The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-28

an eminent author, was in Albemarle
county. He met Capt. Micajah Woods.
who invited him to his house. The in
vitation was accepted, and Mr.. Black
saw much of the genial Virginia gem
tleman and his delightful family. or
course Mr.. Black was captivated by
the personality of the household In
which he was a guest, but he seems to
have especially admired the beauty
and grace of the face, form and char
acter of Miss Maud Coleman Woods.
Mr.. Black sought and obtained from
Miss Woods and her father permission
to photograph her in various poses,
promising that If the pictures We're
ever exhibited the name of the lady
should be carefully concealed.
Capt Wood and his daughter had
forgotten this, until December of that
year the young lady received a beauti-
fully bound and printed copy of Miss
America" a handsome book by Mr.
Black, which is attracting much atten-
ton, as it is devoted to the character
istics and tendencies of the American
girl of to-day. Miss Woods was natur-
ally gratified at receiving so beautiful
a souvenir from the author, but her
pleasure was not equaled by her aston
ishment when she saw that she was
the original of the illustrations
throughout the book Mr. Black had
graphs taken several months before.
The name of Miss Woods was not
used, but the likeness was perfect.
Mr.. Black obtained five photographs
of Miss Woods. From one he made the
beautiful design which appeared on
the cover of his attractive volume
When the photographs were returned
this one was retained by the artist as
a valued memento. II was this pho
tograph which found it's way-without
the knowledge of Miss Woods--to the
committee, and which led to a unani-
nous selection by these judges of grace
and beauty
But when in a little talk this morn
ing with Miss Woods the time was re-
called when, as young girl, she was
queen of the "Kirmess," and, a little
later was chosen from hundreds of
Southern beauties as the sponsor for
the Department of the Army of North
ern Virginia-the highest honor in the
gift of the United Confederate Veter-
ans Association--she smiled deprecat-
ingly. No, she had nothing to say
| about these things. She would talk
about the delightful fall weather, her
recent trip to Washington. of music.
books and fancy work-of anything
that was not for publication, but she
must be excused from speaking of
these incidents of her life that had
already given her such "undeserved
prominence"
Those who know Miss Woods know
that she is a splendid type of young
womanhood. Any who are somewhat
| doubtful as to whether the American
girl of to-day is the equal of her moth
err and grandmother may know she is
all that is best in woman. if the young
Virginia girl be fair type.
| Miss Woods is little more than
grown. She has brown hair, deep blue
| eyes and very fair skin, with delicate
! roses in her cheeks. She is of medium
| hight, rather slender and her every
movement is full of grace.
| Since her debut she has been con-
| sidered one of the beauties of Virginia,
al has received many distinguished
honors. She is exceedingly popular in
| social circles and has won as much
admiration for her lovely manners and
| sweet disposition as for her great
| beauty.
Her education was received at the
Virginia Female Institute. at Staunton.
under the tuition of Mrs. General j.
| e. B. Stuart, whose distinguished
| husband was kinsman of hers on both
| sides of her house. She possesses, be-
sides many other accomplishments. Al
rare talent for music. Miss Woods
took the only gold medal awarded at
| the Virginia Female Institute the year
she graduated.