The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-14

SO brilliant. It is owned by Mrs. Mary B. Thornton, the grandmother of Miss | Conner, and who is the only surviving member of the family of two generations l ago. She is sister of the late Governor John Gill Shorter, and has always been the central figure in the life of Eufaula. l The years have left their whitening l touch upon her hair but she Is still the brilliant and gracious figure that made | her famous in the old regime.
 She has dispensed a cordial hospitality l from her beautiful old home and receives with her young granddaughter of today with the graciousness that made her 1 famous in other years. 1 In her chair of rich brocade in the cen ter of the stately old drawing room she has held a brilliant court this week to her countless admirers.
 Everything associated with her has be- come part of her wonderful personality, and her generosity is so great as to make it privilege to be pauper at her gate.
 There are many hne old homes along the picturesque streets, suggestive of the colonial period and Eufaula Is like vast flower garden, sloping to the great trees beyond their branches interlacing.
 The finest and most expansive view of the city may be seen from Mount McNab the home of Dr. and Mrs. William N Reeves, and one of the finest houses arch itecturally in the south.
 It is like a French chateau and has superb setting of beautifully wooded terraces.
 The house has been the scene of prince ly entertaining. Dr. Reeves is the prince of hosts, and the most lavish hospitality was dispensed there for many years.
 The house is built for sumptuous enter tainlng, the double drawing rooms opening into a beautiful reception hall, and the fIaF
 The arrangement of the grand old stairway is very distinctive and the re- |, ception hall Is further ornamented by a superb Dutch fireplace. The state dining room is back of the drawing rooms. On the second and third floors are the pri- vate suites
 Eufaula Is just now at the height of its beauty and social life this week has meant that many of the fine old homes have been opened in honor of Governor and Mrs. Jelks.
 Among others entertaining have been Miss Cherry, who gave a brilliant card party Wednesday evening, and Miss John ston, who gave a musicale Thursday evening.
 On Wednesday evening there was CO., tillon danced at the club, and on Friday afternoon MT. Tandy Toney entertained at famous and beautiful Roseland, five miles from Eufaua.
 There were many driving parties for this occasion. and the romantic drive was all the more ideal since the moon, which always reserves a peculiar and special radiance for Eufaula, would have in- spired the brush of the painter, or the soul of the poet
 The sequels of the house party are yet to be told, but In the most poetical in- cident of the week Governor and Mrs Jelks are the central figures.
 On the evening of the reception, when many of the guests had said their good byes, Governor and Mrs Jelks, the center of an admiring group were the inspira- ton of a brilliant toast.
 A bottle of champagne, preserved since their wedding night, was opened and the guests drank from a loving cup to the health and happiness of Governor and Mrs. Jelks.
 It was the prettiest of scenes, the gov ernor looking very proud and happy, Mrs. Jelks very fair, and the tender sentiment of the moment impressed itself indellibly
 It was the governor who broke the silence. He turned to Mrs. Jelks.
 Miss Alice" he said. T want you to play my favorite song" And she walked across the brilliantly lighted hall, her satin gown trailing its white length. Seat ing herself at the piano she sang in the sweetest of voices, 70 Don't You Remem- Der Sweet Alice Ben Bolt, Sweet Alice With Eyes so Brown
 Outside on the balcony the Italian or chestra paused in Its melody as Mrs Jelks' sweet voice rang through the draw ing room.
 It was like scene from Arcadia. Eu- faula is really thrown like feur-ss~s-. over high wall, where for centuries the river sweeping by has reflected the tints of the foliage fringing the shores above and the moods of the changing skies