Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1900-02-22
Written for the Beacon.l
Z MEDLE4ls NECK IN 1921.
AN "oid-riihs" Party.

were then considered and really were
sources. of almost untold enjoyment.
But. thei,best of all we're the old-time
winter parties. | will endeavor to give
you, dear reader, as nearly as / can, a
description of one Of these good, sub
stantial merry-makings. Of the long ago.
Away back in the year 1891 there lived
in Medley's NeckssaYeEal gentlemen Of
the old NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. were land
marks Of hospitality, Of that genuine
type cesepjoyed neyeEto be forgotten.
Promihe ht'among these gentlemen were
Mr.. Lewis Williams, 4 noble. hearted and
generorzgentiemah. Mr.. Williams then
owned and lived en- the farm now pos
sessed, 7 think, by the heirs of a most
estimable gentleman, the late James G.
GFeenwell.
Parties In those days went the rounds
lone at one gentleman's house this
week, at another's next week, and so on
till the holy season Of Lent drew its cur
tain over the gay season Of festivities
and changed IL intota tssfs orprayer, for
they knew how to pray as well as to be
merry. - 4
Most Of those then liyihgsin the Neck
were Roman Catholic people, who also
Taught their servants to pray and at
night, in Lent, the colored ones were
called into the great house to hear the
Lentcn prayer read and answer The Lit
auies. Alas how the scene has Chang
ed--but "Time ohsngeth all things"
But have not told you about fife par
~, so there goes" On certain night
in the month Of February, 10 the year
above mentioned, il so happened that II
fell to Mr. Williams lot 10 give a party,
which he did with that cheerful, open
handed, whole heartedness Of noble
son Of old Southern Maryland, the moth.
or OF the State, the home Of the real
gentleman.
Well, as the day drew near. you can
readily imagine eagerness and anxiety
grew apaee young ladies crimping their
rufiles and arranging their bes, dress,
lone fine dress being about all that was
deemed necessary even with tho wealth.
lest in those days. and numerous little
furbelows dear then as now to the true
woman-Ihe young gentlemen ~ eagerly
trying TO appear at a better advantage
than their friends.
Al last the day arrived, clear and cold,
with the ground hard frozen, this being
so much the better for the walkers, aud
many there were. As the sun sank low
In the west, and began to cast It's fading
beams over the placid waters u beauti.
ful Bdtton's Bay, the gay young folks.
and many Of the Older ones, began TO
gather at the hospiiable old mansion.
The ladies were shown to room TO re-.
move their wraps and hoods Their
dresses we're Of the beat material, MOTE
costly perhaps than now, and widely
differing 10 cut and style you may b.
sure "A man by the name - flames
BrVpson carried on tho shosussRiae bn.
iaess al st l.awrenoo's P5loi, aDii' had
acquired quite An enyfsble reputation ~
making superior dancing dippcrs. aud
no doubt many Of hia make were 10 eyj.
dencc On That occasion.
Darkness had already chased the last
ray OF light from the western skies. and
the candles were lighted in the tall, old.
fashioned candle sticks. A great hick.
DRY log fire blazed ehoerfully In the wide
arch. and the floors CLEANED spolless and
perfect, awaiting the uimble feet that
we're soon to yo evidence oftheir skill
upon them, All was in readiness; the
two fddlers, Sam Galloway aud Wat
Cole. sat In corner Of tho room, with
red cotton handkerchiefs tied neatly
about their heads, and with large shin.
ing buttons adjoining their blue fustian
jackets. The hrst "set" was made up,
and the dance began with the merry old
tune, Come haste 10 the Wedding
whilst the gay peAls Of laughter issuing
from rosy lps, mingled with the sweet
strains Of the violin aud the shutlling OF
feet Reader, Oan you not get into the
soul Of this old.time party and imagine
yourselfthere' Many Of you have doubt.
less been TO parties at lcas, similar TO
this one, and know Just how Il is.
In the spacious old dining.room stood
table upon which were old, heavy cut
glass decanters, hlled with the very best
brandies and wines, from which the
guests glasses at reasonable intervals
were filled and passed around, aud you
may be sure there was no stint. A col
ored slave OF Mr. Williams, named Ragus
Cough, kept up the fires and assisted In
the waiting. Old Aunt "Mocky" was in
attendance upon the ladies.
must not forget to tell you that at a
rather late hourof the night the Rev
Father Carberry called-not to the par
ty--he had been summoned TO the bed.
side Of Mrs, Dyer, some where near
the Red Gate, and knowing Mr.. vii.
liams' hospitality, and beingan intimate
friend, he wisely concluded 10 stop there
for the night, and thus escape the cold.
The good priest thought il a rich joke
to be called to the bedside Of the sick,