Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-08-21
THE BALL At WILD GOOSE FARM.

has occurred In tnls Vicinity Tor nlany
years was the assembly ball given al
Wild Goose Farm by Mr.. Henry
Shepherd last week. A correspon'
dent of the Charlestown Spirit has
written an account OF the affair
which is such truthful description
that we feel it cannot be improved
upon. 1t is as follows:
On Thursday, August 18th, about
five o'clock in the afternoon, very
happy party of fifteen pretty girls left
Charles Town, in charge OF a strict
chaperon, to participate in the festiv-
tiles at "Wild Goose Farm" the en-
chanting country seat Of Mr.. Henry
Shepherd, three miles beyond Shep-
herdstown.
The drive through the lovely land,
bathed in it's sunset glory, was some
thing never to be forgotten, and each
moment seemed to bring subtle and
lovely changes to the scene, until at
last night fell, and the carriages
which had rolled for three miles since
passing through old Shepherdstown,
along the most perfect turnpike road,
built by Mr.. Shepherd himself
turned suddenly from an ordinary
10Th century atmosphere into fairy
land.
Along the dim lines of trees both
sides of u noble avenue twinkled
myriads of colored lamps. and far in
the distance an enormous arch OF
! light seemed to end the vista, but as
they drew nearer, larger and more
brilliant picture revealed itself be-
yond the arch. Great groups of flash
ing balls Of light seemed suspended
high above their heads. and on all
sides, as the carriages stopped on the
broad sweep of shell road, and the
four courtly sons OF the master of
wild Goose" stood ready to vel
come their fair visitors. 1t was a be-
wildering scene of lovsliness. The
arch Of lanterns sprung from huge
granite pillars, which extended far on
both sides Of the entrance, taking in
immense trees, around which were
grouped delightful seats for the con-
fort of the many distinguished guests
who had gathered to watch the dan
GERS.
From the farther side of the pa
vilion the broad shell road stretched
up the hill to the house, and above
hung the massed lanterns of richest
coloring shedding soft, delicious
light, most becoming to the fair faces
of those who moved to and fro be-
meath them. On either side, as far as
the eye could reach, were spots OF
vivid color, from lanterns hung on the
branches, and here and there where
more brilliancy was needful, the great
| Jets OF flame from gasoline torches
disclosed rich turf and glowing beds
of flowers. The house, which is a
cottage building in graceful architec-
ture, and apparently OF great size,
was thrown open, but the outside
charms were too wonderful to allow
of lingering there, and as the guests
turned at the porch to go down the
hill to the pavilion, cries of delight
escaped them. The lights, the mu-
sic, the bright dresses, the gay laugh
ter, and added to all, the indescrib-
able charm Of the summer night, the
wonderful quiet beauty of the wide,
solemn heavens which stretched above
it all, and seemed to keep benignant
watch over the innocent joys of the
lisht-hsarted ones below.
The manner in which all was ar
ranged, and the quiet precision, like
clockwork, Of the attendants who
looked after the lights, refreshments,
etc, was marvellous, and told of a
master mind which had planned it all,
down to the most minute detail. AS
the candles in the lanterns burned
away, the whole structure quietly
dropped to the ground, new candles
were put in place, and the huge
chandelier" scared aloft again, APP
parently by no power agency! The
fireworks were a charming feature OF
the evenings entertainment, being
made to rush from the heart of a big
oak tree down a wire which extended
some distance along the avenue, and
then back again, to explode in a
shower Of stars.
The large tables loaded with re-
freshments were placed outside the
pa vilion, and all through the evening
parties wendell their way thither and
were served by half a dozen tidy
maids. Everything SO quiet, so ell
egant, so simple, that one felt that
this was the perfection Of party-going
in the country.
The music was given by three or
four performers on violins, cello ana
piano, and was very fine. There was
also very delightful singing, led by
''R. d. Mclean" the talented actor,
son of Mr.. Shepherd, and partic-
ipated in by the three Messrs Shep-
herd, Mr.. Martin Boyle, Of Hagers-
town, DR.. Morgan and Mr.. A. NJ. Nor
gan, of Shepherdstown. Among the
guests were ladies from Martinsburg,
Berryville, Hagerstown, Charles
Town and Shepherdstown also Mrs.
Catesby Woodford of Kentucky, and
her cousin, Miss Clay, both of whom
are visiting Col. Henry Davenport,
Mrs. .Woodford's father. The dan
cling of most Of these beaux and bellies
would have thrown into the shade
that Of the general run OF city lads