pulchros of clay and mortar. But for an
occasional blush that ovorspreads the
sngar.maples upon the lawn the verdure
is as tenderly green as when summer
was welcoming and not speeding It's
parting guests. And SO great Is the beat
to.dav that the tennls-courts, bowling
alleys. and mountain iaunts are with
alacfItv relinquished for a quiet seat
meath the kindliest spreading chestnut
tree and garb OF the thiunest texture
The Rockbridgo Alum has by no means
vet attuned It's song Of cnyety 10 that sup
nosedlv sweet old word goOd-by, but
the rhythmic sounds OF "reyclry ny
night " are yet ringing their echo IN our
ears.
A BRILLIANT FANCY BALL.
Around the walls Of the ballroom spec
fators were four rows deep when the
grand march commenced. more daz-
zling, glaring. fantastic mass oil animated
colors could scarce be conceived. Many
varied and intricate figures OF the march
were gone through with military exact
ness II not uniform array. Characters oil
MANY centuries and divers countries
were graphically represented. and the
looker.on was In constant state OF
changing impressions from the many
types OF life from the sublime TO the
ridicu,ous.
Miss Bessie Chamberlain, who Is an
honor 10 Norfolk (her home) and an
ornament to any precinct she enters,
with her delicate patrician face, was an
ideal Madame Recamler.
Mrs. II. q. Cabell represented our
wonld-be national flower, the golden
rod. and was as radiant to behold as the
qlorions blossom itself. Her drapenes
were fringed with it, Der hat dropped
with it. and many ribbons matched Its
rich hue. while one hand carried hte-
rally golden rod.
Mrs. Thorpe was equally as effective
as leaves, deep red foliage entirely en-
veloping her.
Miss Emma Darlington was very
fetching Yum-Yum, with a japanese ian
as large as herself.
Miss Bette Deane, charming wood
land nymph.
Hiss Minnie Baker, of Norfolk, very
picturesque in Ia DirectOire.
Miss Carrie Shields, Queen of Hearts.
Miss Judith Darlington, sanity and
sombre nun.
Miss Mamie EllysOn, verltable Folly.
Miss Lucy Quarles attracted much at
fention III the wellknown type OF the
Richmond DiSpdtch--a garb which II
not the newest is ever found the newsest.
Miss Cora Wells, of Cincinnati, an
old-iashioned girl.
Miss Hancock, Of Richmond, q court
lady.
Miss Cayce, Daisy.
Miss Daisy Wells in an exquisite and
genuine Swiss peasant costume.
The gentlemen In the greater num-
bers were gallant courticrs. and nothing
could have been more striking than their
powdered heads, Knickerbockers. and
lace jabeaus. Some of them were ::
Messrs. Richmond Maury, Samuel f.
Ficklin, John Mallory, II. L. Arlington,
John VI. Taylor. Muscoc l.. Spotswood,
and John Cullen, while Mr.. Charles A.
Brown, lieutenant in the Richmond
Howitzers. and Mr. J. +. Parkinson, Of
Danville, rs "a melancholy monk, were
much remarked. At least a hundred
more characters we-e glancing upon the
floor, but memory alone recalls these IA
miliar faces.
PKOGRRSsIvE-EUCHRE AND COACHING
PAETY.
Mrs. Wells, of Cincinnati. and Mrs.
Wilson, Of Stanton. entertained a few
friends at delightful little progressive
ouchre party the next evening. The
first prize, an artistic mouchoir case, was
won by Norfolk belle, Miss Minnie
Baker. The next Qetter-scalCs) by Mrs
Wilson, and a box OF bon-bons by Miss
Bessie Chamberlain. The gentlemen s
first prize, handsome pen, was won by
Mr.. Sessions, of Mississippi the second
prize "a tickler) 10y Mr.. John Mallory,
and the BOBBY Ga pack OF cards. Ivy
Professor Thomas.
One of the greatest pleasures OF this
happy season was coaching party
given on Friday by three of Richmond
eallants-Colonel Muscoe Spotswood,
Mr.. Il. Turner Arlington, and Mr.. John
NJ. Taylor. The party was charmingly
chaperoned 10y Mrs. Judge Lewis, and
composed of Miss Mary Lewis, Miss
Cav Caskio, Miss Bette Deane. Miss
White, OF Maryland, Miss Judith Car
rinpton, Miss Emma Darlington, Miss
Cora Wells, of Cincinnati, and Miss
Kate May. and Mr.. 5. +. Flcken, ar.
Bodeka Clapp, ana Mr.. }. ID. Pickard.
The old-fashioned coach with its
four good steeds bore as merry
party rs ever mounted tally-ho across
these rugged peaks Now and then
fone view would bring the party to a
htand-still for ecstacies of delight and
Thapsodies of praise when near and dis
iant scenery was marvel of all things
grand.
Milboro' Springs, the destination, was
reached just at "a time when each felt
that the eve conld not feast alone, and a
good Old Virginia dinner, well seasoned
with the best condiment Of ala good
appetite-was thoroughly enjoyed.
Mrs. Albert Bruce and little Miss Sa'
rah Bruce, who are summering there,
with grace and gTaciousncss made
bright the orief stay OF the party. just
as the shades of evening had fallen upon
the Alum the air was filled with tri-
unphant songs and hurrahs of the gay
crowd as it rolled up just in time for
supper. 1t is reported there are three
hundred aud twenty seven guests here.
GRACE FRANKLIN.