The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-03-31
EIGHTY YEARS YOUNG"
The Octogenary Reception at Major
and Mrs. Harris Last Friday Even.
ing-a Brilliant and Enjoyable Event
In Every Way.

The Autocrat of the Breakfast
table" who upon being asked how
old he was replied: Il am 80 years
young
And as with the gentle poet and
genial philosopher. SO with our es-
teemed friend and popular townsman
Maj. j. F. Harris. Having first seen
the light Of day March 25th, 1918.
he was just 80 years young" on last
Friday. In honor of the event over
200 tickets of invitation to an ..Octo-
genary Reception were issued and
on the evening of the 25th the hos
pitable home of Maj. and Mrs. Harris
was thrown open to their friends.
the occasion being one of the most
recherche and enjoyable affairs of the
kind on record in Henderson.
AS was to have been expected
owing to the popularity Of the host
and hostess and the desire to pay
respect to them and extend congrat-
ulations and best wishes on such an
suspicious occasion the reception was
very largely attended. From to II
o'clock perfect stream of humanity
passed in and out the rooms being
thronged with a brilliant company
of fair women and courtly men.
1t was a cheerful and bewitching
scene that was presented to view on
every side. The rooms were taste
fully ornamented with cut flowers
and potted plants.
Wax candles of various colors
thickly placed around the walls shed
a flood of mellow light and together
with the chandeliers overhead illumi-
mated the surroundings to the point
OF dazzling brilliancy.
Maj. Harris never looked happier
nor handsomer and more youthful
declared his better half. He looked
fully ten years younger than he is.
He is remarkably well preserved
man physically and as light of step
and mirthful of spirit as any of the
boys in "his set" And added to
this he enjoys the confidence and es-
TEEN of his friends in the highest de-
gree, showing that his years have
been we'll spent and life with him has
uOI DccI d lalluTc.
Mrs. Harris was becomingly attired
in handsome black satin and never
appeared more radiant in person or
manner. She welcomed her friends
most graciously and entertained them
very charmingly.
Maj and Mrs. Harris received their
friends in the main parlor. After
H.
and kindly words said the guests
were conducted to the dining room
to partake of an elegant collation. Of
ices, cakes, fruits, etc. TO say that
Dughi, the we'll known caterer Of
Raleigh, furnished the refreshments
is sufficient in itself. They were OF
the choicest varieties and everything
was il the best style and taste and
served in manner that reflected the
highest credit upon all concerned.
The bevy of pretty young ladies in
pink and blue and other becoming
costumes who with so much grace,
and ease, and charm of person waited
on the table, added much to the sue
cess and njoyment of this feature
Of the entertainment. They were:
Miss Crudup, of kittreII, white silk
trimmed in tips and pearls.
Miss Tempe Hill, of Raleigh, pink silk
covered with mOusseline, pink carnations
and smilax.
Miss Jessie Page, OF Aberdeen, bro.
caded silk and white hyacinths.
Miss Harris, of Henderson, pink or
CANDY and white hyacinths.
Miss Myrtle Harris, of Henderson, blue
organdy, lifacs and smiIax.
Miss Hines, of Henderson, pink Or
CANDY trimmed in black velvet.
Miss Magdaline Lands, Of Henderson.
white organdy over pink.
The table was artistically decorated
with rare and fragrant flowers, fruits,
&c. In the center was large block
of ice in which was encased beautiful
flowers and fruits of different kinds,
with the word ''Welcome" in cor
spicuous letters on either side. The
effect was very enique and attracted
admiring attention.
At intervals during the evening
Miss Mabel Harris, one of Hender-
sons accomplished young musicians,
rendered selections on the piano from
popular standard authors, adding in
terest and pleasure to the enjoyment
of the occasion.
Mrs. DR.. F. r. Harris and Mrs. f.
A. Watkins received. In gracious
ness of manner and happiness OF
style these ladies performed their
duties so as to put the guests Ell
rapport with the spirit of the occa'
sion. They were assisted by Messrs.
L. r. Gooch, James NJ. Young and
George Manning.
Thus ended an event long to be
remembered by every one whose goot
pleasure it was to be present, eacf
departing guest sharing the wish o
the other that Ma ]. and Mrs. Harri
may live to celebrate many NOR
birthday anniversaries.
The next morning Mrs. Harris glad
dened the hearts of a large number
of her little friends by giving them :
feast of dainty CONNECTIONS and ic
cream, and their enjoyment reached
state of perfection rarely seen
Although the Major was continual,
upon his feet mingling with tn
guests the evening before, he amused
himself at the children's party chas
ing among the little folks while play
ing games in the yard, and from tn
reports of some of them acquitted
himself as creditably as any.
Saturday evening third reception
was held. Mrs. Harris entertainin:
the young ladies who assisted her tn
night before. together with a fey
others, in honor of her niece, Mis-
Tempe Hill, OF Raleigh, and Mis-
Crudup, of kittrell.
Science With Grit.