The Van Buren press., 1894-06-02

the beautiful steamer McA lister awaiting us and
we soon made ourselves comfortable for the trip
The day vas perfect cool and bright and the
crowd so good natured and congenial, one could
not fail to enjoy every moment. Resides our
own party we had some Of the resident Arkan-
sans along with us making in all over one hun
ridge, MI: and Mrs J. X. Jones, Jr., Mr. and Mrs
liivens, Mr.. and Mrs. Littlepage and children
Mrs. Ivan Pike and daughters, Col. "; ); Davis
Misses Sue and Mary Jones. Col. Bob Howard,
Col. Terry Mrs. Slosson and Miss Julia, Miss
Mills. Mr. Voorhees,, Col. Dutfie, Mrs. King, Mr.
Bennett Rufus and VIII Garland and the COM
mittee Just before starting Mrs. Breckinridge
brought on an immense bunch of carnations and
presented each one of the exeursionists with one
to be worn as badge for the day.
The trip down the Potomac was delightful and
no one was in hurry for 1t to end although 1t
was a sight of Mt Vernon the end would give us
As we drew near the bell of the steamer COM
menced tolling and we knew our journey was
over.
We walked from the dock up through the
magnificent grounds and stopped first ut the
tomb which holds the remains OF George and
inside wee little mother bird sat on on her nest
undisturbed by the many curious eyes peering
at her. On we went up the beautiful mountain
the Father of our Country. The house is
three stories and contains eighteen rooms all
elegantly furnished by different states with
relics OF Washington's family ant furniture of
that date. The old clock on the stairs is running
and keeping exact time. We saw the room In
which Washington died. also the one above In
which his wife bresthed her last locking out on
pied as visitor, the kitchen, with many of the
old utensils. the servants quarters smoke house,
laundry and NUMEROUS other out-bqildings, all
went through the gardens with the wonderful
box hedges and saw more than we could posi-
bly, tell, no matter how much time we had.
After enjoying this scene for several hours we
were again taken on board the McAlister and
carried over to Marshall Hall, once the home Of
Thomas Marshall the grandfather Of Chief
preserved house and six hundred acres of highly
cultivated land comprise the estate 1t Is a
great resort for the city people and is most
partaken Of, and with wonderful rapidity the
delicious shad disappeared as the hungry editor
appeased his appetite. The fish are taken right
out of the water at this point and dressed, then
tackled to a hot oak plank, basted with butter
and set up by big log fire till cooked through.
We spent the afternoon on the lawns and
wandering through the grounds and made the
dancing. and Messrs, Toomer and Newman dis
tinguished themselves by playing THE Arkan-
| sas Traveller" Dixie and other Southern
particularly the musicians and strangers.
We found ON reaching the hotel we only had
time to make hasty toilet for the theatre, where
hearing M IRs De Vol woIi Hopper in sPanjandrumh GNU
wednesday the party divided up, each going
their own way. We visited the Cochran Art
Gallery ana tne " III, state ana navy department
in the morning and after dinner drove over to
Georgetown and Arlington, the magnificent old
home of Lee, which is now used as q National
cemetery, thousands of Union soldiers being
buried in the grounds. The house Is well pre-
served but perfectly bare. This situation is
even more beautiful than Mt. Vernon. Wednes-
day night we bid goodbye to about half the par
ty and the hearts OF those remaining were sad
| that the parting had come breaking pleasant ties
| and separating congenial friends.
we were the guests Of Hon. Hugh Dinsmore
that evening and spent 1t most delightfully."- In
listening to the beautiful opera of Faust. Thurs
day some of our party went to Philadelphia and
New York while we, under Mrs. Jones' wing
went through the Market. and drove around the
city seeing many Of the handsome and noted
residences.
Thursday night we bid farewell to the rest Of
our party aud being the only ones left in the
| hotel were TOO homesick to look for amusement
SO retired early.
Friday we visited the Soldiers Home and made
our preparations for leaving the Capitol City
which we were 10th to do, although we were
| seeing
| We have not spopen of the beauties of Wash.
| ingtOn with Its broad clean streets, green and
shady parks, and handsome buildings and statu-
ary, for an attempt TO describe them would only
be to fail and we had best leave it to a reader
| and mightier pen. But We must speak OF the
| royal manner In which the dear people of Arkan.
| the most lavish manner from the beginning tn
| the end, carly and late and in the happy whole
| souled way that Arkansans are famous for.
| The editors, one and ALL deeply appreciated
| their attentions, and each one slowed the happy
| recollection of them away down in his heart and
with the promise TO himself to return them, Il
| ever an opportunity is offered, ten fold.