The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-08

there is the broad stretch of green prairie
justifyng the name-is an ideal home.
The broad veranda is covered at both ends
with climbing roses, and before the visitor
as he sits in one of the low comfortable
wicker chairs with which 1t is we'll pro-
vided there is a grass plot bordered by
hedge of cape jessamines, with a central
bed of bright nasturtiums, and over all
great oak trees, with their green branches
draped with the long gray moss that gives
our forests such a picturesque effect. To
the left a bridge, overhung by forest trees
and on the right another. with a trails of
wild grapevine, whose heavy clusters of
! fruit show the richness of the soil be-
meath.
home, where the culture of the generations
back of the hostess shows in every detail;
and with the modern improvements of a
city house. except the lighting. Here in
this delightful retreat the guests from
Houston fairly reveled in its charm Mrs
Willis showed that beneath the calm dig
nifty of her manner there was heart full
OF love for humanity and mind broad
enough TO take in its interests and needs
After a delightful morning spent in wan
dering among the roses-Mrs. Willis has
two thousand bushes OF them-and a din
ner daintily served and heartily enjoyed,
We we're driven back to Alvin by our host
and hostess to attend the flower show.
This show was under the auspices OF
the Ladies' Horticultural society. OF which
Mrs NJ. L. Southwick is president, and
was held in a long hall, artistically deco
rated with the skillful hands Of the society
members long shelf was arranged
around two OF the pillars that support the
central part Of the roof and draped with
Spanish moss in whose graceful curves
stood the roses entered for competitions
show Of brilliant colors against the soft
gray moss The pillars were twined about
with moss. frightened by clusters OF
crimson rambler roses.
The stage was very picturesauely deco
rated. Long lines OF the moss hung from
the ceiling. with the bright red OF the
same roses adding a touch OF brightness
/ TO It's soft tones The effect was OF some
I fairy cave with its stalsctites OF gray and
/ crimson. Flowers decked the line OF foot
/ lights and a curtain at the back was
covered with sprays OF roses
we were heartily and kindly welcomed
by the gentle women OF Alvin and were
soon called to our duty as judges of the
hahies This proved TO be a most difficult
task and as class after class was present
"a tn he chosen from We became more and
moro convinced that the babies Of South
Tevas are it's finest exhibit after all. They
we're 50 many and so pretty II was in
= deed difficult matter to chose from
,hem colonel Fontalne WAS our assistant,
hn, ~ decided that although the colonel
Vas n Judge Of genealogical tree, he
hadn't Inc courage to express an opinion
hahy. He quietly agreed to all we
IA tco courteous 10 disagree. Finally.
Ser MIR, Ryan and ! had gazed and
Ssrsd again on the sweet little faces be-
fore us, We gave the following decision,
IA H. nrst class from six months and
, ,,nio, Ms Ferris baby took the nrst ana
NJ Cummings the Second prize. In the
4 ssco,a On. year and under Mrs Beck
,sy,s h.hv the hrst and Mrs. Malcolm era
Sam.s Ire second, In the third. two years
and upaer. Mrs. A. B. Miller's baby took