The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-17
LEAP YEAR IN THE OLDEN TIME.
a Memorable Ball I'm savannah i'm
the sixties.


Soon after the war-from which, whether
befo' or after, most southern chroniclers
date their stories-one of the most unique
and delightful Leap Year balls ever given.
occurred in Savannah, the memory of
which is impressively recalled by numer-
GUS accounts of similar. but far from such
realistic, events now taking place through
out the country
That 1t may serve the younger genera
ton as perfect illustration of chow TO
do it," delighted belle" will try TO give
an outline OF its admirable management,
and still greater success.
At a secret meeting, the ladies of the
citN-married and single-arranged an
tron-clad programme Carried out to the
letter., which, among other things, re-
quired that no single lady could invite a
single gentleman and vice versa. 1t also
required that the lady inviting a gentle
man had to call for him at his residence,
and thereafter take entire charge of him
Another rule was that no one would be
admitted without an escort.
All how the scene comes back, after all
these years, as / recall the exquisite basket
of violets, Nesting in the center of which
was a tiny note, tied with "A "true-lover's
Knot and asking the pleasure of my
company" !, even then, and old" mar
ried man of a year or so, and the invita-
ton from charming young widow!
How / strived to be equal to the Occa-
sion, and how, after the mountain had
labored," my response was sent in the
shape of a pyramid of tropical fruits, with
my delighted acceptance.
Let luscious fruit, from tropic cline,
Speak glowing words in mellow rhyme,
To thank the dearest, best of friends,
Who to an old man escort lends,
To see him safe. whate'er befali
Thro' maze and mischief of leap year
Most generous, cen though rule condign.
Compels the 'un' with married to com
Yet, being so, I to my happy fate
Resign myself-Im yours at half-past
eight"
The years, with their sorrows and trou-
bles, that have fowns since that night
have sown their burrows in face, and
SHOWS of many winters have Whitened the
hair; and truly an ''old man" writes of
what is only memory, but that memory
will last him for the years yet remain
ing, as one of the bright events of rather
an eventful life.
Principally at half-past a carriage drove
up and my escort was shown in the
parlor to await the completion of my
toilet, generally finished in ten minutes
but on this occasion the usual rules We're
observed, and 1 kept her waiting!
Having been properly located" and pre-
sented with a handsome bouquet l was
conducted to the carriage, and we were
rapidly driven to the scene of action"
Such a .scenet- Flowerss everywhere. and
the fairest flowers of all-my escort and
the lady managers!
The dressing rooms were daintily fur
n1SneQ Win all the dGCtSSDIAtS u a per
feet toilet, the uses of many of which we
of the rougher kind were unaccustomed to.
Such as curling longs face powder and
(shall ] tell IT'D little something on red
flannell
How delicious it was to loll back in an
easy chair and smoke, while outside the
door were clamorous SWANS begging US
to hurry!
How long it took to put on my gloves
and smooth a refractory "ringlet!'
And then the grand enTee INTO the pail
room-literally hanging on the arm of my
escort and trying to look unconcerned,
when all the time / was wondering if /
was going to be a "Wall-hower."
All! the fates-the gods. and the dear
little widow / was a belle! She did it!
Taking charge of my card, she soon
had it filed, and nearly danced my feet
Off
The recompense came, however, in hav-
ing to be entertained with small talk, and
l responded Yes" and no, with the
sweet smile and gentle shipper of a Byronic
No gentleman could ask a lady to dance
or promenade, and how l inwardly
chuckled at the row of wall flowers, who,
at 'our" parties, monopcttzed the ladies'
and left we married men to the mercy of
chaperones or the smoking roomi
Such a supper! Seats for every dress
coat, while behind his chair-most solicit
tous for his comfort-was his devoted es-
cort!
Does it often happen that you can lean
back in an easy chair and have pretty
your every beck and nod''-to have your
material wishes realized before they can
even find expression?
Such a Psyche was mine, that glorious
night, in dear old Savannah, and way
down the years comes the echoing men,
Dry! l sit and dream of that happy, by
gone ball and wait a benzon to my charm
ing escort.