The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-12-23
THE DOLLS RECEPTION.

George Washington and Gen. Grant Spend
II Pleasant Afternoon with Several Fine
Ladies'.
Gladys CARING had issued invitations
for dolls reception, to be held June
2s from four to six p. m, and that mo-
mentous afternoon had arrived, great to
Gladys joy. The little girl in pretty
white dress and blue silk sash was fit
ting about under the great elm tree, her
doll in her arms, when the first guest
was announced-"Miss Belinda Graves. i.
And in dainty carriage, with parasol
held over her head by her careful man.
ma, in at the open gate rode the young
lady. She was dressed in the same ele.
giant suit in which she arrived from Paris
a few weeks before, and she smiled in
patronizing manner at George Washing
ton, who sat at her side with very
dirty face, minus one eye. He looked
decidedly out Of place by the side of the
fine Partisan young lady, but his dear,
little golden-haired mamma regarded
him with loving glances, and would
suffer no rude remarks to be made
about his appearance. Gladys, like the
courteous little hostess she always is,
insisted upon giving him the place Of
honor at her right hand, where he be.
haved in the most gentlemanly manner,
not stirring at all, but keeping his one
eye fixed on the dish of ice-cream. Aunt
Ruth, large, good-natured looking rag
doll, was placed at the foot of the table.
"She did want to come so badly that
hadn't the heart to refuse her." said
little May Ford. Her clothes are not
fashionable, and they don't fit her very
well, but her dear old face looks so good.
And when was ill she never left my
side, but stared at me as anxious as
possible all night and all day. Icouldn't
bear to leave her home, and SO brought
her along"
Sand quite right, too" said Gladys
'I'm very glad you did,"
One darling little mamma came quite
late, and ran into the garden huggins
her doll closely to her heart. "Oh
dear!" she exclaimed, lis Gen. Grant
too late for his tea?"
mo, indeed" said Gladys; "here il
his chair standing ready for him, ant
there's nice slice of cake on his plate.
And when the general was seated
among the company they looked at hin
with admiration, for he presented q fint
and soldierly appearance with his
cooked hat (which he had forgot
ten to remove), his gold-lace(
coat and his sword by his side
He bore the marks Of battle abou'
him, but that only made the ladies ad
mire him the more. The mammas O.
the guests acted as walters, and, really
their children, for such very small PEG
pie, must have had tremendous appe
titles, tor the good things disappeared il
a marvellous way. The ice.cream van
ished quickly, but George Washington
did not take his one eye from the dish
Perhaps he thought it would be re
filled, and wanted to be the FIRST one t.
be aware Of that fact.
Gen. Grants hat fell in the jam, bu
it wasn't his fault-one of the mamma'
accidentally knocked against him.
1t was very pleasant reception. ant
when six o'clock came everybody wa
sorry. But all made ready at once t.
depart. Miss Belinda Graves was pu
in her carriage, and she rode away will
her usual sweet smile, which seemed t.
have become still sweeter since the gen
erals hat was treated to jam.
George Washington, at last forced t,
remove his eye from the ice-cream dish
was carried off with his face bidder
among Mamma Marjorie's golden curls
Gen. Grants brother told the hostes
that the general had had splendi'
time, though the general himself main
tanned his reputation for silence by say
ing not word.
All the guests, as they babe Gladly
good-by, thanked her for the pleasan
entertainment she had given them, an,
expressed hope that they might be in
vited to the next dolls reception tina
took place under the great elm tree
Nancy Lee, in Detroit Free Press.