The age-herald., 1898-09-04
Copyright. 1S9S.1

NTeenDTler, w nlle SulpnuT OpTluSo'
 After the war of 1872 there used to come here, in regular troops, children, "grown ups" and colored servants. Then came the war that devastated the south and made it, like phenix, to rise again from its ashes and for awhile, when the ashes were still warm, this old fash toned place had but few visitors. It's time was to come. There were too many memories about it for it to be neglected.
 Life seems one great round of love- making. These Springs were never meant for fast matrons or elderly spin sters, but they were dedicated to the beauty of youth, and it is supreme. The position of the mother of the average family here is that of looking after her chickens, big and little, seeing that Nanny's sash is tied or seeing that tome cousin has been brought along be- }ause her own mother is an invalid who cannot endure life at the White Sul- phur. In short, it is the position of a matronly hen over a very lively brood. If there is one dominant industry in the south, one would have to ladmit-that is, # one wished to be honest-that it is the Infant" one, for the average southern tamily has from four to II children. At wedding given near this place not so very long ago the great desire of the bride was to keep an old darky, com monly called Aunt Lizzy,' as far from her as possible, since it was believed that she possessed the mystic power, known as "the laying on of hands, which insured to the happy couple a handsome, healthy pair of twins before $he year was over.
 Girls used to buy Aunt Lizzy Howard to stay away, but she was inclined to be something of a-well, she was in- clined to tell what wasn't quite true So she would accept the present and then appear at the wedding and sta nd, ghoullike, at the door, ready to put her horrible black fingers, long and mys- tical looking, upon the white gown or veil of the unfortunate bride. Every southern girl for miles around knows about her, and every one of them dreads her. Not that they don't want to have tribe of children-that seems to be their greatest thappiness-but as young matron put it to- me, "If Aunt Lizzie. Howard does manage to .hoodoo' you it is not so much yourself that you care about but for some reason the gentle men seem to be guyed little bit about twins, and yet why should they?
 Just look at the doctor that attended gallant and religious Stonewall Jack son! Why, he had two or three sets of twins! And then think of poor General Hood with numerous pairs of twins! I do believe they were beautiful. I can't remember, but mamma says that when the Hood babies all came out with their nanny everybody used to laugh and say, There goes Hoods bat talion.' But you know we southern CTS like babies nightly, and I never can think that house Is really well furnished unless there are plenty of lit- tie folks and two or three well bred dogs"
 There is always at the White Sulphur one girl who is the belle. While there may be hundreds of pretty girls. still there is one each season who is trium- phant and to have been the belle at the White Sulphur and not to be engaged at its end and counted as a natron during the next means that the beauty was failure. The present one comes from close to the line that divides the north from the south. She is dressed simply for the best reason in the world. Her people have very little money to spend, and she has been brought here by rich cousin. She fixes over her frocks, and when one or two more handsomely dressed girls have pitied or scoffed at her she always says with a laugh: "Oh, I don't mind it as long as I look nice, and it is quite fun fixing over your things. You never know how they are going to turn out.'
 The white muslin dress is washed, fresh ribbons put on it. and the belle of the ball dances not only all through the night, but half the morning and the greater part of the afternoon. for at the Old White everybody dances I sonne- times think that is one reason why southern children are so graceful. Tak- en off for the summer, an awkward boy will be hauled in to fill up a square dance, and before he knows anything about anything he is getting compli- ments all around, and the prettiest girl there is saying to him, Why, Tommy, didn't know you could dance so well!" And tomorrow morning Tommy has the courage to ask some one to, dance with him, and soon his awkwardness goes away, while happy mother says to Toms mother, "Why, Mrs. Gordon, your Tom is getting to be real man." and Toms mother smiles and looks lovingly at the author of Toms being and says, Well he certainly don't get his good manners and his fine dancing from strangers" and the little jest is made much of and so life goes on in a very innocent manner.
 The belle of the ball is saying, "But I don't think our men would like it." The two soft brown eyes are looking up into yours, and these words are coming from two rosy, red lips. She is giving you her opinion as to what *our men like" From her youth up her brother has been trained to wait on her, but also from her youth up she has been trained to give the pretty little Thank you" the affec- tionate nod, the caressing word that is SO delightful to the heart of man and